Overview
- The appeal court refused permission to challenge the family judge’s ruling that the child should retain her father’s surname as part of her identity and paternal heritage.
- Mr Justice Peel overturned the earlier refusal to extend a non‑molestation order, ordering that protective injunctions continue until 2027.
- He cited an alleged breach of orders, the father awaiting a criminal trial, and a police investigation into historical rape allegations as grounds for the extension.
- Family court fact‑finding in 2023 concluded the father committed four very serious sexual assaults against the mother between 2015 and 2017, including rape.
- The court ordered the father to pay £5,000 toward the mother’s £13,000 costs, and judges criticized his lack of insight during proceedings.