Would courts consider a new application for contact where the youngest child is 15?

[ContactlessMartha]

Where neither child want contact and where the non resident parent has by their own choice not had any contact for over a decade.

Will the court consider it? You'd certainly hope so in a fair legal society

Will the court grant or enforce it? Depends on the circumstances, it's a bit of a one sided view so far

Just to add woby I have actively encouraged contact for the last 12 years, took no maintenance and paid for ex to travel and see them and paid for days out for them when he couldn't afford.

I have done absolutely everything I can to encourage him to see them.
It was him that stopped coming not vice versa.

So the question remains if he is so poor then how/why can he afford court proceedings and what does he stand to gain when they are of an age when their opinion counts? Something has obviously triggered him into action?

Well firstly he is just threatening at the moment and not actually going.

He isn't poor. He used to tell me he couldn't afford to come and then after I had paid posted on social media about stuff he has bought on the same day. Not sent the kids anything because he can't afford but then his mate has posted thanking him for his (fairly expensive) gift.

I have screenshot after screenshot of me messaging him encouraging him to come because he lies.

I'm not sure whether the new girlfriend has been asking why he doesn't see them and he doesn't want to look bad to her.

Or

It's because the kids have now said they don't want to see HIM rather than the other way round and he doesn't like it.

At 13 my ds decided he wanted to live ft with me. Now nc with df and nothing done about it!! At around 12 their wishes and feelings are taken into account.

Thanks all. Youngest only turned 15 in December so still ages to go yet.

I have always supported contact and am not against it despite a disclosure by one of them to school about his behaviour.
But I'm just not sure how on earth I would force a 15 year old to go to access with him if enforced.

It is very unlikely an order will be made against the child's wishes assuming their wishes are clear

This sums it up nicely. the only effect the application can have is that the child is told the parent is interested in seeing them. Cafcass may be appointed to do a wishes and feelings report.

It is unlikely any contact would be ordered at that age. Especially against the childs wishes and feelings. contact is for the child not the parent. your child is also old enough to get their own legal advice and solicitor if needed.