In a case that has sent shockwaves through the UK's family court system, a clinical psychologist's evidence led to twelve children being removed from their mothers before her testimony was completely discredited and discarded by a High Court judge.
The Controversial Evidence
The psychologist, who cannot be named for legal reasons, provided what has been described as "unsafe" evidence in multiple family court cases. Her assessments and recommendations formed the basis for decisions that saw children separated from their mothers in what now appears to be a grave miscarriage of justice.
Judge's Scathing Ruling
Mr Justice Williams delivered a blistering judgment, throwing out the psychologist's evidence entirely. The judge found numerous flaws in her methodology, conclusions, and overall approach, raising serious questions about how expert witnesses are vetted in sensitive family law matters.
Families Torn Apart
The consequences of the flawed evidence were devastating. At least twelve children across multiple cases were removed from their mothers' care based largely on the psychologist's recommendations. Families endured months of separation and emotional trauma before the truth emerged.
Systemic Failures Exposed
This case has exposed worrying gaps in the family justice system's safeguards. Legal experts are now calling for urgent reforms to how expert witnesses are approved and how their evidence is scrutinised in child protection cases.
Ongoing Investigations
The psychologist involved now faces multiple investigations from professional bodies, while the affected families are seeking answers about how such flawed evidence could have been accepted by the courts in the first place.
The case has prompted calls for greater transparency in family courts and more rigorous standards for expert witnesses whose testimony can have life-altering consequences for vulnerable families.
