Landmark Family cases

Relocation applications require genuine motivation and realistic proposals benefiting child welfare.

Household contributions can create constructive trust interest in family home

House of Lords establishes equality principle in divorce financial settlements

Contribution arguments rarely justify departure from equality principle in financial provision.

Court of Appeal confirms sharing principle and limits of special contribution in big money divorce

Established classic definition of marriage as voluntary union between one man and woman.

Child's welfare is paramount; no presumption favoring natural parents over other carers.

Legal sex determined by chromosomal, gonadal and genital factors at birth.

Woman gains property interest through detrimental reliance despite no financial contribution

House of Lords establishes children's right to consent to medical treatment

Court can override competent minor's refusal of life-saving treatment

Unproven allegations of child abuse cannot found care proceedings under threshold criteria.

Civil standard applies in care proceedings but probability varies with allegation seriousness.

Gillick-competent children cannot make binding refusals of life-saving medical treatment.

House of Lords clarifies when appeals courts can overturn family judges' discretionary decisions

Court authorizes separation of conjoined twins despite certain death of weaker twin

Transsexual marriage rights incompatible with human rights law

Courts have inherent jurisdiction to protect vulnerable adults from forced marriage.

Wrongful removal under Hague Convention requires breach of actual custody rights.

Threshold criteria must be assessed at the time proceedings are commenced.

Supreme Court gives prenuptial agreements decisive weight in divorce settlements

Domestic violence allegations require proper judicial fact-finding in children proceedings.

Whether courts have jurisdiction to set aside a valid adoption order outside of appeal procedures.