A mother battling to stop her children being put up for adoption was given a glimmer of hope at the Court of Appeal.

The mother, who cannot be named for legal reasons but is from the Colchester area, "dearly loves" her young son and daughter, top judges were told.

But because of her mental health problems - she suffers a personality disorder - and the absence of both children's fathers, they have been put up for adoption.

So far the mother has refused to give her consent, but in December a judge at Colchester County Court ruled the children could be adopted without it.

Yesterday Lord Justice Waller, sitting with Lord Justice Wall, heard it was a move designed to speed up the adoption process.

Essex County Council, which is in charge of the placement, wants as few barriers as possible, because they are already concerned that the age of the children will count against them. The children are both under five, but prospective adopters want children to be as young as possible.

Barrister Jane Hoyal, for the mother, stressed that her human rights had been breached, and it was still the mother's dream to look after her children herself. At the moment she had visiting rights, but those were set to go should the children be adopted.

After listening to an hour of legal argument, Lord Justice Wall adjourned the hearing, but said he thought the mother had at least an "arguable" case for winning the appeal.

No date was set for the full Appeal Court hearing of her case.

Published Tuesday, January 18, 2005

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