James Cleary, Samuel Coe, Louise Sapstead and Siân Waldron have all appeared in A Local Authority v Mother & Ors [2024] EWHC 3511 (Fam).
The case involved a teenage girl – Lucy – with significant ongoing health problems. Whilst in hospital Lucy started losing consciousness for lengthy periods and for no obvious medical cause. The local authority issued care proceedings on the basis that they suspected the mother and stepfather were giving Lucy overdoes of chloral hydrate – a sedative drug – and were concealing this from the medical staff.
The case was heard by Mrs. Justice Lieven. It involved extensive medical evidence around whether Lucy’s health problems could have caused the episodes of unconsciousness. The court decided however that the parents had been overdosing Lucy with the sedative drug.
Both parents were represented by King’s Counsel. James and Sam represented the local authority, whilst Louise and Siân represented the children.
The Judgement can be read here.
Authors
James Cleary
Samuel Coe
Louise Sapstead
