Family Court - The Inside Story

In this shorter than usual episode Phil says his goodbyes plus introduces you all to Kate, the new podcast host. We talk about the past, present & future, how this podcast will hopefully make a difference in some people’s lives

In this episode we talk to Madi, who for years thought her father didn’t love her, when in fact her own mother (who she trusted with her life as a child), had been filling her head with lies about him in order to ensure Madi couldn’t have a relationship with him. Madi’s mum was bitter about the relationship breakdown between her and Madi’s father, so she set about using Madi as a weapon in order to punish the father (her ex-husband). Madi spent her childhood wondering why Daddy didn’t love her, a difficult thing to understand when you’re a child. It was even harder because Madi’s brothers still had a relationship with their Dad, so as you can imagine Madi would’ve wondered why her? Why not her brothers too, what had she done wrong? Many years later Madi figured this out, and despite finding happiness in finally having a relationship with her father, she realised what her mum had been doing for all those years. Madi’s story is heart breaking and heart warming all at the same time. This is sadly a story that goes beyond Madi, many times abusive parents try to alienate (or whatever term you choose as they’re all the same thing), their child from the other parent. This story is one that shouldn’t ever be repeated, but it is still being done. Children are not pawns, they’re not weapons. If you use them like this then you’re an abuser pure & simple, you’re abusing your ex by denying them a relationship with their child, plus you’re abusing your own child. If there is no abuse involved in the break down of a relationship where a child’s involved then both parents deserve a relationship with their child, and the child should enjoy a safe and loving relationship with both mother and father. Madi’s story will resonate with many people, we can only hope that this kind of behaviour stops. The only way of doing this is by educating judges and magistrates on what it is, why it’s done, how to spot an abuser and crucially how to deal with it effectively.

We begin Season Two with a 2 part episode. In this part we welcome Dr Adrienne Barnett who we’ve spoken to before, she’s one of the founder members of SHERA who are responsible for a lot of the research we see ending up in Family Court. In these two episodes we investigate what Parental Alienation, is it real or is it a Pseudo-science as some claim? Could PA be somewhere in the middle of the two. In these episodes we attempt to leave you, the listener with the ability to make up your own mind. We go into these episodes with an open mind in order that you can’t claim any bias by us as a podcast. I’m confident that Professor Ben Hine in episode 1A and Dr Adrienne Barnett in episode 1B both made their true feelings known and put across what their beliefs are as well as the evidence that backs up their own position. The question you have to ask yourself at the end of listening to these episodes is does PA exist? If it does, then what is classed as PA? If it isn’t a real science, then why isn’t it? What is the evidence telling us? We as a podcast remain in the centre of these conversations, none of this is fixed, both guests were respected and gave a good account of their beliefs. Neither will say they were put under any unwarranted pressure, they both were able to put across their own beliefs and their own evidence. Now it’s down to you, what do you believe? I hope this starts a conversation. So if you want to discuss this then use the hashtag #DarkWorldPAChat

We begin Season Two with a 2 part episode. In this part we welcome Professor Ben Hine who is the author of the leading book on Parental Alienation. In these two episodes we investigate what Parental Alienation, is it real or is it a Pseudo-science as some claim? Could PA be somewhere in the middle of the two. In these episodes we attempt to leave you, the listener with the ability to make up your own mind. We go into these episodes with an open mind in order that you can’t claim any bias by us as a podcast. I’m confident that Professor Ben Hine in episode 1A and Dr Adrienne Barnett in episode 1B both made their true feelings known and put across what their beliefs are as well as the evidence that backs up their own position. The question you have to ask yourself at the end of listening to these episodes is does PA exist? If it does, then what is classed as PA? If it isn’t a real science, then why isn’t it? What is the evidence telling us? We as a podcast remain in the centre of these conversations, none of this is fixed, both guests were respected and gave a good account of their beliefs. Neither will say they were put under any unwarranted pressure, they both were able to put across their own beliefs and their own evidence. Now it’s down to you, what do you believe? I hope this starts a conversation. So if you want to discuss this then use the hashtag #DarkWorldPAChat

