A father in the UK who incurred fines for taking his daughter out of school during term has won a landmark ruling in the High Court.
In April 2015, Jon Platt requested permission for his daughter to take seven days off school for a holiday to Florida, he proceed to take her out even though his request was refused. He then arrived home to a £60 fine.
The fine was subsequently doubled when Jon didn’t pay it, and the case ended up in the Isle of Wight Magistrates’ Court.
He went on to win this case after the Magistrates ruled he had not broken the law as his child had attended school regularly, but the local authority appealed the decision to the High Court.
Today, however, Lord Justice Lloyd Jones and Mrs Justice Thirlwall said that the Isle of Wight magistrates had not “erred in law” when making their decision.
Speaking outside of the court, Mr Platt, who had spent £13,000 on the case, said: "I am obviously hugely relieved."
"I know there was an awful lot riding on this. Not just for me but for hundreds of other parents."
Many are clearly delighted by this land-mark ruling and Twitter erupted with support for the father:
Just want to support #JonPlatt - along with the rest of Twitter it seems. Time to listen to the people.
— Emma (@ehelbren) May 13, 2016
Well done jon platt!
— Kate screaton (@screaton_kate) May 13, 2016
#jonplatt Well done Jon,maybe schools and teachers shld be fined for not 100% attendance when kids lose out for training days.
— Sian Browne (@sianik) May 13, 2016
