Our client, the Mother, instructed us to resist an application made by the Father for the return of their 4 children from England and Wales to Abu Dhabi. The parties had relocated to Abu Dhabi some time ago but had maintained their connection with the UK and both the children and parents had British Citizenship.

Upon finding out that the Father had taken a second wife, the parties separated and the Mother relocated to the UK with the children against the Father’s wishes. Our client’s case was that there had always been an agreement to return to the UK but the Father vehemently denied this.

The court was convinced by our client’s evidence that the children had built a life in the UK, and the Father’s actions since the parties separated were such that if the children were to return to Abu Dhabi, it would be unfamiliar to them and not in line with the life they had previously. The Father’s application was refused and our client was able to remain in the UK with her children.