Children giving oral evidence: must consider both limbs of Re W (Court of Appeal)

Re R (children) [2015] EWCA Civ 167 concerned the appeal of a decision refusing a bright, articulate teenager permission to give oral evidence. King LJ confirmed that both limbs of the test in Re W for determining whether permission should be given for a child to give oral evidence must be considered in every application. The case discusses the importance of a child giving oral evidence and the effect of denying this opportunity on the child, the parties and the court's ability to assess the veracity of an allegation.