In re T (A Child)

Subject Matter

CHILDREN — Inherent jurisdiction — Secure accommodation — Local authority wishing to place child in unapproved secure children’s home outside statutory scheme — Local authority applying for order under court’s inherent jurisdiction authorising placement depriving child of liberty — Whether lack of valid consent on part of child necessary condition of jurisdiction arising — Children Act 1989 (c 41), s 25 — Human Rights Act 1998 (c 42), Sch 1, Pt I, art 5 — Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 (anaw 4), s 119

[2018] EWCA Civ 2136; [2020] Fam 1; [2019] 2 WLR 1173; [2019] 1 FLR 965; [2018] WLR (D) 711, CA

CHILDREN — Inherent jurisdiction — Secure accommodation — Local authority wishing to place child in unapproved secure children’s home outside statutory scheme — Whether authorisation of such placement permissible exercise of inherent jurisdiction — Children Act 1989 (c 41), ss 25, 100 — Human Rights Act 1998 (c 42), Sch 1, Pt I, art 5 — Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 (anaw 4), s 119

[2021] UKSC 35; [2022] AC 723; [2021] 3 WLR 643; [2021] 2 FLR 1041; [2021] WLR(D) 428; The Times, 16 August 2021; Press summary, SC(E)

Appellate History

Legislation Considered

Statutes

Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 (anaw 4), s 119

Human Rights Act 1998 (c 42), Sch 1, Pt I, art 5

Children Act 1989 (c 41), ss 25, 100

Cases Considered

Cases considered in: In re T (A Child) [2018] EWCA Civ 2136; [2020] Fam 1; [2019] 2 WLR 1173; [2019] 1 FLR 965; [2018] WLR (D) 711, CA

Cases Cited

Cases cited in: In re T (A Child) [2018] EWHC 576 (Fam), Fam D

In re C (A Child by his Guardian) (No 3) [2016] EWHC 3473 (Fam); [2017] 2 FLR 875; (2017) 20 CCL Rep 219, Fam D

In re K (A Child) (Secure Accommodation Order: Right to Liberty) [2001] Fam 377; [2001] 2 WLR 1141; [2001] 2 All ER 719; [2001] 1 FLR 526, CA

In re W (A Child) (Secure Accommodation Order) [2016] EWCA Civ 804; [2016] 4 WLR 159, CA

Surrey County Council v P (Equality and Human Rights Commission intervening) [2014] UKSC 19; [2014] AC 896; [2014] 2 WLR 642; [2014] PTSR 460; [2014] 2 All ER 585; [2014] WLR (D) 140; Case details, SC(E)

Cases cited in: In re T (A Child) [2018] EWCA Civ 2136; [2020] Fam 1; [2019] 2 WLR 1173; [2019] 1 FLR 965; [2018] WLR (D) 711, CA

Buzadji v Republic of Moldova CE:ECHR:2016:0705JUD002375507; 42 BHRC 398, GC

De Wilde, Ooms and Versyp v Belgium (No 1) CE:ECHR:1971:0618JUD000283266; 1 EHRR 373

Gillick v West Norfolk and Wisbech Area Health Authority [1985] UKHL 7; [1986] AC 112; [1985] 3 WLR 830; [1985] 3 All ER 402; [1986] 1 FLR 224, HL(E)

In re A Child (No Approved Secure Accommodation Available: Deprivation of Liberty) [2017] EWHC 2458 (Fam); [2018] 1 FLR 621, Fam D

In re C (A Child by his Guardian) (No 3) [2016] EWHC 3473 (Fam); [2017] 2 FLR 875; (2017) 20 CCL Rep 219, Fam D

In re C (Detention: Medical Treatment) [1997] 2 FLR 180, Fam D

In re K (A Child) (Secure Accommodation Order: Right to Liberty) [2001] Fam 377; [2001] 2 WLR 1141; [2001] 2 All ER 719; [2001] 1 FLR 526, CA

In re M (A Minor) (Secure Accommodation Order) [1995] Fam 108; [1995] 2 WLR 302; [1995] 3 All ER 407; 93 LGR 127; [1995] 1 FLR 418, CA

M v Secretary of State for Justice [2017] EWCA Civ 194; [2017] 1 WLR 4681; [2017] WLR (D) 235, CA

