Melanie successfully argued that a mother who had several previous children removed a few years earlier should be able to keep a new baby under a supervision order. The mother has previously been subjected to domestic violence and drug addiction. Her baby was initially removed under an interim care order where a mother and baby … Continue reading
Melanie acted for a 15 year old with subtle but far-reaching speech and language difficulties. The child had very poor impulse control, low inhibitions, repeatedly self-harmed and absconded from both home and foster care placements. In an extreme decision the child was placed into a Detention Centre for her own safety for 6 months overall, … Continue reading
Melanie was successful in obtaining a Court Order for the return of child to her mother where the mother had learning and physical disabilities. An ICO was obtained at an interim stage but at the final hearing the child was returned and retained under a Supervision Order. Melanie successfully challenged the basis of the Local … Continue reading
Melanie acted for Roma Slovakian parents at Court in a trial involving the use of translators, cultural and jurisdictional issues, and a child with disabilities. She successfully obtained an order that the child be retained under a supervision order.