Private Law

We provide advice and guidance regarding matters relating to children. If we are unable to resolve the matters amicably with the other party then application can be made to the court under the Children’s Act 1989 for the following orders:

• A Residence Order settles the arrangements about where a child should live.
• A Contact Order sets out the arrangements by which a child maintains a link with another adult (usually the other parent) whether through visits, stays, telephone calls or letters etc.
• A Prohibited Steps Order limits when certain parental rights and duties can be exercised (e.g. an order prohibiting the removal of a child from the address at which he or she is residing).
• A Specific Issue Order contains directions to resolve a particular issue in dispute in connection with the child (e.g. in relation to education or religion).
• Parental Responsibility refers to all the rights, duties, powers, responsibilities and authority which a parent has regarding a child, including the right to decide where the child will go to school, what form of religious upbringing the child should have and what medical treatment the child should receive.