Storck v Germany CE:ECHR:2005:0616JUD006160300; 43 EHRR 6

Surrey County Council v P (Equality and Human Rights Commission intervening) [2014] UKSC 19; [2014] AC 896; [2014] 2 WLR 642; [2014] PTSR 460; [2014] 2 All ER 585; [2014] WLR (D) 140; Case details, SC(E)

The Secretary of State for Justice v RB [2011] EWCA Civ 1608, CA

Cases cited in: In re T (A Child) [2021] UKSC 35; [2022] AC 723; [2021] 3 WLR 643; [2021] 2 FLR 1041; [2021] WLR(D) 428; The Times, 16 August 2021; Press summary, SC(E)

A City Council v LS [2019] EWHC 1384 (Fam); [2020] Fam 28; [2019] 3 WLR 475; [2020] 1 All ER 652; [2019] 2 FLR 1197; [2019] WLR (D) 316, Fam D

A Metropolitan Borough Council v DB [1997] 1 FLR 767, Fam D

Al Rawi v Security Service [2011] UKSC 34; [2012] 1 AC 531; [2011] 3 WLR 388; [2012] 1 All ER 1; [2011] WLR (D) 228; Case details, SC(E)

Attorney-General v De Keyser’s Royal Hotel Ltd [1920] AC 508; 36 TLR 600, HL(E)

Barking and Dagenham London Borough Council v SS (No 2) [2014] EWHC 4436 (Fam); [2015] CN 57, Fam D

Birmingham City Council v D [2019] UKSC 42; [2019] 1 WLR 5403; [2019] PTSR 1816; [2020] 2 All ER 399; [2020] 1 FLR 549; Case details, SC(E)

DG v Ireland (Application No 39474/98) (2002) 35 EHRR 33, ECtHR

DL v Bulgaria (Application No 7472/14) (unreported) 19 May 2016, ECtHR

Dorset Council v AB [2020] EWHC 1098 (Fam), Fam D

Gillick v West Norfolk and Wisbech Area Health Authority [1985] UKHL 7; [1986] AC 112; [1985] 3 WLR 830; [1985] 3 All ER 402; [1986] 1 FLR 224, HL(E)

HL v United Kingdom CE:ECHR:2004:1005JUD004550899; (Appn no. 45508/99); (2004) 40 EHRR 32; Press summary, ECtHR

Health Service Executive of Ireland v Z [2016] EWHC 784 (Fam); [2016] Fam 375; [2016] 3 WLR 791; [2017] 1 FLR 1236; [2016] WLR (D) 178, Fam D

In re A (Children) (Care Proceedings: Deprivation of Liberty) [2018] EWHC 138 (Fam); [2019] Fam 45; [2018] 3 WLR 1905; [2018] 3 All ER 732; [2018] 2 FLR 319, Fam D

In re A (Children) (Conjoined Twins: Surgical Separation) [2000] EWCA Civ 254; [2001] Fam 147; [2001] 2 WLR 480; [2000] 4 All ER 961; [2001] 1 FLR 1; [2000] 3 FCR 577; 9 BHRC 261; 57 BMLR 1; [2000] HRLR 721; [2001] UKHRR 1; [2000] Lloyd’s Rep Med 425, CA

In re A-F (Children) (No 2) [2018] EWHC 2129 (Fam), Fam D

In re AB (A Child) (Deprivation of Liberty: Consent) [2015] EWHC 3125 (Fam); [2016] 1 WLR 1160; [2016] 2 FLR 601; [2015] WLR (D) 432, Fam D

In re B (A Child) (Association of Lawyers for Children intervening) [2019] EWCA Civ 2025; [2020] Fam 221; [2020] 2 WLR 568; [2020] 3 All ER 375; [2020] 2 FLR 25; [2019] WLR (D) 646, CA

In re C (A Child by his Guardian) (No 3) [2016] EWHC 3473 (Fam); [2017] 2 FLR 875; (2017) 20 CCL Rep 219, Fam D

In re C (Children) (Child in Care: Choice of Forename) [2016] EWCA Civ 374; [2017] Fam 137; [2016] 3 WLR 1557; [2017] 1 FLR 487; [2016] WLR (D) 204, CA

