Child law solicitors

Protecting the physical and emotional wellbeing of your children is likely to be your number one priority. It is ours too. We always have the child’s best interests at heart and our experienced child law solicitors help families resolve issues concerning children, whether before, during or after a separation or divorce.

We recognise that every family is different. We will look to understand your family and your circumstances so that we can provide the support you need, whether that be dealing with emergency situations or creating a tailored long-term approach based around your goals. Even if you do not anticipate any issues, taking early advice to understand your rights, responsibilities, and the options available in matters involving children can help to avoid problems later on and provide you with peace of mind about the future.

Our child law solicitors can help with a wide range of child law related areas including issues of parental responsibility, parenting plans, child arrangement orders, enforcement, child maintenance, child relocation and the rights of grandparents, ensuring the legal aspects are handled properly.

We encourage and help our clients to settle disputes through mediation, negotiation or other out of court processes where it is appropriate. It is quicker, causes less stress on all involved, and can help to promote a better co-parenting relationship for the future that helps children thrive. In some cases, this may not be appropriate and if you do need to go to court, our child law solicitors are experts in representation to ensure the interests of you and your children are protected.

Please note, we do not offer legal aid.

Parenting plans

When parents separate or divorce, it is important to consider how to parent effectively. Even where the separation is amicable, a parenting plan that sees parenting issues considered and agreed will be helpful in putting the needs of the children first. We regularly help parents understand the types of issues to consider and navigate the discussions around a parenting plan, whether in mediation or otherwise.

Child arrangements orders

For a variety of reasons, it isn't always possible for parents to agree on the child arrangements. Where there are issues in dispute, we help navigate dispute resolution processes and, where necessary, a court process to ensure you create the arrangements that are best suited for the child and your family.

Issues of parental responsibility

Parental responsibility is a legal concept that includes the ability for parents to make decisions for their child. However, decision-making for parents is not always straightforward if they are not aligned in their views. We regularly assist parents to resolve disputes relating to these decisions, including issues around education (e.g. choice of school), religion, medical treatments, change of name and the ability to travel for holidays. Where possible we will negotiate such issues outside of court, but where necessary we can assist within court proceedings, including dealing with applications for specific issue or prohibited steps orders.

Child relocation

If you or your former partner are trying to relocate a child in the UK or abroad, it is often a complex and difficult situation coupled with high emotions. We have experience in these tricky situations and can guide you both expertly and sensitively.

Enforcement

If a parent is not sticking to an agreed arrangement or is breaching an existing order, we can help guide you on the practical and legal steps to consider. Where appropriate, we can support you with enforcement applications via the courts.

Child maintenance

We can guide you on how much you or your former partner should pay going forward or offer legal advice if maintenance payments have stopped.

Grandparents’ rights

We understand that relationship breakdown rarely affects just the couple involved and their children, it can have a profound impact on the wider family too. We can help grandparents understand how they can support the family, particularly their grandchildren, and in some circumstances how they can take action in their own right to protect relationships.

Family mediation

Cases involving children can be complex, stressful, and in some circumstances lead to expensive court hearings. Mediation is an effective first step to attempt to resolve issues concerning children, without the cost of court.