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Key points
Blandy & Blandy said in an announcement on its website that its Family Law team secured a further result in the case of FAZ v MAZ & Anor, after the Family Court handed down a costs judgment on 19 October 2026.
Key points
- The firm said it had previously acted for the father in the substantive judgment, presided over by The Honourable Mr Justice Poole, which considered allegations of sexual abuse raised within private law children proceedings.
- The firm said that, following a fact-finding hearing, the court concluded the allegations made against the father were not proven.
- According to the firm, Elizabeth Owen, an associate in its Family Law team, represented the father in that hearing together with Janet Bazley KC and Lucy Sprinz, both of 1GC Family Law.
- In the costs judgment, the firm said Mr Justice Poole found that some of the mother’s behaviour had been unreasonable and directed her to pay part of the father’s legal costs.
- Blandy & Blandy said it is recognised as a top-tier firm for Family Law by the Chambers UK Guide and The Legal 500.
Background to the case
The substantive judgment, FAZ v MAZ (Private Law: Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Child) [2026] EWFC 131, examined claims of sexual abuse made against the father during private law children proceedings. Blandy & Blandy said that, once those allegations were found unproven, the outcome allowed work to begin on restoring family relationships.
The costs ruling
In the later judgment, [2026] EWFC 301, the court examined whether the mother’s conduct justified departing from the normal practice that each side bears its own costs in private law children cases. Blandy & Blandy said the ruling offers further guidance on how courts approach costs where allegations of abuse are pursued in circumstances found to have contributed to unnecessary litigation.