Case launched to press Scotland Yard into paying child support ============================================================== ![Case launched to press Scotland Yard into paying child support](https://vardags.com/images/pictures/_360/b6946a78e82b5342e38a8b3020ad5e5c.jpeg)An unprecedented case has been brought against Scotland Yard by a mother on behalf of her two-year-old child. Tabitha Oxer-Patey was unborn when her father, who worked for the Metropolitan Police for six years, died as a result of fatal injuries sustained after falling down a flight of stairs on a work night out. Tabitha's mother, Theresa Patey, petitioned the Metropolitan Police Commissioner for child maintenance, but was turned down on the grounds that the child was not born when PC Oxer died, and that her parents were not married. Lawyers for Tabitha and her mother, are arguing the case on the grounds that Scotland Yard's decision to deny her a share of Richard Oxer's pension was in violation of her human rights - specifically her right to respect for family life - and also that it discriminates against her as a child of unmarried parents. If a police officer is serving at the time of his or her death, any natural child is automatically entitled to a share of their pension. In legal terms, unmarried parents are both equally as financially responsible for their children as married couples. The only difference in this particular case then, is that the child was still in utero at the time of the father's death. Barrister Ben Cooper is seeking a declaration from the court that Tabitha is entitled to a "child survivors pension", on the basis that "such a pension is analogous to a right of inheritance." Update 17/11/2016: Tabitha's case was won, click [here](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/10526192/Policemans-illegitimate-daughter-born-after-his-death-wins-pension.html) to read more "Ayesha Vardag - Britain's top divorce lawyer." ![The Huffington Post](https://vardags.com/images/logo/huffpost.png) "Ayesha Vardag - Woman of the Year"![GG2](https://vardags.com/images/logo/gg2-3.png) "Leading, Magic Circle law firm."Mr Justice Coleridge "A handful of firms dominate the so-called 'glamour' end of the market ... Vardags"The Times "One of the best divorce lawyers in the country"Marie Claire "Ayesha Vardag - 'diva of divorce' for the world's super rich" ![BBC](https://vardags.com/images/logo/bbc.png) "Dr Stephen Bence is a financial genius."Lewis Marks KC "Ayesha Vardag - the Queen of divorce"Daily Mail "Vardags brilliantly argued my case to a resounding victory"Pauline Chai (client) "Britain's top divorce lawyer" ![The Telegraph](https://vardags.com/images/logo/telegraph.png) More Family Law news -------------------- [US Supreme Court recognises gay marriage in historic verdicts](https://vardags.com/family-law/us-recognises-gay-marriage-historic-verdicts "US Supreme Court recognises gay marriage in historic verdicts") [Campaign group alleges widespread avoidance of child maintenance payments](https://vardags.com/family-law/widespread-avoidance-child-maintenance-payments "Campaign group alleges widespread avoidance of child maintenance payments") [Case launched to press Scotland Yard into paying child support](https://vardags.com/family-law/scotland-yard-paying-child-support "Case launched to press Scotland Yard into paying child support") [Vardags' victory: Halsbury Legal Awards success](https://vardags.com/posts/vardags-victory-halsbury-legal-awards-success "Vardags victory: Halsbury Legal Awards success") [Limited rights for cohabiting couples](https://vardags.com/family-law/limited-rights-for-cohabiting-couples "Limited rights for cohabiting couples") Articles by Maire Connor ------------------------ [Vardags' client Pauline Chai featured in The Sunday Times](https://vardags.com/posts/pauline-chai-sunday-times "Vardags client Pauline Chai featured in The Sunday Times") [Ayesha Vardag gives radio interview on Pauline Chai case](https://vardags.com/posts/ayesha-vardag-interview-chai "Ayesha Vardag gives radio interview on Pauline Chai case") [Case launched to press Scotland Yard into paying child support](https://vardags.com/family-law/scotland-yard-paying-child-support "Case launched to press Scotland Yard into paying child support") [Karen Elson on how divorce has affected her life](https://vardags.com/family-law/karen-elson-on-divorce "Karen Elson on how divorce has affected her life") [In sickness and in health? Divorce and illness](https://vardags.com/family-law/divorce-and-illness "In sickness and in health? Divorce and illness")