A and B (Child Arrangements: Parental Alienation)

This judgment was delivered in private. The judge has given leave for this version of the judgment to be published on condition that (irrespective of what is contained in the judgment) in any published version of the judgment the anonymity of the child[ren] and members of their [or his/her] family must be strictly preserved. All persons, including representatives of the media, must ensure that this condition is strictly complied with. Failure to do so will be a contempt of court.

(i)                   Why has the children�s relationship with their mother deteriorated?

(ii)                 Does the father hold hostile views about the mother, have those views been expressed to the children (either deliberately or unconsciously), and have the children been �alienated� from their mother by the father, whether deliberately or through exposure to his views about their mother?;

(iii)               Alternatively, can the dynamic between the children and their mother be explained by the mother�s own behaviour towards the father and/or the children, or by a combination of (other) factors?;

(iv)               Have the children suffered harm in the care of either parent, and how capable are the parents of meeting the children�s needs, including their need to have a relationship with the other parent?;