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Family Law can be highly sensitive and you need advice you can trust.
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The area of Family Law can be both highly sensitive and you need advice you can trust
Prohibited Issue Orders
Duncan Lewis Private Law Children Solicitors – Prohibited Steps Orders
A Prohibited Steps Order is a Court Order used by one parent to stop another parent from making certain and often highly contested decisions about their child’s upbringing.
A Prohibited Steps Order could prevent a parent from:
- removing a child from their current school
- removing a child from the jurisdiction
- changing of a child’s forename and/or surname
- allowing a child to undergo particular (perhaps dangerous) medical treatment
Prohibited Steps Orders have an effect on the way in which a parent is able to exercise their Parental Responsibility, and for that reason, they are not made flippantly. A Prohibited Steps Order normally lasts until the child turns 16, but can be for a set amount of time, or until the child is 18 in limited circumstances.
In addition to parents, stepparents with parental responsibility, and anyone named on a child arrangement order and guardians can apply for Prohibited Steps Order. Anyone else wanting to apply for a Prohibited Steps Order would have to apply for permission from the Court first.
Before you make the application, you need to attend a Mediation Information Assessment Meeting (MIAM). The exception to this rule is the non-availability of a mediator, or where there has been violence within the relationship. The purpose of mediating is to make one final attempt to resolve matters, before going to Court.
If mediation is unsuccessful, and an application to Court is made, the Court sets a date for what is referred to as a First Hearing and Dispute Resolution Appointment. If your application is urgent and cannot wait (perhaps for the reason that the child, or children may be taken to another country), there is a procedure for the court to deal with it immediately.
Duncan Lewis is ranked and recommended by the Legal 500 UK Legal Directory for its Family & Matrimonial work – and the Duncan Lewis team includes Advanced Members of the Law Society’s Family Panel, and members of the Law Society Children Panel – so our team is well placed to help you with any specific issue disputes.
For expert legal advice on private law children matters, including Prohibited Steps Orders, call Duncan Lewis Private Law Children Solicitors, or request a call using our online form.