Custody and Maintenance

Conditions for Review of orders

A review of court orders in children cases must abide with O.45 of the Civil Procedure Rules, 2010.

Custody and Maintenance

Change of schools

Changing a child from one school to another is not in their best interests.

Custody and Maintenance

Substantial Loss

Denying a mother custody of a girl of tender years is evidence of substantial loss.

Custody and Maintenance

Consistent Routine

Children need a consistent routine including during weekdays. Access orders must be stable.

Custody and Maintenance

Stay of Execution

Where there is no change of circumstances stay of execution will not be granted.

Custody and Maintenance

Jurisdiction

A children's court cannot issue custody for children outside its jurisdiction.

Custody and Maintenance

Stay of Execution

Application for Stay of Execution should be made without undue delay.

Custody and Maintenance

PRA

Parental Responsibility Agreements can be vitiated just like any other contract.

Custody and Maintenance

GITHUNGURI V GITHUNGURI

Court of Appeal decision that reaffirmed the Tender years principle.

Custody and Maintenance

Financial Instability

A parent's financial instability does not automatically disqualify them for actual custody.

Custody and Maintenance

Access Orders

Where a court makes custody orders in favor of a party it must make access orders also.

Custody and Maintenance

SEPARATION OF CHILD

Not in best interests separating a child from a parent who has had custody for long period of time.

Custody and Maintenance

PHYSICAL ABUSE BY A PARENT

As a safeguard, courts must ensure an abusive parent is not granted custody of a child.

Custody and Maintenance

The wishes of a mature child

The wishes of a mature child "above the tender years" maybe taken into consideration fully.

Custody and Maintenance

Exception to Tender years rule

A mother's busy schedule is not an exceptional circumstance to the tender years rule.

Custody and Maintenance

Custody by resident parent

Actual custody to a resident parent is critical to ensure the child's best interests are met.