In re C (Detention: Medical Treatment) [1997] 2 FLR 180, Fam D

In re D (A Child) (Deprivation of Liberty) [2015] EWHC 922 (Fam); [2016] 1 FLR 142; [2015] 3 FCR 60; [2015] COPLR 209; [2015] CN 597, Fam D

In re F (Mental Patient: Sterilisation) [1990] 2 AC 1; [1989] 2 WLR 1025; [1989] 2 All ER 545; [1989] 2 FLR 376, HL(E)

In re H (Minors) (Sexual Abuse: Standard of Proof) [1996] AC 563; [1996] 2 WLR 8; [1996] 1 All ER 1; [1996] 1 FLR 80, HL(E)

In re K (A Child) (Secure Accommodation Order: Right to Liberty) [2001] Fam 377; [2001] 2 WLR 1141; [2001] 2 All ER 719; [2001] 1 FLR 526, CA

In re L (An Infant) [1968] P 119; [1967] 3 WLR 1645; [1968] 1 All ER 20, CA

In re M (A Minor) (Secure Accommodation Order) [1995] Fam 108; [1995] 2 WLR 302; [1995] 3 All ER 407; 93 LGR 127; [1995] 1 FLR 418, CA

In re PS (Incapacitated or Vulnerable Adult) [2007] EWHC 623 (Fam); [2007] 2 FLR 1083, Fam D

In re R-J (Minors) (Fostering: Person Disqualified) [1999] 1 WLR 581; [1999] 1 FLR 605, CA

In re W (A Minor) (Medical Treatment: Court’s Jurisdiction) [1993] Fam 64; [1992] 3 WLR 758; [1992] 4 All ER 627, CA

In re X (A Child) (Jurisdiction: Secure Accommodation) [2016] EWHC 2271 (Fam); [2017] Fam 80; [2016] 3 WLR 1718; [2017] 2 FLR 1717; [2016] WLR (D) 484, Fam D

In re X (A Child) (No 3) [2017] EWHC 2036 (Fam); [2018] 1 FLR 1054, Fam D

In re Z (A Child: DOLS: Lack of Secure Placement) [2020] EWHC 1827 (Fam), Fam Ct

Koniarska v United Kingdom (Application No 33670/96) (2000) 30 EHRR CD139, ECtHR

Kurt v Austria (Application No 62903/15) (2021) 74 EHRR 6, ECtHR (GC)

Lancashire County Council v G [2020] EWHC 2828 (Fam); [2021] 2 FLR 34, Fam D

Lancashire County Council v G (No 4) [2021] EWHC 244 (Fam); 2021] EWHC 244 (Fam), Fam D

M v Ukraine (Application No 2452/04) (unreported) 19 April 2012, ECtHR

Osman v United Kingdom (Appn no 23452/94); [1999] 1 FLR 193; (1998) 29 EHRR 245, ECtHR (GC)

Privacy International v Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs [2021] EWCA Civ 330; [2021] QB 1087; [2021] 2 WLR 1333; [2022] 1 All ER 25; [2021] WLR(D) 144, CA

R v Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, Ex p Spath Holme Ltd [2001] 2 AC 349; [2001] 2 WLR 15; [2001] 1 All ER 195, HL(E)

Rabone v Pennine Care NHS Trust [2012] UKSC 2; [2012] 2 AC 72; [2012] 2 WLR 381; [2012] PTSR 497; [2012] 2 All ER 381; [2012] WLR (D) 23; Case details, SC(E)

Steel v United Kingdom (Application No 24838/94) (1998) 28 EHRR 603, ECtHR

Storck v Germany (Application No 61603/00) (2005) 43 EHRR 6, ECtHR

Sunday Times v United Kingdom (Appn no 6538/74); [1979] ECHR 1; (1979) 2 EHRR 245, ECtHR (GC)

Surrey County Council v P (Equality and Human Rights Commission intervening) [2014] UKSC 19; [2014] AC 896; [2014] 2 WLR 642; [2014] PTSR 460; [2014] 2 All ER 585; [2014] WLR (D) 140; Case details, SC(E)

