Child Law Solicitors

A child arrangements order is a legal document that determines where a child will live, when they will spend time with each parent or caregiver, and how they will communicate with them. It is commonly used in cases where parents or guardians cannot agree on how to share their child's care and upbringing after a separation or divorce.

A child arrangements order can be made by a court in England and Wales, and it is usually applied for by one or both parents, or by a guardian or other family member. The court will consider a range of factors, including the child's welfare, their wishes and feelings (depending on their age and understanding), and the ability of each parent or caregiver to provide for their physical, emotional and educational needs.

Once a child arrangements order has been made, it is legally binding and enforceable by the court. This means that if a parent or caregiver fails to comply with the order, the other party can take legal action to ensure that the order is followed.

It is worth noting that a child arrangements order does not necessarily mean that one parent has custody or primary care of the child. Rather, it is intended to ensure that both parents or caregivers have a role in the child's life and that the child's best interests are taken into account.

Overall, a child arrangements order can provide clarity and certainty for all parties involved in a child's care and upbringing, and it can help to reduce conflict and tension between parents or caregivers. However, it is important to seek legal advice and support when applying for or contesting a child arrangements order, as the process can be complex and emotionally challenging. Contact us for a free 15 minutes consultation.

A Prohibited Steps Order (PSO) is a legal document that prevents a parent or caregiver from taking certain actions in relation to a child without the permission of the court or the other parent. It is typically used to protect a child's welfare and ensure that their best interests are taken into account.

A PSO can be applied for by anyone with parental responsibility for a child, including parents, guardians, and those with a residence order or a child arrangements order. The court will consider a range of factors, such as the child's welfare, the views of the child (depending on their age and understanding), and the circumstances of the case, before deciding whether to grant the order. Examples of actions that a PSO may prohibit include taking a child out of the country, changing a child's surname, or enrolling a child in a particular school. The order can be temporary or permanent, depending on the circumstances of the case.

Once a PSO is in place, it is legally binding and enforceable by the court. If a parent or caregiver breaches the order, they may be found to be in contempt of court, which can result in a fine or even imprisonment.

Overall, a PSO can be an effective way to ensure that a child's welfare is protected and that their best interests are taken into account. However, it is important to seek legal advice and support when applying for or contesting a PSO, as the process can be complex and emotionally challenging. Contact New Court Solicitors for a free 15 minutes consultation.

Child custody is a legal term used to describe the rights and responsibilities of a parent or guardian in relation to the care, upbringing and welfare of a child. It determines where a child will live, who will make decisions about their education, healthcare, and other important aspects of their life, and how they will spend time with each parent or caregiver.

Child custody can be granted to one parent (sole custody), both parents (joint custody), or to another person such as a grandparent or guardian. In cases of joint custody, the parents may share equal or unequal amounts of time with the child.

In making decisions about child custody, the court will consider a range of factors, including the child's welfare, the child's wishes and feelings (depending on their age and understanding), and the ability of each parent or caregiver to provide for the child's physical, emotional and educational needs.

Child custody arrangements can be agreed upon through negotiation or mediation, or they can be determined by a court order. In either case, the goal is to ensure that the child's best interests are taken into account and that they are able to maintain a close relationship with both parents or caregivers, unless there are concerns about their safety or welfare.

It is important to note that child custody is distinct from child support, which refers to the financial obligations of a parent or caregiver in relation to a child's upbringing. Child custody arrangements do not necessarily determine who will pay child support, although the court may take into account the financial resources of each parent or caregiver when making custody decisions.

Overall, child custody is a complex and emotionally challenging area of family law, and it is important to seek legal advice and support to ensure that the best interests of the child are protected. Call us today for a free 15 minutes consultation.

Parental alienation is a phenomenon that occurs when one parent or caregiver manipulates a child to turn against the other parent, causing the child to have a negative or hostile attitude towards the targeted parent. This behaviour can have serious negative effects on the child's mental health, relationships, and long-term wellbeing.

Parental alienation can take many forms, including making false or derogatory statements about the other parent, denying the child access to the other parent, or undermining the other parent's authority or role in the child's life. It can also involve influencing the child to believe that the other parent is dangerous, unloving, or unworthy of their love and attention.

The effects of parental alienation can be devastating for both the targeted parent and the child. The targeted parent may experience feelings of rejection, loss, and frustration, while the child may experience confusion, anxiety, and emotional distress. In extreme cases, parental alienation can lead to the complete breakdown of the relationship between the child and the targeted parent.

Recognizing and addressing parental alienation is important to protect the child's welfare and ensure that both parents or caregivers are able to maintain a positive and meaningful relationship with the child. This may involve seeking professional support, such as family counselling or therapy, as well as legal intervention, such as seeking a court order to enforce contact arrangements or limit the influence of the alienating parent.

Overall, parental alienation is a complex and emotionally challenging issue that requires careful attention and intervention to ensure that the best interests of the child are protected and that their relationships with both parents or caregivers are able to thrive. It’s important you receive the right support, guidance and advice. We are here to help, call us for a free 15 minute consultation.

