N.Ts. and Others v. Georgia

Information Note on the Court’s case-law 193February 2016N.Ts. and Others v. Georgia - 71776/12Judgment 2.2.2016 [Section IV]Article 8Article 8-1Respect for family lifeRespect for private lifeCourt order for children’s return to their father against their will: violationFacts – The applicants were a maternal aunt and her three minor nephews. Following the death of their mother in November 2009, the boys went to live with their mother’s relatives as their father, who had a previous conviction for drug abuse, was undergoing treatment for drug addiction.In early 2010 the father sought a court order for the return of his sons. At first instance, although asked to appoint a representative to protect the boys’ interests, the Social Service Agency was not involved in the proceedings. The proceedings ended in an order for the boys’ return to their father, despite an expert report recommending th …