Our articles are written by experts in their field and include barristers, solicitors, judges, mediators, academics and professionals from a range of related disciplines. Family Law provides a platform for debate for all the important topics, from divorce
and care proceedings to transparency and access to justice. If you would like to contribute please email
emma.reitano@lexisnexis.co.uk.
‘What’s in a name?’
© Copyright LexisNexis 2024. All rights reserved.
Mary Welstead Visiting Professor in Family law University of Buckingham
In Re C Cobb J explained the importance of a name for a child’s identity; a Local Authority could only rename a child in its care in his or her best interests.
C a baby boy was taken into care and placed with foster parents pending a final care order. His mother had registered him with the name of Mia Adonis after the Barbadian female prime minister.
The Local Authority applied for leave to change C’s name because Mia was a female name. He risked being ridiculed in the future.
Cobb J granted leave to the local authority to make the application but the final order would depend on the decision about C’s future. If C were to live with his paternal family who disapproved of the name Mia the Local Authority’s application would be granted; it would be unrealistic to expect the family to call C Mia. Should...
Read the full article here.
