Your relationship may be at an end but your responsibility for your children continues. As such decisions affecting children should be made jointly without involving the Court as far as possible. Andrews Angel Solicitors can help the parties get past their hostility allowing them to come to a reasonable compromise for the benefit of their children Court intervention should only be considered as a last resort the Court will consider what is in the best interests of the child with the child’s welfare being paramount. The Court will only grant an order where the child’s welfare requires it. The types of order that can be made are; Contact order This is an order that allows contact with the person named in the order and can include staying contact Residence Order This is an order that states who the child should live with. Specific Issues This order directs specific actions regarding for example schooling medical treatment etc Prohibited Steps Order This order prohibits certain actions for example taking the child out of the country. Court Process If you have to resort to Court action the initial application is normally listed within a few weeks as the Court has a duty to avoid delay in cases involving children. Prior to the hearing we will negotiate with the other party to see if agreement can be reached between you and if an order is deemed necessary the Judge will deal with it at this stage. If no agreement is reached the Judge will normally order the CAFCASS officer to provide a report and when the report is available a further opportunity for negotiation can take place in light of the recommendations in the report. Both parties are also given the opportunity to file statements in support of their case. If no agreement can be reached the case will be listed for a final hearing