Care & Protection of Children
Responding to local authority involvement, care proceedings, and emergency protection. We advocate for families when social services step in.
Practice Areas
Child Care Law
When children are involved, the stakes are different. Courts focus on what is best for the child, not what parents want or what seems fair to adults. We help you understand how decisions will be made, prepare your case thoroughly, and present it in a way that focuses on your child's welfare.
Our Services
How We Can Help
Our work here covers care and supervision proceedings, child arrangements and adoption, for parents, grandparents and other family members.
Child Care Law
Adoption
An adoption order is permanent. It gives parental responsibility to the adopters and ends it for everyone who held it before, so it is not a stronger form of a child arrangements order. For many families a different order is the one that fits.
Adoption through an agency
The child is placed by an agency, usually after care proceedings and a placement order. The agency and the local authority set the timetable.
Step-parent and other adoption without an agency
The child already lives with the applicant. Notice goes to the local authority first, and there is a minimum period the child must have lived with them. This is where a different order is most often the better answer.
Where a parent does not consent
The court is asked to dispense with consent, and may only do so where the child’s welfare requires it. The higher courts treat that as a last resort.
How adoption work is funded
A parent, or anyone with parental responsibility, opposing a placement or adoption order is not means tested for representation, though a merits test applies. Everyone else, including a step-parent or relative applying to adopt, is assessed on means and merits.
Our Approach
How We Work
Child cases move quickly and decisions have lasting consequences. We prepare thoroughly, communicate clearly, and keep the focus where the court keeps it: on the child.
Child-focused preparation
Courts decide based on what is best for the child. We build your case around that principle, not around what feels fair to you as an adult.
Strong evidence gathering
We work with social workers, Cafcass officers, and experts to gather the reports and evidence that will support your position.
Meeting court timelines
Child cases have strict deadlines. We prepare documents on time, respond to directions promptly, and keep your case on track.
Practical guidance throughout
We explain what is happening, what to expect at hearings, and how to present yourself so you feel prepared, not blindsided.
More From Jemek
Related Practice Areas
Child law matters often overlap with family disputes and immigration issues. Explore how we can help across connected areas.
Family Law
Divorce, financial settlements, and relationship disputes that often run alongside child arrangements.
Immigration & Asylum LawVisa applications and settlement where a parent's immigration status affects their child or family unit.
Funding Your CaseWe set out what legal aid covers, what we charge, and how you can pay.