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Child Law
Disputes over children can be extremely emotional and sensitive. Our team of family law and child law experts are here to support and guide you every step of the way.
Sadly, when a relationship breaks down, it can lead to conflict over the care and contact arrangements for children.
Whether you are a parent, grandparent, carer or other relative, we can assist you with any ongoing difficulty regarding the child or children in your life.
Services to Support You and the Children in Your Life
Explore some of the areas we can support with below or contact our team of child law experts. We can help determine the best options for you with a free, confidential conversation about your circumstances and how we can help.
Child Arrangements Order
A child arrangements order regulates where a child or children live after a divorce or separation. It determines who a child has contact with and when a child is to live or spend time with another person.
The order can also be issued to grant parental responsibility to someone who isn’t a parent of the child, like a grandparent. A child arrangements order cannot be made for children over 16, unless the circumstances are exceptional, which may include if the child has a disability.
Specific Issue Order
A specific issue order can be granted by the court to resolve a dispute between the parents with parental responsibility over a child. It typically addresses conflicting opinions on the child's upbringing. For instance, if those with parental responsibility cannot agree to change the surname, the court can determine what decision is in the child’s best interests.
The order is commonly known as a section 8 order. Mediation services should be attempted before going to court for a specific issue. Our solicitors can advise and refer you to a suitable mediator for your situation.
Prohibited Steps Order
A prohibited steps order prohibits someone in the child’s life (usually a parent) from performing a certain activity with or for a child, or prohibits the parent from exercising their parental responsibility.
This order can be granted when there are concerns that a parent may make decisions that are not in the child's best interest. For example, it can prohibit a parent from taking a child out of the country or removing them from school. The court’s primary consideration when issuing this order is the child's welfare.
Any parent, guardian, or another person with parental responsibility can apply for a Prohibited Steps Order.
Relocation of a Child
When a child arrangements order is in place, relocating to a new home can breach the order that is in place. It’s worth seeking advice from a solicitor to determine if a move will breach your existing order.
If both parents with parental responsibility agree, you can change the child arrangements order to include the new location without applying to court.
Parental Responsibility Order
A parental responsibility order can grant parental responsibility to someone who doesn’t currently have it. This could be a father who is not married to the mother of the child or not listed on the birth certificate. It could also be someone else in the child's life, like a grandparent or another relative.
Expert Child Law Guidance Made Simple
Family breakdowns can be incredibly challenging, but our dedicated team of family law experts are here to simplify the process for you and your family. We provide support at every stage, delivering expert legal guidance with care and empathy.
Our goal is to empower you to make informed and confident decisions for your family's future. Contact us today to learn how we can help you during this difficult time.
Frequently asked Child Law questions
In the UK, “full custody” means to most people that a child or children only live with one parent, either all the time or the majority of the time. You can get full custody of a child by applying for a child arrangements order from the courts. Talk to our solicitors for an initial free conversation about your options for child custody in the UK.
A parent might be considered unstable if they have mental health or substance abuse issues that prevent them from meeting a child's basic needs. They may also display erratic behaviour, abuse or have financial or legal troubles that make them unable to provide a stable environment for their child.
An unstable parent can be prohibited from seeing their child, performing certain actions with their child, having the child live in their home, or having parental responsibility. Our family law solicitors can help you explore your options if you’re concerned about a child and/or an unstable parent in their life.
