Children's Law

When a relationship breaks down and parents separate, it is often the children who get caught in the middle. As a parent, it’s only natural that you want to safeguard the future care which your child receives.

At Broadbents we have many years’ experience in Children’s Law. We recognise it is the welfare of your children will be of importance in your case. You can expect to receive the very best advice and support regarding any case concerning arrangements for your children.

Child Law is complex. In certain circumstances, Legal Aid may still be available for advice in relation to living arrangements for your children. Do you believe that your children are at risk of harm from your former partner? If your case fits within the government criteria, free advice may be offered to you under the Legal Aid Scheme provided you are able to produce evidence of the risk of harm. This must be one of the following:

• That the other party to the case has a relevant unspent conviction for a Child Abuse Offence.
• That the other party has a relevant police caution for a Child Abuse Offence.
• That there are relevant Criminal Proceedings for a Child Abuse Offence against the other party which have not concluded.
• There is or has been relevant protective injunction in force in relation to the other party in the case.
• That there is a relevant “finding of fact” of abuse of a child by the other party within proceedings
• A letter from Social Services confirming that the child or children were assessed as being, or at risk of being a victim of child abuse by the other party (or a copy of the assessment)
• A letter from Social Services confirming that a child protection plan was put in place
  to protect the child or children from abuse or a risk of abuse from the other party (or a copy of that plan)
• An outstanding application, not determined by the Court at the date of the application for Civil Legal Services, for a protective injunction made within an application for a Prohibited Steps Order against the other party.

If you wish to receive assistance under this category you will need to be in a position to produce the evidence. Legal Aid is not available to cover the cost of obtaining the evidence.

If you are not eligible for Legal Aid we can still help you either by agreeing a fixed fee for assisting you in relation to a contested application for a child Arrangements Order or by agreeing a fee structure that will enable you to have the reassurance of being represented by our Family Solicitor. For more information regarding Child arrangements and the services we offer, please telephone us on 01773 832511 (option 3).

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