In the matter of W and J (Care Order)

The Minister for Health and Social Services ("the Minister") applies for leave to appeal the decision of the Bailiff and Jurats Clapham and Crill of 20 February 2012, sitting in the Royal Court, granting interim contact to A and D in respect of the two children, W and J, and if leave is granted for a stay pending appeal. On 28 February the Royal Court handed down its judgment and refused leave to appeal.

I do not propose in this short judgment to set out the background which is fully set out in the judgment of the Royal Court.

I am grateful to the Minister and to the other parties for their helpful submissions which I have read together with the other documents submitted.

The Royal Court refused leave to appeal for the reasons set out in the Bailiff's letter of 28 February.

I have read the judgment of the Royal Court. With respect, it is clear, detailed and thorough. It sets out the position of the Minister, A and D, and the Guardian with conspicuous fairness. It evaluates the evidence of Mrs Stark, on behalf of the Minister, and of the Guardian. In my judgment the Royal Court was bound to undertake that exercise. The Royal Court preferred the evidence of the Guardian to that of Mrs Stark, as it was entitled to do.