Separated couple called daughter by different names, court hears
The case resembles a storyline on BBC Radio 4 soap opera ‘The Archers’
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A separated couple called their three-year-old daughter different names, a family court judge has heard.
The pair became embroiled in a dispute over where the little girl should live, with the details emerging in a ruling by a judge.
The case echoes a domestic abuse storyline featuring a separated couple on BBC Radio 4 soap opera The Archers.
Listeners have heard that characters Rob and Helen cannot agree on the name of their son. Rob calls him Gideon and Helen calls him Jack.
Mr Justice Hayden analysed the girl’s case at a hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London.
He said the girl lived with her father in London and her American mother lived in New York.
The woman wanted the judge to order the girl’s return to New York – where she had been born – but the judge refused the woman’s application.
He concluded the girl was "habitually resident" in the UK and integrated into London life.
Mr Justice Hayden said in a written ruling that a "striking fact of this case is that both parents call their child by a different name."
He said the man had told, when giving evidence, how "other people might think this was a bad idea" and had offered to use the name chosen by the girl’s mother.
The judge said that none of those involved could be identified.
He said the woman had become pregnant following a short "intense" relationship when the man was visiting New York on a business trip.
The girl had moved to London to live with her father nearly two years ago – with her mother’s agreement.
© Press Association
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments