Where the law is concerned, the welfare of a child and the needs of a child are paramount. As a firm, we are committed to the wellbeing of all children during adoption, divorce and separation. We have written a number of articles which you may find useful if you are needing some advice. If you have specific requirements, please contact one of our Child Law specialists.
Don’t wait until school holiday are here before you think about your parenting arrangements and plans for the summer! School holidays bring a change of routine, and living arrangements that work well in term-time can prove inadequate or problematic in the summer. Karen Newman and I are family mediators, and
Until recently, parents who could not reach agreement on their child or children’s arrangements, and who were involved in the court process, could find themselves referred by CAFCASS onto a SPIP Course – or Separated Parents Information Programme. Recently this has been replaced by a new course, the Planning Together
As a consultant solicitor specialising in care proceedings and all aspects of child protection, I also work internationally to help governments and judiciaries improve their child protection procedures. Most countries have good laws in relation to vulnerable children. The problem is they are not properly or consistently implemented. Take Paraguay
In February I wrote an article that summarised the first Judgment in relation to the Somerset cases of non-compliant placement orders. The President of the Family Division has now published the Judgment in relation to the second case and this Judgment tells us, as expected, the way forward. The full
See also: The Somerset case – Part two In November 2021 a case went to court that has sent shock waves through the professional adoption community. Somerset County Council were seeking a declaration in relation to ten cases where Adoption Agency Regulations had not been fully complied with, and they
The BBC has reported separated couples have been exploiting the Covid-19 lockdown to stop an ex-partner from seeing their child. The head of the family courts Sir Andrew McFarlane has said such parents could face court action. Sir Andrew McFarlane has said ‘children should continue to visit parents they do
A Child Arrangements Order is an order that sets out arrangements for a child – that is most commonly where they live (previously called residence or custody) or who they spend time with (previously called contact or access). https://www.gov.uk/looking-after-children-divorce/types-of-court-order Legal aid is only available to people applying for a Child
Regardless of whether you are married, divorced, or separated, co-parenting is never easy when you and other parent have different ideas and views surrounding parenting. It can become extremely challenging when you have separated, and you may not be on good terms with the other parent. If your ex is
Are you are in the process of contemplating a divorce? Have you issued a divorce petition, and in negotiations over your matrimonial finances and/or the arrangements for your children? If you are, you need to consider whether there is any European link, whether that be your nationality status and/or any
Christmas time… Christmas is a difficult time for parents that are separated in a ‘normal’ year. The COVID pandemic has created another level of worry and uncertainty in relation to whether families can be together or not. Whilst this is subject to change and will be kept under review by
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Boardman, Hawkins & Osborne LLP (registered in England and Wales OC401342) trading as BH&O LLP is a Limited Liability Partnership authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (number 647667). Our registered office is 1-3 Ock Street, Abingdon OX14 5AL. The term ‘partner’ is used to refer to a member of the partnership. Our partners are Emily Boardman, Ruth Hawkins and Irena Skapin Osborne.