A very special episode of ‘A Dark World - Family Court, the inside story’. In this episode we celebrate the Royal Awards, as we learn more about what they are but more importantly what goes on behind the scenes, as we speak to Royal Awards CEO Dr Claudine Duberry. We are proud that this podcast along with the host are finalists in this years awards, the ‘Voice of the Vulnerable’ award for the podcast, nominated in the first instance due to the fact that in every episode we do indeed give a voice to the vulnerable, after all we speak to parents who are at a really scary moment in their lives as one or both are at risk of losing their child in Family Court. Our host Phil is also a finalist in the ‘Overcoming Adversity’ award, this is because he’s come from surviving two domestic abuse relationships, including the attempted murder by one of his ex partners, to run this podcast and talking week in, week out to other victims of domestic abuse, plus he’s spent the last two years volunteering as a McKenzie Friend (assisting people who can’t afford legal help and don’t qualify for legal aid), he’s spent those two years studying Family & Criminal law for the benefit of others. Despite pounding his own mind full of other people’s domestic abuse situations, he’s managed to come out on the other side having helped many people keep their children in a loving family home. He has also been campaigning to the government to try and reform family court for the better, releasing a fully costed plan for accountability with the support of the Domestic Abuse Commissioner. However, the awards are simply a by-product of something so much bigger, whilst the awards takes on one out of 365 days, its the work that goes on for the other 364 days that matters most. Dr Claudine Duberry takes us on a journey through those much more important days, explaining why the phrase ‘Raising Our Youth as Leaders’ is so important. The youth are our next group of leaders and yet so few get equal opportunities in life, hence why the Royal Awards are the centre piece to something so much bigger. Listen as Dr Claudine Duberry explains more. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Royal Awards for recognising the important work we do, plus every single guest we’ve had on the show in the past, each one makes this show what it is. Worldwide we have had millions of listeners, showing that Family Court has issues globally. With your help we strive to improve Family Court and keep more children with decent parents and work hard to ensure that children do not have to put up with being abused or witnessing abuse. If that can be achieved then both the work we do and the work Dr Claudine Duberry does can work in tandem to ensure a better future for the next generation. Finally, every single guest so far is welcome to join me at the ceremony, tickets are still available, on what will be a memorable night for us all. Enjoy this special bonus episode as you wait for season two to begin properly in a few weeks time. (Season two, episodes 2 & 3 will be released at the same time as we tackle one of the most controversial topics in Family Law right now). Introduction theme music by Philip Anderson - https://click.pstmrk.it/3s/uppbeat.io%2Ft%2Fphilip-anderson%2Fachievement/vZub/zg2wAQ/AQ/ed6d6644-c454-454e-b3a4-4225029b43f9/4/hbS3TrSQ3v

This is the final episode of Season One and what a start it’s been. This podcast started off as a vehicle to help people talk about their experiences of Family Court, it ends with an explosive episode, 100 minutes long as we name names, we show absolute evidence that Family Court is beyond repair. We catch up with @JadeWelshy (Twitter Name) for the 2nd time after a week where she shared documents which prove without doubt that Social Workers, Cafcass, Judges, Solicitors and Barristers all told lies in her case. I’ve spoken to enough people now and volunteered as a McKenzie Friend, which allowed me to see it first hand, Family Court is sadly broken and it’s ruining lives, especially the lives of the children, the very people it’s supposed to protect. We cover how Domestic Abuse is handled, we talk about Parental Alienation, we tackle the difficult subject of barristers and solicitors working for abusers, and ask How do they sleep at night? We then throw open an invite, actually no, we demand that Episode One of Season Two should be a discussion with Justice Minister Alex Chalk (if he refuses to come on like he has done so far then to me and all of you, he is ignoring what is happening in Family Court). Alex Chalk, I know you’ll read this, so I’m asking nicely, but firmly, come on this podcast and tell us how you’re going to resolve these issues that are destroying lives. Getting a staff member to write to me twice is not enough, I don’t want to read your political waffle, I want you to come on and tell the millions of listeners all over the world, how you are going to make the UK’s Family Court system a great model for the rest of the world to follow. When this podcast started I was a bloke sitting in a flat in North Wales hoping and dreaming we might eventually get 1000 listeners, we’ll it’s gone way beyond that and we are up for an award at the British Podcast Awards 2023, we surely should be taken seriously now. This episode is a definite unmissable listen. Jade reveals her soul among all her evidence, a victim of domestic abuse and a victim of Family Court. Find yourselves 100 minutes, put on this podcast and try to dare to tell me Family Court is OK

In this episode we look at domestic abuse and how to safely escape it whilst at the same time preparing yourself for Family Court. It’s not just about having an escape bag ready especially if there are children involved. How should you prepare for Family Court whilst planning your escape. It’s so sad that anyone finds themselves in this position, sadly many do. Today Sonia has some important advice that you really should listen to, especially if it’s you right now who needs to escape but prepare for what might come after you escape.

This episode has it all, a very special episode with the fascinating Dr Adrienne Barnett, a non-practicing Barrister who’d served for 30 years in total but 25 as a Family Law Barrister, who is now easily classed as an expert. Phil and Adrienne chat over all Family Law

Apologies for the poor audio quality in this episode from the host. Jo stepped in to give a home to her Nephew in order to stop him going into care. A Special Guardianship Order was put in place and things were going fine, the father was having as much contact as he wanted……..but then Jo’s world turned upside down when a rogue solicitor put in a fake C100 claiming it was a mum vs dad case when in fact it wasn’t. This solicitor (who is named and shamed in this episode) has not only taken legal aid money under false pretences, the child is now living at risk and all we can do is pray he doesn’t become yet another statistic. The SGO remains legally in place to this day but Jo does not wish to disrupt this little boys life anymore, all she can do is pray he’s ok.

