A woman who misrepresented the paternity of her child to her ex-partner, and thereby obtained financial support from him as he believed himself to be the father, was recently ordered to pay him compensation.
The woman gave birth to the child whilst in a relationship with the man. She had assured him that he was the father and he had supported both mother and child. When their relationship later foundered, she disputed that he was the father and a DNA test confirmed that he was not. Subsequent to the results of the DNA test, the man stopped making any payments to her.
The man sued his ex-partner. In the view of the court, the woman had made fraudulent misrepresentations with the intent that the man should rely on them. Since he had suffered a loss because of the misrepresentations, he was entitled to damages. The court also held that he was entitled to special damages on account of money spent on the mother, but not for money spent for the child’s sole benefit.
The woman gave birth to the child whilst in a relationship with the man. She had assured him that he was the father and he had supported both mother and child. When their relationship later foundered, she disputed that he was the father and a DNA test confirmed that he was not. Subsequent to the results of the DNA test, the man stopped making any payments to her.
The man sued his ex-partner. In the view of the court, the woman had made fraudulent misrepresentations with the intent that the man should rely on them. Since he had suffered a loss because of the misrepresentations, he was entitled to damages. The court also held that he was entitled to special damages on account of money spent on the mother, but not for money spent for the child’s sole benefit.
