Gagging Orders in Secret Family Courts

Dear Mrs Docherty

REF NO: 1518.1.

Thank you for your recent enquiry, received on 13 October 2009. I can
confirm that your enquiry is receiving attention and a response will be
provided within 20 working days following receipt of your enquiry as
allowed under the Freedom of Information Act legislation.

In some circumstances a fee may be payable and if that is the case, I will
let you know the likely charges before proceeding.

Please do not hesitate to contact me direct on (01642) 729696 or email
foi@middlesbrough. gov.uk should you require any further advice or
assistance with this or any other matter.

Yours sincerely

Steph Robson
Freedom Of Information Officer

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Dear Mrs Docherty

REF NO: 1518.1
I am writing to confirm that Middlesbrough Council has now completed its
search for the information you requested on 13 October 2009.

In your request you asked for the following information:

(a) How many individuals have been taken to court by your authority
in-order to gag them. To stop them from speaking out about the injustices
they have suffered at the hands of the council children's social services
and secret family courts. Provide all
records to-date that are held.

b) How much did these gagging order injunctions cost the rate payer.

c) Who is responsible for actioning these enforcement orders by the
council, i.e. who signs the applications for court.

d) How many parents /relatives/individuals have received further sanctions
for breaking these gagging orders.

(e) Are any of these decisions to gag/sanction taken by unelected local
authority officers responsible for children's social care, finance, legal
or any other relevant department.

(f) If councillors make these decisions at which meeting(s) are these
discussed.

Response:

I can confirm that the Council has not taken anyone to Court.

If you have any queries about this letter, please do not hesitate to
contact me direct on (01642) 729696 or email [Middlesbrough Council request email].
Please remember to quote the reference number shown above in any future
communications.

If you are unhappy with the way your request has been handled you may ask
for an internal review. You should write to:-

Chris Davies,
Corporate Complaints Manager,
PO Box 99A,
Town Hall,
Middlesbrough,
TS1 2QQ.
If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review, you have
the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for an
independent review. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: -
Information Commissioner's Office,
Wycliffe House,
Water Lane,
Wilmslow,
Cheshire,
SK9 5AF
Yours sincerely

Steph Robson
Freedom of Information Officer

Members Office
P.O. Box 99A
Town Hall
Middlesbrough
TS1 2QQ

Tel. 01642 729696

FAX. 01642 729882
Email: [Middlesbrough Council request email]

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