Why are Mothers rewarded for International Child Abduction part 2

Justice4Children | 16:59 Tue 13th Apr 2010 | Family & Relationships

4 Answers

A few days later I was served with an order at my grandparents home, a non molestation order which prevented me going near my home or seeing my kids, this supposedly to prevent any difficult situations until the case would be heard. I later received another order for me to pay her living expenses and costs of bills and mortgage at the house!

My barrister told me at the case for Permission for Leave to Remove from the Jurisdiction, that I had absolutely no chance of winning as the 5 pieces of case law are about the emotional well being of the mother. I suggested that this was against gender discrimination law in the Human Rights Act, my Barrister agreed but said it would do me no good in the court. CAFCASS advised at the court that the children should live with me. I had such a powerful case and evidence of physical abuse by the maternal grandmother and much more. However my barrister regularly reminded me that no matter how good a case I had my chances of winning were very fine.

The judge sentenced my children to live with their mother abroad against their wishes. They have been gone 5 years now but I drive 1000 miles every month across 4 countries to be with them, the cost is crippling but worth it.

My now ex wife was rewarded with 80% of everything I had. 50% + up to 30% for 3 or more children is a rule of thumb. The divorce cost me over quarter of a million, I now have £87,000 of debts over 5 loans and negative equity in my home and a deep sadness in my heart and empty children's bedrooms.

So my question is this - Why do the courts reward mothers for abduction? Is it perhaps because destruction of the family is big business for the legal profession and by creating a bias in the law they perpetuate this business?

ref: Payne v Payne (case law)