In this special episode we hear the story of Phil, his plans for reform (accountability), his writing, being a McKenzie Friend, the podcast and a direct plea to Mr Alex Chalk, the new Justice minister for the government who has a chance to make history. This is my story

When you and an ex struggle to communicate due to many reasons, many of which are felt by people everywhere, co-parenting can be very difficult. In this episode we discuss this very subject and more. Advice on how to co-parent effectively for the benefit of an innocent child. Failure to communicate can quickly result in alienating behaviours if not dealt with. More often than not it’s one parent causing the issues. It can be very difficult to co-parent with some people, who are hell bent on making life difficult for the other parent despite how it affects the child. We don’t have all the answers, but we hope that maybe one or two people out there benefit from this episode. Thanks to @JCardozoMarsh for her time.

In this episode we speak to Jade (@JadeWelshy on Twitter) who has recently had to go as far as the High Court to complain about her mental health being used against her, meaning that she is living her life without the child she gave birth to and loves more than anything. Currently her abusive ex has full custody of their child and she’s having to have supervised visits, because her ex’s legal team managed to convince the judge that Jade’s mental health apparently shows she can’t look after children. However, Jade currently successfully looks after her three step children. How on Earth can a court use someone’s mental health against them, despite her already looking after 3 children. Cafcass and the local authority both using mental health to punish her, it’s sick and wrong. Jade admits to her mental health issues, with most of them being caused by her abusive ex, yet her ex gets to have their child full time. Jade’s appeal to the high court was rejected as without merit. So the high court fell for the mental health narrative too. After listening to this podcast, as yourself a simple question, did Jade sound like she didn’t know how to look after children?

A story of a young boy who’s future was in the hands of a rogue Recorder (A barrister who can have several sessions sitting on the bench in #FamilyCourt) and a CAFCASS officer hell bent on destroying a child’s future happiness. You’ll hear the lengths one parent went to keep their child safe, away from an abusive parent who had intermittent contact with the child, put a knife to her throat and tried to kill herself on another occasion, a parent that rejected their child in favour of alcohol. Telling the authorities she wasn’t in the right mental state to look after her child. This story spans the width of the Atlantic Ocean, and goes right to the root of what is wrong with the Family Court system. Yet another exposé of a failing system.

Luba’s story includes medical negligence, lack of basic human rights such as medical choices, family connections, social services cover up’s, a criminal conviction and more. It’s so wrong how someone who just wants basic care for her daughter ends up with the threat of prison. What is wrong with this country? It’s easy to point fingers at countries like Qatar for its human rights issues, but why aren’t people looking closer to home? Luba’s daughter has not been protected by the very court with protection in its name, how can that be right? Dominic Raab has questions to answer and he is being called out by me right now. Ignore me or answer me, it’s up to you Mr Raab, but the world has listened and is now waiting for your response

In this episode we look at a fathers journey through family court. How a father who discovers that his ex wife with whom he has an amicable relationship, and a working arrangement with access to the children suddenly finds out via during an unexpected court hearing that his ex wife had passed away, but Cafcass working with the grandparents suddenly rip his world apart by taking his children away. This episode shows Cafcass at their very worst. How can it be that one rogue Cafcass officer is allowed to do this? Why does Family Court not initially realise what is going on? Regardless of the ending of Dean’s story (I’ll leave that for you to all find out by listening, and trust me this is worth listening to), the questions still remain - Why did Cafcass do this to a grieving Father who had already worked out suitable child arrangements with his ex wife that worked for the children (for school, friends etc)? Why didn’t the court recognise what was happening at first? Surely this episode proves that Cafcass aren’t fit for purpose.

In our first episode of A Dark World - The secrets of Family Court we tackle on of the most debated subjects in Family Court matters; Is the presumption that shared care is the right option for children, especially when domestic abuse is a factor? To help me answer that question I have a graduate member of the British Psychological Society, someone hoping to train on the doctorate in clinical or counselling psychology to become a charted psychologist. Someone who is knowledgeable on how real life subjects affect people. We know that not every judge presumes 50/50 is right in every case, but there is certainly a huge number who do. They simply don’t care about what it might do to a child, they think it’s ok to on occasion rip a child from a home they’ve grown up in with a loving parent, to be put in the care of an abuser 50% of the time. We explore what this does to a child. This is an unmissable episode, a great start to the life of this podcast. We know this will divide opinions, and that’s ok because healthy debate is a good thing. If you want to debate this episode then head on over to www.ADarkWorld.co.uk and look for the link to our new forum. It’s free to join. You could also join the debate on Twitter by using the hashtag #ADarkWorldEp1