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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

How will court view a parent failing to turn up for a custody hearing?

4 replies

ThereWillBeSun · 15/02/2021 16:58

A friend of mine has been fighting for regular access to his ds for years. After the relationship ended, his ex moved across the country with their child and refused access. Every time she's stopped access the courts have reinstated it, criticised her actions etc. Shortly after Christmas she stopped access again, and so my friend had to restart court proceedings.

Context is that she's not allowing any phone contact or anything and he's had no contact from them since early January now, and then she has failed to appear for the virtual court hearing this afternoon. Obviously this raises instant concerns regarding safety and my friend is going to speak to ss/police for a welfare check as a matter of urgency. However, after that (assuming they're all safe and there was no valid reason for failing to appear), AIBU to think that the court will be taking a very poor view of her not turning up?

OP posts:
ChazP · 15/02/2021 18:04

Judges do not take kindly to no-shows. She may be given the benefit of the doubt this time, but if it happens again, she may find orders being made in your friend’s favour.

Motorheadmum · 15/02/2021 18:06

A judge wouldn't look very favourably on it. I had this with the ExH and it went very badly against him. He didnt turn up for a few then had the nerve to rearrange!

ThereWillBeSun · 15/02/2021 18:30

It's not the first time she's been obstructive, she's been reprimanded (for want of a better word) for her actions in ceasing contact and not working with the court before.

OP posts:
Hazelnutlatteplease · 15/02/2021 18:32

If your not there in the (virtual room) be aware you've only got his word for what is happening

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