Children & Domestic Abuse

If you are suffering as a result of Domestic Abuse or believe your children to be at risk of abuse, we can assist you.

We will always deal with your case sensitively and at a pace that you are comfortable with. We can give you clear advice so that you can make a decision on how best to protect yourself, as soon as you are ready.

We are also able to offer you advice about support services that may be available to you and alternatives to Injunction proceedings. We have good working relationships with other organisations that are committed to helping you be safe.

We offer free initial telephone consultations to all our clients. We are also able to provide free Legal Aid in most domestic violence cases, so please call our specialist Child Law Solicitors now on 0844 800 9860 or contact us online for advice.

Prohibited Steps Order

A Prohibited Steps Order may be required if either:-

1. You are the parent or guardian of a child, and you have reason to believe that another person, maybe the other parent of the child, or step-parent, plans to remove the child from your care, without your consent.
2. Your child lives with another person but you have regular contact with them, and you have reason to believe that the main carer for the child is intending to move a significant distance away from you, or out of the Jurisdiction at short notice, with the child, without your consent.
3. You are the Parent and the child lives with you but sometimes you entrust the care to someone else and are afraid the other person may seek to remove the child from their care.

In order to approve your application, the Court will need to be satisfied that:-

1. A threat to remove the child has been made, or implied by actions; and
2. The Respondent has the opportunity and means to remove the child imminently, particularly in any case where a threat has been made to remove the child from the Jurisdiction.

As with any application concerning a child, the Courts paramount consideration is the welfare of the child.

Applications are usually made on an urgent basis and therefore without the Respondent knowing that the application is being made. The Court will often list the matter for a return hearing when both parties are then invited to attend Court to put their respective positions to the Court on whether or not the Order should continue. Legal Aid may be available to pursue the application.

Our Domestic Abuse Support Services

We specialise in all areas of law concerning children.  We can advise you on your options and assist you in making an urgent application in a calm and effective manner.

As family lawyers we will always make sure that your matter is dealt with in the most appropriate way for you and your family and will ensure that you have all options available for you to consider.  An application to Court is always the last option and we will assist you in trying to negotiate where possible.  Often with Prohibited Steps applications the matter is so urgent that an application to Court is always necessary in the first instance to protect your position.

We offer free initial telephone consultations for all of our clients. If you are eligible, we are able to provide free Legal Aid for this service. If you are not eligible for Legal Aid, we can provide several low cost solutions including fixed fees.

Please call our specialist Child Law Solicitors now on 0844 800 9860 or contact us online for advice.