SCC v FP & Ors [2022] EWCOP 30

‘Simon Garlick recently appeared for the local authority in SCC v FP & ors [2022] EWCOP 30 – a complex personal welfare dispute heard by a Tier 3 judge, resulting in interim orders preventing face to face contact between ‘P’, a woman with severe and enduring mental health problems, and her mother. The orders were made on the application of the local authority, and with the support of the Official Solicitor, notwithstanding that P herself wanted frequent face to face contact with her mother. The court found that the mother’s behaviour towards P, and staff supporting her, during contact,  which  was driven by ‘an irrational and justifiable belief that [her daughter] is a victim of a conspiracy of professionals to harm her’ was harmful to P.  As a result of the mother’s relentless complaints against professionals and her inability to consider P’s welfare the judge also granted a declaration permitting the local authority to restrict its consultation with the mother as to P’s best interests.’