Child Law Solicitors

At Fraser Dawbarns, our experienced child law solicitors provide expert advice and sensitive guidance to help you reach fair, workable solutions in your child’s best interests. We understand how important these issues are to you and your family, and we’re here to help you make informed decisions while minimising conflict wherever possible.

Our children law solicitors work with parents, carers, grandparents and guardians across Cambridgeshire and Norfolk, advising on all aspects of child arrangements, parental responsibility, and court orders. Whether you’re negotiating through mediation or dealing with complex proceedings, our family lawyers will ensure your voice is heard and your child’s welfare is prioritised at every stage.

Contact our child law solicitors in Norfolk and Cambridgeshire today

To discuss your situation confidentially, please get in touch with our friendly team. We have offices in King’s Lynn, Ely, Wisbech, March and Downham Market, and we’re always ready to assist you.

You can also complete the enquiry form at the bottom of our contact page, and one of our specialists will be in touch promptly.

Why choose Fraser Dawbarns as your child law solicitors?

At Fraser Dawbarns, we’re proud to be recognised by the Legal 500 for our family law expertise and client service. Our reputation is built on achieving positive results with care, integrity, and professionalism.

Families across King’s Lynn, Ely, Wisbech, March, and Downham Market appreciate our specialist expertise, client-focused advice and sensitive, practical guidance to help you make informed decisions in emotionally charged situations.

Having served communities across Norfolk and Cambridgeshire for generations, we’re uniquely placed to deliver advice tailored to your needs that protects your interests both in negotiation and in court. Whatever challenges you face, you can trust Fraser Dawbarns to provide compassionate, effective legal representation that puts your family first.

Parental responsibility: what it means & how it works

Parental responsibility refers to the legal rights and duties a parent or carer has concerning a child’s upbringing. It includes the authority to make important decisions about a child’s welfare, such as schooling, medical treatment, and religion.

Typically, mothers automatically have parental responsibility at birth, while fathers acquire it if they are married to the mother or named on the birth certificate. Unmarried fathers, step-parents, or other carers may need to obtain it through a formal agreement or court order.

Our family law solicitors can help you understand your legal position, establish your rights where necessary, and protect your involvement in your child’s life. We can assist with agreements between parents or apply to the court for parental responsibility orders if consensus cannot be reached.

Child arrangement orders (formerly residence/contact orders)

When parents or carers cannot agree on where a child should live or how much time they should spend with each parent following a divorce or separation, the court can issue a child arrangement order. This legally binding order determines residence, contact, and other arrangements to ensure the child’s routine is stable and consistent.

Our solicitors can guide you through the process, whether you’re seeking an agreement outside court or require representation during proceedings. We focus on ensuring outcomes that prioritise the child’s safety, emotional needs, and family relationships.

We also assist grandparents and other relatives who wish to maintain a relationship with a child, advising on the steps required to seek permission to apply for a child arrangement order.

Specific issue orders for disagreements on school, holidays, or medical treatment

Disagreements sometimes arise over specific matters such as a child’s education, medical care, or travel abroad. When these disputes cannot be resolved informally, a specific issue order can provide a clear, enforceable decision.

Common examples of these disputes include:

• Choosing or changing a child’s school.
• Disputes over medical procedures or vaccinations.
• Decisions about religious upbringing.
• Permission to relocate or take a child abroad on holiday.

Our solicitors will explain your rights and responsibilities, assess the likely approach a court will take, and help you present your case effectively. We understand how stressful these disputes can be, and our focus is always on achieving a resolution that safeguards the child’s best interests while maintaining family harmony wherever possible.

Prohibited steps orders – preventing harmful decisions

A prohibited steps order prevents a parent or other person with parental responsibility from taking specific actions without the court’s consent. This could include removing a child from the country, changing their surname, or making decisions that could put the child at risk.

These orders are typically sought in urgent or high-conflict cases where one parent fears the other may act against the child’s best interests. Our team can advise on whether this type of order is appropriate in your circumstances and take swift action where protection is needed.

Special guardianship orders – long-term care with stability

A special guardianship order (SGO) provides a secure, long-term care arrangement for a child who cannot live with their birth parents. It grants the special guardian parental responsibility, allowing them to make day-to-day decisions for the child while preserving the child’s legal link to their parents.

Our solicitors support family members, foster carers and others seeking to become special guardians. We’ll guide you through every stage, from preparing your application to representing you in court hearings.

SGOs offer a middle ground between long-term fostering and adoption, giving children stability and continuity of care. We’ll ensure you fully understand your responsibilities and the legal implications before taking this important step.

How we help in court and in negotiation

Our solicitors aim to resolve disputes through discussion and negotiation wherever possible, avoiding the stress and cost of court proceedings. We work closely with families to find practical, lasting solutions through mediation or collaborative law.

However, when court action becomes necessary, you can rely on our team for strong, effective representation. We’ll prepare your case thoroughly, advocate on your behalf, and ensure your child’s best interests are presented clearly and persuasively.

We handle all aspects of children law cases, including applications, hearings, directions, and enforcement proceedings. With our combination of legal expertise and local understanding, we’re ideally placed to guide families in Norfolk and Cambridgeshire through every stage of the process.