Father who refuses to register son’s birth defends stance after judge’s ruling

A man who refuses to register his son’s birth because he does not want the state to control the youngster has defended his stance after losing a High Court fight.

Council social services bosses with responsibility for the baby’s welfare had raised concern after the man and his partner failed to register the birth, and they asked a High Court judge to make a decision.

They said the boy’s parents were in breach of legislation governing the registration of births.

Mr Justice Hayden has decided the council involved is an “institutional parent” and a member of staff can step in and register the birth.

The judge considered the issue at a recent private hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London and has outlined his decision in a written ruling published online.

He said the baby, who is a few months old, cannot be identified in media reports of the case but he added that Tower Hamlets Council (pictured) in London is the local authority involved.

The judge said the boy had been placed into temporary council care because of concerns about his parents.

He was told the couple’s parenting skills were being assessed before decisions about the boy’s long-term future were made.

The judge said the 1953 Birth and Deaths Registration Act required registration within 42 days of birth.

He said that 42-day period had ended.

Mr Justice Hayden said the couple had chosen a name but the man thought registration might give an “authoritarian” state control of the boy.

The judge said the man had strong beliefs about the concept of personal “sovereignty” and said his views “may sound unusual and somewhat eccentric”.

But the man says others share his concerns about birth registration.

“I don’t want to be portrayed as some kind of eccentric,” he said, following the publication of the judge’s ruling.

“I am not the only person who has these concerns about birth registration.

“I will not register my son’s birth. I don’t think it is necessary.”

The man said the boy’s birth had yet to be registered.

He said social workers had not yet stepped in but were trying to persuade him and his partner to register the birth.

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