Prohibited Steps Orders
When can you apply for a Prohibited Steps Order?
A prohibited steps order prohibits a party from a certain activity relating to a child/children.
In matters where parents cannot agree on specific issues, a prohibited steps order may be granted by the Court to prevent either parent from carrying our certain acts or making decisions in relation to the child without the express permission of the Court.
A Prohibited Steps Order is made under Section 8 of the Children Act 1989. Some examples of a Prohibited Steps Order are as follows:
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Removing the child from the jurisdiction of England and Wales
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Removing the child from their home or local area
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Removing the child from their nursery/school
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Changing the child’s surname
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Decisions in respects of medical treatment for a child
How to apply for a Prohibited Steps Order?
An application can be made with the Family Courts. Both resident and non-resident parents may apply for a Prohibited Steps Order. A C100 application form will need to be filed with the Family Court and it must show that you have attempted mediation (unless domestic violence is involved). Once the application has been issued by the courts the matter will then be listed for a First Hearing.
What do the courts consider when making a prohibited steps order?
The welfare of the child is the courts main priority. The court must be satisfied that it is within the child’s best interest for the order to be made. When thinking about applying for a Prohibited Steps Order it is essential to talk to a family law solicitor as court proceedings can be a stressful process. A professional can help assist you with advice that’s best tailored to your situation and they can also assist with handling the court application process.
How can we help you?
We offer a free initial consultation.
Our aim is to assist families in finding the best possible solution to their problems. We understand that parents who separate, divorce, or dissolve their civil relationship may have ongoing issues between themselves including disagreements about how the resident or non-resident parent raises the children or where they are taken.
We advise clients to get in touch with us as swiftly as possible if they are seeking help with any child matters before the situation escalates as it may be that a child is at risk of being removed from the jurisdiction whereby once removed it will become a lot more difficult and costly to have them returned to the jurisdiction. Thus, we take it in our stride to ensure measures are put in place to try and prevent any such obstacles from arising.
Contact us today!
At UK Family Law Solicitors our solicitors have handled a great range of child matters.
Our expert family solicitors can help provide you with advice to help you decide the best possible way to protect your assets in the future. Contact us today to get started.