Sanchia Berg

A mother successfully appealed a ruling by family court judge Robin Tolson KC after he granted her ex-partner, who was under police investigation for rape, overnight contact with their children. High Court Judge Michael Keehan found Tolson wrong to dismiss the rape allegation and ordered the case to be reheard. Tolson has faced repeated criticism and multiple overturned decisions over his approach to rape and domestic abuse allegations. Legal experts argue that his conduct undermines confidence in the handling of such cases. The case comes amid wider scrutiny of domestic abuse issues in family courts and government efforts to improve protections for victims.

A mother successfully appealed a 2025 ruling by Judge Robin Tolson that allowed her ex‑partner overnight contact with their children despite an ongoing police investigation into rape allegations. High Court Judge Michael Keehan found Tolson was wrong to dismiss the seriousness of the allegations and ordered the case to be reheard. The article outlines Tolson’s history of overturned decisions and criticism from senior judges and legal professionals over his handling of domestic abuse and rape cases. The government has recently committed to improving the experiences of families involved in private law proceedings where domestic abuse is an issue.