Family Solicitors

A mother that “failed” her children by letting them play computer games and other electronic devices without limits has lost her custody battle after a High Court judge ruled that her “permissive” parenting style had negatively affected them.

According to the court, the 41 year old, that has not been named, was more of a “friend” rather than a parent to the boys, aged 11 and 14, which led to them struggling at school with irregular bedtimes and absent days becoming a common occurrence.

Judge Harris said: “The mother has, in my judgement, consistently failed to meet their educational needs and therefore risks compromising in particular [the older boy's] educational prospects. It is likely that [the younger boy] would be in the same situation as he grew older.”

Judge Harris ruled that the two boys should now live with their father due to the harm being done by their current upbringing. The court heard that the father had struggled to keep in touch with his children since the couple split in 2002 due to their mother's “almost pathological” hatred of him.

Jude Harris concluded: “He [the father] has, in my view, demonstrated far better insight into the needs of his teenage and pre-teenage boys, for example around issues of guidance and boundaries, than the mother.”

Duncan Lewis' experienced team of family solicitors specialise in acting for parents and children during custody proceedings and other disputes arising from couples separating. With several offices in London, we can reach you within the hour. Our team is available 24/7, 365 days a year.