Sara Davis & Kathryn Moran represented the Local Authority in a reported case recently

The case concerned applications made by the local authority for Female Genital Mutilation Protection Orders and Forced Marriage Protection Orders in respect of a child and her older sister who is over 18. The family are of Nigerian nationality and had been living in the UK since 2021. Their application for leave to remain was refused with no right of appeal and the family intended to return to Nigeria. The child and her sister raised concerns about being subjected to FGM and forced marriage if they were to return to Nigeria. 

In her Judgment, Ms Justice Harris provided guidance and a summary of the law to be applied in cases where tension exists between the Family Court and the Home Office when protective orders are applied for including assessment of risk, an analysis of the macro and micro factors and the availability of protective measures.

Link to full Judgment: https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Fam/2026/2865.html