Child law

If Social Services become involved with your grandchildren, it can be an overwhelming and emotional time. Many grandparents are unsure about their legal rights and whether they can step in to care for their grandchild. Unless you have Parental...

Going through a divorce is extremely stressful, emotional and uncertain. When children are brought into the mix, it is even more so. We hope that this practical guide will assist parents going through divorce, and ensure that the children remain...

Do Grandparents Have Automatic Contact? Family relationships can become strained during separations or family breakdowns, and one group often caught in the middle are grandparents. While they can play a vital role in the emotional and practical support of...

What You Can (and Can’t) Share Outside the Courtroom Why Confidentiality Matters In family court proceedings, the sharing of information outside the courtroom is strictly regulated. This is to protect the privacy of those involved, particularly when children are...

Keeping Compliant with Court Orders Hadkinson orders are a rare but powerful tool in the legal system, designed to ensure that parties comply with court orders. These orders are particularly important when a party has failed to meet obligations...

“Liberty” is a right conferred by Article 5 of the European Convention of Human Rights. It is a fundamental right for every individual regardless of age to have the power to do as they please. Within Article 5, there...

In care proceedings, the parties are usually the Local Authority who made the application to court, the parents of the child and the child themselves. Who will be represented by an independent professional called the Guardian. Sometimes other people...

What happens after Children’s Services becomes involved? Following a referral to Children’s Services in respect of a non-accidental injury, you may be asked to consent to your child being placed in the care of a family member or in...

Unless you have Parental Responsibility for your grandchild through a Child Arrangements Order or Special Guardianship Order, then you are not automatically involved in care proceedings concerning your grandchild. Social Services, also known as the Local Authority, may have...

Social Services may be applying to the Court for an Order to protect your child in an emergency. Social Services have duties to protect all children in their area. If they believe your child is at immediate risk of...