Wellesley v Duke of Beaufort (1827) 2 Russ 1, Ch D

Z County Council v M [2019] EWFC B72

Z v United Kingdom [2001] 2 FLR 612, ECtHR

Subsequent Consideration

Cases subsequently considering: In re T (A Child) [2021] UKSC 35; [2022] AC 723; [2021] 3 WLR 643; [2021] 2 FLR 1041; [2021] WLR(D) 428; The Times, 16 August 2021; Press summary, SC(E)

Cases subsequently considering: In re T (A Child) [2018] EWCA Civ 2136; [2020] Fam 1; [2019] 2 WLR 1173; [2019] 1 FLR 965; [2018] WLR (D) 711, CA

Cases citing

Cases citing: In re T (A Child) [2018] EWHC 576 (Fam), Fam D

A Local Authority v SW [2018] EWHC 816 (Fam), Fam D

Cases citing: In re T (A Child) [2018] EWHC 816 (Fam), Fam D

A Local Authority v SW [2018] EWHC 816 (Fam), Fam D

Cases citing: In re T (A Child) [2018] EWCA Civ 2136; [2020] Fam 1; [2019] 2 WLR 1173; [2019] 1 FLR 965; [2018] WLR (D) 711, CA

A City Council v LS [2019] EWHC 1384 (Fam); [2020] Fam 28; [2019] 3 WLR 475; [2020] 1 All ER 652; [2019] 2 FLR 1197; [2019] WLR (D) 316, Fam D

A City Council v X [2021] EWHC 123 (Fam), Fam D

A Local Authority v M [2021] EWHC 2066 (Fam), Fam D

AS v CPW [2020] EWHC 1238 (Fam); [2020] 4 WLR 127; [2020] 2 FLR 1000; [2020] WLR (D) 525, Fam D

Berg v Tower Hamlets London Borough Council [2024] EWFC 92; [2025] 4 WLR 15; [2025] 1 FLR 105, Fam Ct

Birmingham City Council v D [2019] UKSC 42; [2019] 1 WLR 5403; [2019] PTSR 1816; [2020] 2 All ER 399; [2020] 1 FLR 549; Case details, SC(E)

Blackpool Borough Council v HT (A Minor, by Her Children's Guardian) [2022] EWHC 1480 (Fam); [2023] 1 FLR 100, Fam D

Derby City Council v BA (No 1) [2021] EWHC 2472 (Fam); [2021] WLR(D) 479, Fam D

In re B (A Child) (Association of Lawyers for Children intervening) [2019] EWCA Civ 2025; [2020] Fam 221; [2020] 2 WLR 568; [2020] 3 All ER 375; [2020] 2 FLR 25; [2019] WLR (D) 646, CA

In re H (Interim Care: Scottish Residential Placement) [2020] EWHC 2780 (Fam); [2021] 2 FLR 107, Fam D

In re J (A Child) (Deprivation of Liberty: Inherent Jurisdiction) [2020] EWHC 2395 (Fam); [2021] 1 FLR 1054, Fam D

In re M (A Child) (Secure Accommodation) [2018] EWCA Civ 2707, CA

In re S (Child in Care: Unregistered Placement) [2020] EWHC 1012 (Fam); [2020] 2 FLR 605, Fam D

In re X [2023] EWHC 129 (Fam); [2023] 2 FLR 545, Fam D

In re Z (A Child: DOLS: Lack of Secure Placement) [2020] EWHC 1827 (Fam), Fam Ct

Lancashire County Council v G [2020] EWHC 2828 (Fam); [2021] 2 FLR 34, Fam D

Lancashire County Council v G (No 4) [2021] EWHC 244 (Fam); 2021] EWHC 244 (Fam), Fam D

Manchester City Council v CP [2023] EWHC 133 (Fam); [2024] Fam 96; [2024] 2 WLR 115; [2023] 2 FLR 610; [2023] WLR(D) 234, Fam D

R (AR) v Waltham Forest London Borough Council [2021] EWCA Civ 1185; [2021] PTSR 1777; [2021] WLR(D) 458, CA

Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council v C [2021] EWHC 1814 (Fam); [2022] 1 FLR 1334, Fam D

Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council v W [2021] EWHC 1982 (Fam); [2022] 1 FLR 1226, Fam D

