Children Law
Steel & Shamash have a specialist team of solicitors with extensive experience in the law relating to children. This area of law falls into two categories:
1. Private Law matters - disputes between parents, grandparents, or siblings, about issues relating to
- Residence
- Contact
- Change of name
- Specific issues relating to schooling or upbringing of a child, and
- Parental rights.
Disagreements often arise particularly where couples are separating, and it is important to try to resolve disputes without delay and with the best interests of the child as the primary consideration.
We can represent parents, grandparents and children and if the dispute cannot be resolved by negotiation or mediation, we can issue court proceedings to obtain appropriate court orders.
2. Public Law matters – include actions taken by social services
- For the protection of children
- In court proceedings for the removal of children from their parents, or
- In relation to adoption and special guardianship applications concerning long term planning for a child’s residence away from their home.
This is a specialist area of law which Steel & Shamash are known to have an excellent reputation. We can advise and assist you before court proceedings, attend child protection conferences and represent you in court proceedings. Our experience includes dealing with high profile cases involving complex issues which could involve the Official Solicitor if you are a vulnerable adult and where there are allegations of sexual abuse, non-accidental injury to a child, neglect, or factitious illness.
Free legal advice is available in some court proceedings and we will always advise you as to your eligibility for public funding.
Our Child Care Solicitors are:
Janice Kaufman: Email: janice.kaufman@steelandshamash.co.uk
Mary-Ann Harris: Email: mary-ann.harris@steelandshamash.co.uk
Carolyn Mellanby: Email: carolyn.mellanby@steelandshamash.co.uk