Nick Stonor KC, head of 7BR’s Family Team, instructed by Hilka Hollman at Dawson Cornwell LLP solicitors, appeared for C, by her Children’s Guardian, in LB of Brent v. A, B and C [2025] EWHC 44. C, who was aged 16 ¾ year old, was living in a safe house in Denmark. She had fled the UK reporting fears of ‘honour-based violence’ from her family because of her sexuality. The local authority had issued wardship proceedings and, supported by C’s parents, sought a return order under the inherent jurisdiction. The case involved complex jurisdictional issues and a nuanced welfare analysis. Observing that there was “no easy answer to this case”, Theis J agreed with C’s Guardian that the application for a return order should be refused and that steps should be taken to ensure that C was no longer “in limbo between two jurisdictions”. In a postscript to her judgment, Theis J noted that the wardship proceedings were ultimately concluded with the Danish authorities agreeing to C being placed in Denmark pursuant to Article 33 of the 1996 Hague Convention.
You can read the full judgment here.
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