Child law solicitors
Proactive advice for parents to help manage child arrangements, resolve disputes and protect your children’s best interests.
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 flexible approach allows you to choose the level of support you need, with clear pricing and no unnecessary work.
- Trusted family law experts who advise families with practical solutions that prioritise children’s wellbeing.
- With the support of our in-house mediator, we help clients find constructive solutions wherever possible, reducing conflict, minimising costs and avoiding the stress of court proceedings.
- Backed by a leading full-service law firm, with access to other specialist legal advice whenever you need it.
Our child law services
Our specialist child law team supports parents, grandparents and other family members through a wide range of legal matters, providing compassionate guidance and practical solutions at every stage, including:
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.
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.
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Child law advice and FAQs
Who has parental responsibility?
Parental responsibility is a legal concept that confers rights, obligations, duties and powers on someone in relation to a child. Someone with parental responsibility should be involved in key decisions regarding the child’s upbringing.
In most cases, the mother automatically has parental responsibility for their child from birth.
The father will have parental responsibility if named on the birth certificate, or if married to the mother at the time the child was born.
If none of these apply then there are other ways parental responsibility may have been established or, failing that, it may be possible to seek to establish it now, via a court process if necessary.
Parental responsibility will usually end when the child turns 18.
What are the different types of court orders for children?
There are three main types of court orders that our child law solicitors can help with:
- A child arrangements order – This sets out where your child lives and who they will spend time.
- A prohibited steps order – This prevents someone with parental responsibility from doing something, such as approving medical treatment for a child or travelling abroad with a child.
- A specific issue offer – This resolves disputes where there is otherwise the need for consent from another party with parental responsibility, such as the identity of a child’s school.
What is a child arrangements order?
A child arrangements order is a court order that sets out where a child lives, what time is spent with each parent and where, what other types of contact will take place (phone calls for example) and any other arrangements for the child’s care.
When parents separate, it isn’t always possible to agree on the child arrangements and in these cases, it may become necessary to apply to the court for a child arrangements order. The court will consider a range of factors in deciding how to resolve such applications with the welfare of the child paramount.
Child Arrangement Orders have replaced Contact Orders and Residence Orders, with such terminology, including references to access or custody, now considered outdated. However, any old orders that remain in force are still legally binding.
How do I enforce a child arrangements order?
Sadly, even where court orders have been made, or a legally binding agreement made, there can be circumstances where one party is simply unwilling to adhere to their obligations.
If your ex-partner has failed to follow the child arrangements order, you can make an application for enforcement.
We understand how frustrating and stressful this can be, particularly where you may have already had to endure a laborious process to obtain the original order. Our child law solicitors are on hand to guide you on what can be done, and help you take pragmatic, decisive, cost-efficient and effective action.
Do I have parental rights in a same-sex relationship?
The legal situation is a little more complex for those in a same-sex couple. This depends on how the child was conceived or brought into the family. If your partner, acquires the status of a legal parent, they will have all the same rights and responsibilities including financial obligations.
If you are worried about your parental rights, you can seek expert advice from our specialist family law solicitors. You can start online, or by our contact form.
Contact us
If you would like advice about a personal or family matter, please complete the form and one of our specialists will be in touch as soon as possible.
Please note we do not offer legal aid.
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Why use our child law solicitors?
Proactive advice, constructive family law solutions
We take a proactive and constructive approach to child law, helping parents reach practical agreements that prioritise their children’s wellbeing. Wherever possible, we encourage negotiation, mediation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution to minimise conflict and avoid unnecessary court proceedings.
Trusted, child law advice you can rely on
When it comes to your children, you need advice you can trust. Our experienced solicitors support parents, grandparents and other family members across a wide range of child law matters, including Child Arrangements Orders, Specific Issue Orders, Prohibited Steps Orders and disputes involving parental responsibility. We combine technical legal expertise with a compassionate, child-centred approach to help you make informed decisions with confidence.
We are a leading full-service law firm
Boyes Turner is recognised as a leading law firm by Chambers UK and The Legal 500. As a full-service firm, we can draw on the expertise of specialist teams whenever additional legal advice is needed such as private wealth and residential property ensuring you and your family receive the support needed throughout the process.
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