Failed by the Family Courts—Seeking Justice in Strasbourg

by A Mother Seeking Justice

Failed by the Family Courts—Seeking Justice in Strasbourg

by A Mother Seeking Justice
Human rights
Lawyers: Duncan Lewis Solicitors Ltd
United Kingdom
A Mother Seeking Justice
Case Owner
A mother’s children were abducted. Afterwards, procedural failings in the English family courts overlooked alleged human-rights breaches. She is now taking her fight to the European Court of Human Ri
Funded
on 19th December 2025
£7,740
donated of £10,000 stretch target from 296 pledges
A Mother Seeking Justice
Case Owner
A mother’s children were abducted. Afterwards, procedural failings in the English family courts overlooked alleged human-rights breaches. She is now taking her fight to the European Court of Human Ri
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Latest: Feb. 25, 2026

Update post submission

I would like to update you that the application to the European Court of Human Rights has now been formally submitted. We are currently awaiting the Court’s decision on admissibility.

In the meantime,…

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We represent a client whose children have been abducted from her care. She has been a victim of domestic abuse for many years and has been through lengthy court proceedings in the UK regarding her children. She is now looking to make an application to the European Court of Human Rights. The case involves the challenges that left-behind parents face in court proceedings, where judges have the power to make orders without applications being made and without the opportunity to analyse all of the facts or properly consider the welfare of the vulnerable individuals (including children) who are involved. 


Our client’s case also involves alleged breaches of her and her family’s human rights, particularly their right to a private and family life, due to failings of the court system. It highlights the challenges of individuals participating in family court proceedings in England due to the psychological impact that their experiences have had on them, as well as the complexities of the experiences of victims of domestic abuse whose families have relocated to different countries. Our client’s court proceedings highlight what we feel are systemic failings with the family court system, where parents whose children have been abducted are not allowed to give complete evidence regarding their complex and traumatic experiences. 

This is particularly apparent for victims of domestic abuse, whose experiences need to be heard in the light of their lived experiences. We consider that this case is likely to have a wider impact on other individuals, particularly women who have lived through child abduction and gender-based violence. We also consider this case to be important as it is rare for cases involving UK family court decisions to go to the European Court of Human Rights, or for the overlap between human rights law and family law to be recognised by the courts.

Our client requires funding to cover the cost of bringing a case before the European Court of Human Rights, to cover the legal fees of expert lawyers and the cost of expert evidence. Without your assistance with funding this case, our client may not be able to bring this important case forward.

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Update 2

A Mother Seeking Justice

Feb. 25, 2026

Update post submission

I would like to update you that the application to the European Court of Human Rights has now been formally submitted. We are currently awaiting the Court’s decision on admissibility.

In the meantime, we will continue gathering further evidence and strengthening the support behind the application. This process is ongoing, and we remain deeply grateful for your continued support in this important matter.

Thank you again for standing with us.

Update 1

A Mother Seeking Justice

Dec. 21, 2025

Initial target reached. Thank you!

I am deeply grateful for the overwhelming support, generosity, and solidarity shown in helping reach the initial funding goal.

Your support has made it clear that my case is not isolated but part of a wider, systemic failure that affects many survivors of domestic abuse and our children.

The application to the European Courts of Human Rights is now being actively prepared. Your support has made that possible.

I will share further updates as soon as I have them.

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