Dr Martina van der Leij represented the local authority in care proceedings concerning 2 children. The children came to the attention of the local authority when the 18- month-old was taken to hospital with multiple fractures.
As the child had diagnosed health issues including genetic abnormalities, Martina had to consider:
- extensive medical evidence - 5 experts were instructed to consider whether the child’s epilepsy and its medication, genetics, and pain response were relevant to the injuries.
- phone and medical records for the 3 possible perpetrators.
After a 10-day fact finding hearing, the court found that all injuries were caused in the care of the childminder.
Read the judgment in full in Re L [2024] EWFC 471 (B) – published in November 2025.