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Re Y [2026] EWFC 38: President clarifies alienating behaviour, sequencing of domestic abuse findings, and instruction of regulated psychologists; Part 18 preferred to appeal for set aside (England and Wales)

Published on: 04 March 2026

Published by a LexisNexis Family expert
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Re Y (Experts and Alienating Behaviour: The Modern Approach) [2026] EWFC 38 What are the practical implications of this case?

The President made it plain in this judgment at para [72] that he was sufficiently troubled by what had occurred in Re C [2023] EWHC 345 (Fam), by the subsequent cases already mentioned, and by Re Y itself, that he would go further and set out firm guidance on the instruction of expert psychological witnesses in children proceedings. In future, when scrutinising psychologists’ CVs, practitioners must take particular care to confirm that the proposed expert is duly registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) or is chartered by the British Psychological Society (BPS), thereby ensuring that the expert is suitably qualified and subject to professional regulation. Thorough familiarity with Re C, P v M [2023] EWFC 254, O v C [2025] EWFC 334, and the December 2024 Family Justice Guidance on alienating behaviour is essential to avoid mis-steps wherever alienating behaviour may potentially feature. The rationale for any enquiry into this must be grounded in the child’s behaviour, rather than allegations advanced. Any relevant domestic abuse must be determined before alienating behaviour can be assessed...

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