R BL (Supervision Order), Re

Ms Siobhan Kelly was instructed by Miles & Partners LLP on behalf of the Children�s Guardian

I am now going to give judgment in the case relating to R BL.� This judgment is given on the last afternoon of a five day hearing.� It is therefore by its very nature an extempore judgment, albeit that I am attempting to make it as full as possible in order to assist the parties and Mr. BL and the Local Authority in particular.� I anticipate that I will be correcting and adding to any transcript in order to produce a perfected final judgment.�

I have read all the documents filed and additional documents that have been handed to me during the course of the proceedings.� I have heard evidence from the social worker, Miss Hlengwa; Miss Van Rooyen and Mr. Campbell from the Amber Project; Dr. Rylance, Paediatric Consultant; from the father and from the Guardian.� I have also seen position statements from each of the parties and heard submissions.�

This case is governed by the Children Act 1989.� The welfare of any child is paramount and no order should be made unless it is in the interests of the child.� In coming to my decisions in this case I have borne in mind the paramountcy principle, the no order principle and the need to avoid delay.� I have applied the welfare checklist and considered those matters that the court must have particular regard to as set out in s.1 of the Children Act 1989, in particular:

� The ascertainable wishes and feelings of R considered in the light of her age and understanding;