Family court judge rules on if children exist

No births had been registered, and there was no supporting evidence in medical records.

But the court heard and saw other evidence that a child or children do exist.

Lady Emma Arbuthnot described it as a “perplexing” case and acknowledged the family court lacked the tools to investigate thoroughly.

The judgement was published, external on Wednesday after a hearing that took place in May.

The ex-husband is applying for contact with the child. The judge said there will be another hearing “in due course” to determine what happens next.

On a video link in May, I watched the last hearing in this long dispute, which began more than three years ago.

The couple had married in 2019, but separated in 2020. The ex-husband said the twins were born the following February.

On opposite sides of the grand courtroom, in the Royal Courts of Justice, the smartly-dressed couple sat as far apart as they could.

Neither had lawyers, which meant they had to argue their own case, and question witnesses themselves.

At times, the ex-wife looked anxious and upset, especially when a psychotherapist gave evidence under oath.