Whether you need guidance because of a relationship breakdown, are planning to relocate or you are starting a family, we can help.
Every family and every child is unique, so we get to know you and agree a course of action that best meets the needs of you and your children.
We are experienced in dealing with cases involving different jurisdictions and have access to an international network of experts and lawyers.
Child arrangements on separation
We can help you agree child-focused arrangements and prepare parental agreements . If your child needs protection or you cannot agree their day-to-day care arrangements, our expert team will guide you through making an application for a prohibited steps or child arrangements order.
We understand the impact separation has on the whole family first hand, many of our team having experience of this themselves, whether as adults or children. Our technical expertise, along with our emotional support, will allow you to focus on your children during this difficult and unsettling time.
Parental responsibility
Parental responsibility is defined as “all the rights, duties, powers, responsibilities and authority which, by law, a parent of a child has in relation to the child and his property.”
In simple terms, a person with parental responsibility is responsible for the care and wellbeing of a child. The law does not list what these responsibilities are but includes making medical, educational, cultural and religious decisions.
Mothers will automatically have parental responsibility for a child, however this is not always the case for unmarried fathers. We can assist you with the preparation of a parental responsibility agreement or, if necessary, we will guide you through the court process.
Child abduction and relocation
It is not always possible for parents to agree where their children should live and what their care arrangements should be. It can sometimes be even harder to agree the arrangements if one parent decides to move away; whether to a different city or to another country.
A parent needs the permission of everyone with parental responsibility for the child, or permission of the court, to take a child out of the jurisdiction of England and Wales. It is an offence of international child abduction to take a child under 16 out of the jurisdiction without permission.
If parents cannot agree where a child will live (whether this be in the UK or another country) an application will need to be made to the court. In all cases, the welfare of the child is the court's paramount consideration.
Whether you are the parent who has left the country, or you are the parent seeking to have your child returned home, we have the expertise to advise you on your options and support you every step of the way.
Grandparents
We understand the impact a relationship breakdown can have on the extended family.
We are committed to negotiating resolutions and achieve child-focused arrangements that recognise the special bond a child may have with its grandparents.
Adoption
If you are planning on adoption or are already in the process, speak to our expert team who can help you through this complex process.
Enforcement applications
Where you have a child arrangement order in place, our expert family law team can help you enforce the terms. Our team can help if you have reached an agreement with the other party and they are subsequently refusing to enter into an order recording the terms of the agreement.
Second opinion
We understand that sometimes you just want a second opinion in life and this is especially the case if you are about to make decisions regarding the care of your children. We spend the time to get to know you and will explain your options and empower you to take control.
