Lucy Chapman, instructed by Hazlehurst Solicitors in complex private children proceedings, was successful in disproving multiple allegations of sexual assault and rape of a child by the father.
Lucy secured findings that the mother and social work professionals had influenced the child in making the allegations, and that the mother had acted unreasonably. The week long fact finding hearing followed 18 months of complicated proceedings in which Lucy represented the father, in what were the fifth set of multi-jurisdictional proceedings since the birth of the child, where similar issues and replicative allegations were raised.
In the event of no findings of sexual assault being made, the mother also sought a finding that the father had acted in an insensitive manner towards the child in giving personal care, and that was unreasonable. This was not proven.
Lucy further negotiated with the mother for lengthy direct unsupervised contact to resume between the father and child the day immediately after the hearing, despite there having been a gap in contact of two years, and the guardian’s recommendations not being before the court yet, save an indication any reintroduction ought to be gradual.
Lucy’s client, who had travelled from Europe for the hearing and thought he would not be able to see his child for months to come, was delighted with the outcome.
Lucy’s full profile: https://greatjames.co.uk/members/lucy-chapman/