The parties agreed that the next steps should be a referral to ICFA to assist the parties to come to an agreement as to when the Respondent Husband would have contact with the child, as recommended by Cafcass. Despite this, the judge decided that a guardian should be appointed to act on behalf of the child. Submissions were made by both parties to oppose this, however, to prevent the delay, the judge decided against the agreement.
INTERESTING POINTS – Despite parties being in agreement as to how a matter should proceed, the court can make any order within its powers if deemed in the best interests of the child.