Temporary child custody refers to a legal arrangement in which one parent or caregiver is granted temporary physical and legal custody of a child for a specific period of time. This arrangement can be made by mutual agreement between the parents or caregivers, or it can be ordered by a court in cases where there are concerns about the child's welfare or safety.

Temporary child custody may be granted in a variety of circumstances, such as during a divorce or separation, when one parent or caregiver is temporarily unable to care for the child, or when there are concerns about abuse or neglect. The arrangement can be temporary or permanent, depending on the circumstances of the case.

In making decisions about temporary child custody, the court will consider a range of factors, such as the child's welfare, the ability of each parent or caregiver to provide for the child's physical, emotional and educational needs, and the child's wishes and feelings (depending on their age and understanding).

It is important to note that temporary child custody is distinct from permanent child custody, which refers to a long-term legal arrangement in which one or both parents or caregivers are granted legal and physical custody of a child.

Overall, temporary child custody can be an effective way to ensure that a child's welfare is protected and that their best interests are taken into account. However, it is important to seek legal advice and support to ensure that the arrangement is fair and appropriate, and that the best interests of the child are protected. Contact us today for a free 15 minutes consultation.

An emergency residency order is a legal order that allows a child to be placed in the care of a specific person or institution on an emergency basis, without the need for a full court hearing. This type of order is typically sought when there are concerns about the safety or welfare of a child that require immediate action.

An emergency residency order can be granted by a court if there is evidence of a serious risk of harm to the child, such as in cases of abuse, neglect, or parental substance abuse. The order can be granted for a period of up to eight weeks, during which time the child is placed in the care of the person or institution named in the order.

In making decisions about emergency residency orders, the court will consider a range of factors, such as the child's welfare, the nature and seriousness of the risk of harm, and the ability of the proposed caregiver to provide for the child's physical, emotional, and educational needs.

It is important to note that an emergency residency order is a temporary measure, and that a full court hearing will be required to determine longer-term arrangements for the child. This may involve the appointment of a guardian, the granting of a residency order, or the making of other arrangements that are in the best interests of the child.

Overall, an emergency residency order can be a valuable tool for protecting the welfare of a child in situations where there is an immediate risk of harm. However, it is important to seek legal advice and support to ensure that the order is appropriate and that the best interests of the child are protected. Call us for a free 15 minutes consultation.

There are a number of reasons why child contact with a parent or caregiver may need to be stopped or restricted. These reasons can include:

Risk of harm: If there is evidence of a serious risk of harm to the child, such as physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, or substance abuse, contact with the parent or caregiver may need to be stopped or restricted to ensure the child's safety and well-being.

Parental alienation: If one parent or caregiver is engaging in behavior that manipulates the child to turn against the other parent or caregiver, such as making false or derogatory statements about them or denying them access to the child, contact may need to be restricted to address the issue of parental alienation.

Domestic violence: If there is evidence of domestic violence between the parents or caregivers, contact may need to be restricted to protect the safety and well-being of the child and the parent or caregiver with whom the child is living.

Child's wishes and feelings: If the child expresses a strong desire to stop or limit contact with a parent or caregiver, this may be taken into account when making decisions about contact arrangements.

Parental capacity: If a parent or caregiver is unable or unwilling to provide adequate care and support for the child, or if they are experiencing mental health or substance abuse issues that affect their ability to parent, contact may need to be stopped or restricted.

In any situation where contact with a parent or caregiver is stopped or restricted, it is important to seek legal advice and support to ensure that the best interests of the child are protected and that appropriate arrangements are made to support their ongoing development and well-being. Contact us for a free 15 minute consultation.

A child contact order is a legally binding arrangement that sets out the terms and conditions for contact between a child and a non-resident parent or caregiver. If one party breaches the terms of a child contact order, this can have serious implications for the welfare and well-being of the child. It is important to take appropriate action to address the breach and ensure that the child's best interests are protected.

The following are steps that can be taken to deal with a breach of a child contact order:

Try to resolve the issue informally: In some cases, a breach of a child contact order may be the result of miscommunication or misunderstandings. It may be possible to resolve the issue through informal discussions between the parties involved.

Seek legal advice: If informal discussions are not successful, it may be necessary to seek legal advice. A solicitor can advise on the best course of action and can help to escalate the matter through the court system if necessary.

Attend mediation: In some cases, attending mediation may be a more appropriate way of resolving the issue than going through the court system. Mediation involves a neutral third party who can help the parties to reach an agreement that is in the best interests of the child.

Apply for enforcement: If the breach of the child contact order continues, it may be necessary to apply for enforcement through the court. This can involve a range of measures, such as fines, community service orders, or even imprisonment in extreme cases.

Seek a variation of the order: If the child contact order is no longer working, it may be necessary to seek a variation of the order. This can involve changing the terms of the order to better reflect the needs of the child and the circumstances of the parties involved.

It is important to seek legal advice and support when dealing with a breach of a child contact order, to ensure that appropriate action is taken to protect the welfare and well-being of the child. At New Court Solicitors, we can provide you with tailored advice and guidance. Call us today to book a free 15 minute free consultation.