Cases citing: In re T (A Child) [2021] UKSC 35; [2022] AC 723; [2021] 3 WLR 643; [2021] 2 FLR 1041; [2021] WLR(D) 428; The Times, 16 August 2021; Press summary, SC(E)

A Local Authority v A Mother [2024] EWFC 178, Fam Ct

A Local Authority v C [2021] EWCA Civ 1527; [2022] Fam 265; [2021] 3 WLR 1425; [2022] 3 All ER 812; [2022] 1 Cr App R 9; [2021] WLR(D) 540, CA

A Local Authority v EBY (A Child) [2023] EWHC 2494 (Fam); [2024] Fam 123; [2024] 2 WLR 579; [2023] WLR(D) 420, Fam D

A Local Authority v KP [2023] EWHC 3102 (Fam), Fam D/Ct of Protection

A Local Authority v ZX [2024] EWCOP 30 (T2), Ct of Protection

AB v XS [2021] EWCOP 57; [2022] 4 WLR 13; [2022] WLR(D) 26, Ct of Protection

Conwy County Borough Council v PR [2024] EWHC 2964 (Fam); [2025] 4 WLR 16; [2025] WLR(D) 49, Fam D

Derby City Council v BA (No 1) [2021] EWHC 2472 (Fam); [2021] WLR(D) 479, Fam D

Derby City Council v BA (No 1) [2021] EWCA Civ 1867; [2022] Fam 351; [2022] 2 WLR 893; [2022] 2 FLR 1; [2021] WLR(D) 630, CA

Derby City Council v BA (No 2) (Practice Note) [2021] EWHC 2931 (Fam); [2022] 1 WLR 2723; [2022] 2 FLR 621; [2021] WLR(D) 560, Fam D

E v The Child and Family Agency of Ireland [2024] EWHC 1778 (Fam), Fam D

In re J [2024] EWHC 1690 (Fam); [2024] WLR(D) 355, Fam D

In re S [2023] EWHC 347 (Fam); [2023] 4 WLR 25; [2023] 2 FLR 1070; [2023] WLR(D) 98, Fam D

In re Troy (A Child) [2022] EWHC 3426 (Fam), Fam D

In re U (A Child) [2024] EWHC 228 (Fam), Fam D

In re X [2023] EWHC 129 (Fam); [2023] 2 FLR 545, Fam D

In re X (Child: Deprivation of Liberty: Lack of Placement) [2023] EWHC 3416 (Fam), Fam D

KL (A Minor : deprivation of liberty) [2022] EWCOP 24, Ct of Protection

Lincolnshire County Council v TGA [2022] EWHC 2323 (Fam); [2023] Fam 59; [2022] 3 WLR 1297; [2023] 1 FLR 978; [2022] WLR(D) 379, Fam D

Local Authority A v ZZ [2024] EWCOP 21, Ct of Protection

Local Authority v A [2024] EWHC 2476 (Fam); [2024] EWHC 2476 (Fam), Fam D

Local Authority v B [2024] EWHC 2477 (Fam), Fam D

London Borough v LC [2023] EWHC 2179 (Fam), Fam D

Manchester City Council v K [2022] EWHC 2687 (Fam), Fam D

Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust v JS [2023] EWCOP 12, Ct of Protection

Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust v JS [2023] EWCOP 33, Ct of Protection

Martin v Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust [2022] EWHC 532 (QB); [2022] 4 WLR 56; [2022] WLR(D) 124, QBD

Nottinghamshire County Council v LH (A child (No. 2) [2021] EWHC 2593 (Fam), Fam D

PS (Severe short term memory loss: Capacity to engage in sexual relations), Re [2024] EWCOP 42 (T2), Ct of Protection

R (ECPAT UK (Every Child Protected Against Trafficking)) v Kent County Council [2023] EWHC 1953 (Admin); [2024] PTSR 243; [2023] WLR(D) 400, KBD

The Father v Worcestershire County Council [2025] UKSC 1; [2025] 2 WLR 155; [2025] WLR(D) 64, SC(E)

Commentary

Transparency Project
Deprivation of liberty: Unlawful placements of children Case comment

UK Supreme Court Blog
New Judgment: In the matter of T (A Child) [2021] UKSC 35 Case comment

Case Comment: In The Matter of T (A Child) [2021] UKSC 35 Case comment