Five from No5 in the Court of Appeal

On 21 February 2025, the Court of Appeal handed down judgment in Re M (Care Order: Risk: Family Placement) [2025] EWCA Civ 163.

Stefano Nuvoloni KC and Kathryn Taylor represented the appellant mother. Lorna Meyer KC and Ricky Seal represented the respondent local authority. Richard Hadley KC provided written submissions on behalf of the respondent father. Kathryn and Ricky also appeared at first instance. 

The appeal was against a final care order approving a care plan to remove a child from her mother and place her with her paternal grandparents. The central issue in the case was whether the mother was able to protect the child from the future risks posed by the father (a convicted sex offender).

The appeal was allowed and the case remitted for further hearing.

The Court of Appeal’s judgment is available here.