Family Law

In AO the parents were Hungarian nationals who both worked and lived in the UK. The mother was unable to have the baby terminated as she was at 25 weeks gestation when medical professionals were contacted. Both parents wished for the baby to be relinquished upon birth and adopted in the UK.

As a result of the similar issues in these cases Baker J heard them together. In judgment he gave leading guidance which addressed in particular:

1. the jurisdiction of the court to make placement and adoption orders;
2. application of s 1 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002;
3. guidance to local authorities when addressing the parents wishes and feelings, confidentiality and consent;
4. whether the test of 'nothing else will do' is applicable;
5.  Application of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.