A judge has told of having ‘stumbled into an alternative reality’ when ruling in London‘s High Court in a battle between ex-partners over access to three-year-old twins who the mother says do not exist.
Lady Emma Arbuthnot has now said there is ‘some evidence’ that at least one child was born, in what she described as a ‘perplexing’ case.
An ex-husband from a separated couple has insisted he believed his wife was pregnant when they parted and gave birth to twin boys, who would now be aged three – and with whom he wants to have contact.
But his ex-wife denies ever being pregnant, while accusing her former partner of ‘coercive and controlling behaviour’ – and no births have been registered.
Yet the High Court heard there was evidence at least one child does exist, said by the ex-husband to have been born after the couple married in 2019 then split in 2020.
Lady Emma Arbuthnot has now said there is ‘some evidence’ that at least one child was born in a dispute between a former married couple, in what she described as a ‘perplexing’ case
London’s High Court (pictured) has heard there is evidence at least one child exists
Lady Arbuthnot said in her ruling that she believed a birth to have taken place in a private hospital though was unable to say where the child was now.
She also told of being ‘struck’ by the difficulties of exploring facts without lawyers representing the couple.
The judge added that ‘the Family Court cannot act as an investigator’ and that a different conclusion ‘may well’ have been reached with more evidence.
Leading family barrister Lucy Reed described such cases as ‘extremely challenging’ for family courts.
She said: ‘It would be difficult for an outsider to believe a tale involving the many twists and turns.’
