The mother contacted us after the Final Order was made, desperate to see if the court's final order could be changed, as her child’s well-being was declining as a result of the contact arrangements made in the final order. Our client had already suffered long, protracted court battles and litigation, but thankfully, we were able to help resolve the situation.

Throughout the proceedings, both parties acted as litigants in person, representing themselves for significant periods of time. This contributed to delays and repeated court hearings.

To begin with, the court directed that the child and father have contact using a contact centre to give adequate support. The father was also directed to undergo drug testing.

Over the years, the child became increasingly reluctant to attend contact sessions. As contact increased, concerns grew about the child’s emotional well-being. The child’s health and welfare deteriorated to the point that she was prescribed medication to help with her well-being. The school also raised concerns about safeguarding and well-being. Importantly, even the father acknowledged that the child’s health appeared to be declining. Despite the child’s deterioration, contact continued.

In 2025, a detailed final order was made. The order set out a stepped approach to rebuilding contact between the child and father, the plan being to progress from voice notes to video calls and then to in-person. This was despite the many years during which contact had been shown to have a profoundly negative impact on the child.

How we supported our client

Following a free half-hour consultation with us, we advised our client to make an urgent application back to the court.

From reviewing the case so far, it was clear that continuing contact in line with the existing order was not in the child’s best interests, given the impact on her emotional and physical well-being.

We supported our client throughout the renewed court proceedings and represented her at a hearing at Wakefield Family Court. We ensured the court had a clear understanding of the concerns raised by our client, the school and the father himself regarding the child’s welfare.

The outcome

The court accepted that the child’s best interests weren’t being met and that their wishes and feelings needed to be prioritised.

The outcome we achieved was that contact between the child and father would take place in line with the child’s wishes and feelings. The mother would ensure that the father’s contact details remained available so the child could make contact when they wished to do so.

This outcome provided reassurance and stability for both our client and her child, while ensuring the child’s welfare remained the court’s primary consideration.