Childcare Issues

Taking care of what's important

McKinnells have a specialist team of solicitors with extensive experience in the law relating to children. This can range from private disputes between parents, grandparents or siblings about matters such as contact or schooling, through to public law issues for those people who find themselves confronted with Local Authority proceedings and face the frightening prospect of losing their children into care.

The Mckinnells Family Team offer prompt and practical support on how to cope with relationship and childcare problems as well as how to resolve them. Our team are members of Resolution and the Law Society's Children Panel, which gives us a greater understanding of such complex issues.

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 legal proceedings to obtain appropriate court orders. Areas of expertise include:

• Contact and residence
• Specific issues relating to schooling, upbringing and parental rights.
• Child protection issues
• Court proceedings relating to the removal of children from their parents
• Adoption and special guardianship applications

Childcare is a specialist area of law in which McKinnells are known to have an excellent reputation. We can advise and assist you before legal proceedings, attend child protection conferences and represent you in court. Our experience includes dealing with cases with complex and sensitive issues which could involve a vulnerable adult or where there are allegations of sexual abuse, injury or neglect.

Free legal advice is available in some court proceedings and we will always advise you as to your eligibility for public funding.

Meet the Family Law team...