Judge raps dad’s child removal

A judge has criticised a vigilante father who took family law into his own hands by flying his two young daughters back to England.

The British pair had separated about three months after moving to Canada in August 2012. Six months later the vigilante father texted his wife, saying he was “back in England” with their children. He emailed her a week later, saying that the daughters would only return to Canada following instructions from his solicitor.

Mrs Justice Pauffley said the man “unilaterally” removed the children – now four and two – knowing that it would cause their mother “immense distress”. She was speaking after the children’s mother had applied for their “summary return” to Canada at the High Court in London. The judge said it was “indisputable” that the girls had acquired “habitual residence” in Canada, and said the mother’s case was “quite overwhelming”.

Mrs Justice Pauffley, in a written ruling published on a legal website, said “(the father) chose to take the law into his own hands” and had no right to take the decision to bring the children here. None of the concerned parties can be identified for legal reasons.

Our Family and Matrimonial team helps families across West London and Bucks. For advice, contact a member of the team, call us on 01494 790058 or email familylaw@ibblaw.co.uk.