Taking kids abroad!

Call his bluff. You may know that he has a lawyer but how is he to know that you haven''t consulted a lawyer (in trust)?

It is stupid and ridiculous what he is putting you though and your children also. The idea that you might loose a one week holiday, the enjoyment and also the cost just because he is bitter and is a control freak (unless of course you have either threatened to abduct his children from UK jurisdiction or he has serious reason to believe so) is untenable.

Let him know that you are prepared to go to court for a case in damages unless he can confirm his reasons for not allowing your holiday or that he has a valid order of court preventing your 1 week away.

I really do not see even if he did have an order that there would be merit in it (and I would be asking for repayment of your costs of the holiday and some recompensation for the distess caused as a minimum).

I think he might instantly backtrack if he even thinks you are serious and without a reply I would take that to the airport with you as evidence just in case you do encounter border control just in case he has carried through with his threat and they take it seriously.

Really it is a storm in a teacup and he needs to stop and think about what he is doing for someone he no longer has a relationship with and also his children whom he is stopping having a normal life.

Life is way way too short without this sort of ball.

Update - I went to the court today and got an Order to allow us to leave the country. Also applied for Residency and Parental Responsibility orders (one off fee of £200 for everything if you apply at the same time.)to try and prevent this happening again. The Judge wouldn''t look at the other orders at this hearing - said I would have to wait til the next hearing in Nov. Why do they always seem so male biassed?! Anyway - off to Spain tomorrow so can relax for a week at least.

Would like to send you a big THANKS Fiona - X

I''m glad you got the SIO and hope you enjoy your holiday.

The Judge refusing to look at the Residenc and Contact Orders is not male-bias. it is standard - unlike the Specific Issue oRder, they are not urgent orders, they are orders which will determine what happens in the long term and your ex (however unreasonable he is, and it does sound as though he is *very* unreasonable) does have the right to put his case. It would be the same if it had been a father making an appliation at very short notice. It''s similar to applying for an injuction - the Judge has to make the least invasive order s/he can, as a short term measure until they can deal with the case properly, with input from both parties.

glad you got the order Angie

Enjoy

Survive

Happy to help. Hope you and the children enjoy a relaxing holiday.

Yes, sorry, I should clarify. My comment about the judge being biassed was a non-sequitor, relating to his attitude through the whole proceedings and not realted to the fact he wouldn''t look at the long term orders.