At Quebec Law Solicitors, we regularly assist parents who are being denied contact with their children due to disputes following separation or divorce. This is never an easy situation—especially where allegations are involved that cast doubt on a parent’s integrity. In one recent case, we successfully acted for a father in Leeds who was prevented from seeing his young son by his former partner, despite no legal basis for the refusal.
Background to the Case
Our client had previously enjoyed regular, positive contact with his son following separation from the child’s mother. However, the mother abruptly terminated all contact, alleging that the father had been speaking negatively about her to the child—allegations that our client strongly denied. The mother insisted that such conversations were emotionally harmful and refused to reinstate any form of contact, including supervised visits.
The father, understandably distressed by this development, approached Quebec Law for advice. He had maintained a calm and cooperative approach throughout the separation process and was deeply concerned about the impact of the abrupt cessation of contact on his relationship with his son.
Navigating False Allegations
Our first step was to carefully review the mother's allegations and the timeline of events. The client was able to provide recordings from in-home cameras (installed for safeguarding reasons) which demonstrated that the alleged conversations had not occurred. These recordings provided a clear, contemporaneous record of the father’s interactions with the child during contact visits at his home. There was no evidence of denigrating remarks or attempts to alienate the child from his mother.
We submitted a robust position statement to the court, supported by this objective evidence. In doing so, we made clear that the allegations, though serious in nature, were unsupported by any reliable documentation or witness testimony. We also emphasised the child's right to maintain a relationship with both parents, in accordance with section 1 of the Children Act 1989, and argued that the refusal of contact was not in the child’s best interests.
Court Findings and Outcome
During the course of proceedings, the court was satisfied that the allegations made by the mother were unlikely to be genuine. The judge noted that the father had gone to considerable lengths to maintain transparency and had cooperated fully with CAFCASS and the court throughout. Importantly, the court found that the evidence provided by our client contradicted the mother’s claims and that her refusal to facilitate contact lacked justification.
As a result, the court granted a Child Arrangements Order reinstating regular contact between the father and his son, including overnight stays. Provisions were also made to ensure that future communication between the parents would be managed in a structured and respectful way, with a Parenting Plan introduced to support consistency.
How We Helped
This case highlights the importance of early legal advice when false allegations are made in the context of family proceedings. Our team worked swiftly and thoroughly to protect our client’s rights as a parent, while maintaining a child-focused approach throughout.
False allegations can have a profound impact—not only on the accused parent but also on the child caught in the middle. With our guidance, the client was able to demonstrate his credibility and secure the re-establishment of a meaningful, ongoing relationship with his child.
If you are facing similar issues involving parental contact or malicious allegations, contact Quebec Law Solicitors for clear, strategic advice. We understand the emotional challenges of family disputes and are here to help you find the best outcome for you and your child.
Contact our family law team today:
Tel: 0113 345 4114
Email: info@quebeclaw.co.uk
Office: Quebec Law Solicitors, Leeds