Emergency Applications

Whilst the Police and Children’s Services will serve to protect children where there is a risk of immediate physical harm, there are a variety of situations where a court application will also be required. The court can make orders without advance notice to another parent, if the circumstances justify this. For example:

Prohibited Steps Orders can prevent a parent from taking a specific course of action in respect of a child without the court’s permission. This may be necessary, for example, where

• One parent intends to take a child abroad against the wishes of the other parent
• One parent is trying to change a child’s school or move a child’s home without agreement
• A child requires urgent medical treatment, but the parents cannot agree upon the treatment

Specific Issue Orders can be made by the court to deal with issues concerning Parental Responsibility such as:

• Permission to take a child out of the jurisdiction for a holiday (if not agreed, or permitted by way of a Child Arrangements Order)
• A child’s attendance at a specific school

Emergency Applications Solicitors

Our solicitors are highly experienced in making emergency applications where time is of the essence.

In certain cases port alerts and injunctions are necessary to prevent a child being taken out of the country or otherwise placed in harms way. These orders are often required the same day. It is essential to ensure the correct process is followed from the outset to prevent the child(ren) from coming to any harm.