The Children Act 1989, wardship and the British Indian Ocean Territory: child protection on a military base

Maya Achan, Coram Chambers

In this article, Alex Laing, barrister, and Maya Achan, pupil barrister, both of Coram Chambers, explore the contentious history of the British Indian Ocean Territory (‘BIOT’), and the impact of recent litigation in the BIOT Supreme Court, in particular that concerning the use of wardship and the Children Act 1989. Fifty-six years after the brightly coloured flag of independence first fluttered and the Champ de Mars Racecourse celebrated independence, the combination of the modern version of an archaic duty of allegiance to the Crown and our flagship, domestic child protection legislation has come to the aid of vulnerable, asylum-seeking children. The authors discuss this important judgment (CT, RT, AAA, RK, KT) in which the assessment, support and protection of these children have been secured. 

The full article has published in the August issue of Family Law.  Find out more or request a free 1-week trial of Family Law journal. Please quote: 100482