Protecting a Mother and child from an arranged marriage

Marie represented a Mother, a foreign national who had come to the UK with her husband, who was also a foreign national but had a British passport, after an arranged marriage. During their short marriage he had been physically, verbally and emotionally abusive and coercive and controlling.

For financial reasons, he sent her and their new-born baby back to their country of origin. She returned to the UK without his knowledge and was placed in a refuge for her protection. Her husband discovered she was in the country and tried to persuade her to meet. He also issued an application for a CAO.

Marie successfully applied for a Non Molestation Injunction against him, and for the Mother’s whereabouts to remain confidential.

The CAO application will be dealt with at a FHDRA hearing in due course. The Mother has made a cross-application for an order that the child lives with her and a Prohibited Steps Order that the Father be prohibited from removing the child from her care.