The UK Supreme Court has refused appeals in cases where Westwater’s Lynda Brabender QC and Janys Scott QC appeared for the appellants, but acknowledges that the initiation of the challenges has served to uncover a gap in the children’s hearings system which, as a result, has had to be adapted to meet the requirements of article 8 in relation to siblings and other family members.
Janys comments:
“I am delighted to see the recognition given by the Supreme Court to the importance of sibling relationships. It is now up to local authorities, Reporters and children’s hearings to take account of these relationships and to operate in the practical and sensible manner commended by the Supreme Court, to ensure appropriate sibling involvement in decisions.”
The full text of the judgment is available at https://www.supremecourt.uk/cases/docs/uksc-2019-0063-judgment.pdf .