English: Coat of arms of Portugal (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This is the 6-page letter that the Pedros received in response to their Letter before Claim. In bullet points:

The Pedros challenge

• the procedures for organising contact with the children;
• the procedures for reuniting the family;
• the legitimisation for having care of the children;
• the duty of care to safeguard the children.

The Council responds:

• your claim is without merit;
• your challenges are misconceived;
• conditions of contact are inarguable.

For

• we know from Mr R d S that you planned to abduct your five children [the Police charge said 3 of theirs plus somebody else’s];
• he was previously involved in an abduction;
• you have links with him;
• you also have links with a ‘campaigning group’ against forced adoption whose policy is advising abduction;
• your commitment to return to the children to Portugal is known.

In summary, as my late husband used to…