Court Report: Indirect contact with half-siblings

This case concerned R, the half-sister of two younger siblings. R wished to have indirect contact with her siblings through letters.

A report produced by a Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass) officer supported R in her claim for indirect contact with her half-brother and sister. The officer believed that indirect communication with their sister would be beneficial for the children as it is important for them to learn about their background and heritage.

The father of the two younger siblings did not want them to have any contact with R.

He believed that this was a "backdoor" attempt for the children's mother, also the mother of R, to be reintroduced into the children's lives when she had not played any part in their lives for a considerable time. The court at first instance took account of the father's concerns and refused R's application for indirect contact.