Parental Responsibility
Child Law Solicitors
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Rose & Rose
Parental Responsibility
The 1989 Children Act aimed to clarify the law regarding rights and obligations regarding children. One of the main new concepts introduced by the Act was that of ‘Parental Responsibility’ (PR).
The list of responsibilities involved includes care and control of the child, discipline, protection and maintenance, secular education, religious upbringing, and medical treatment.
All married parents of children (whether born before or after the marriage and including adopted children) automatically acquire PR. An unmarried mother automatically has PR but an unmarried father does not. There are now a number of ways in which an unmarried man can acquire PR for his child. Until recently this could only be either by entering into a Parental Responsibility Agreement or by the courts making a Parental Responsibility Order.
Parental Responsibility can also be granted to people who are not the natural parents of a child. Anybody whose care of a child is court approved by the making of a residence order automatically acquires PR. In addition, adopters and guardians are given PR and in some circumstances, it is granted to local authorities or even the courts.
One problem area is whether one person with PR has to consult any other(s) about important decisions affecting a child’s life, such as changing schools or agreeing to medical treatment. The current view of the courts is that if there is any doubt or conflict it is probably advisable to apply for a court order.
Please contact a member of our team below or email info@roselegal.co.uk to arrange an initial consultation to discuss the best way forward for you and we will provide you with further and specific advice tailored to your circumstances.
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Our Family Law Solicitors in
Kingston Upon Thames
Our family solicitors provide our clients with practical and helpful advice for you in your best interests and tailor our services to match the facts of your specific case. Our Specialist Family Lawyers are committed to reaching a constructive conclusion and resolving the family disputes as amicably as possible.
Our experts are based in Kingston Upon Thames. They provide a leading service to individuals, couples, and family groups to reach a favourable outcome for all parties involved. We acknowledge that you may be facing trauma, emotional upset, or distress when working with you. Therefore, it is ideal to work with Rose & Rose Family Solicitors, a firm that will provide you with compassion, reliability, and friendly service. We take the time to understand your needs and provide clear explanations and transparency so that you can completely understand what is happening every step of the way.
The Family Law specialists at Rose & Rose commit to providing our clients with the best advice possible to ensure the outcome favours all parties. We strive to achieve a constructive resolution, and amidst the distress caused by many family disputes, we ensure the advisor you work with is approachable and easy to communicate with. Not only do our solicitors provide a personable approach to our clients, but we also ensure that we offer a practical and realistic attitude regarding family dispute resolution.
Please contact a member of our team, email info@roselegal.co.uk or use the live chat on our website to arrange a free initial consultation to discuss the best way forward for you, and we can then provide you with further advice specifically tailored to your circumstances.
Our experienced team are here to help you.
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Zubair Dharamsi
Gowsigan Gnanakumaran
Samet Eryurur
Olivia Minza-Clark
Maisa Riazi
Financing your legal fees
We understand that the cost of legal proceedings can be a concern, particularly when circumstances change unexpectedly. For eligible clients, funding may be available through Untangled, a specialist provider of family law loans. Their funding can be used towards legal fees, helping you access the legal support you need without having to meet the full cost upfront. Applications are subject to eligibility, status and affordability checks, and approval is not guaranteed. If you would like to find out whether funding could be an option for you, speak to a member of our team.
Ampla Consumer Finance Limited, trading as Untangled, is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for Consumer Credit (FRN 792153). Credit is subject to status and affordability checks. Terms and conditions apply.
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Frequently Asked Questions
A Child Arrangements Order (CAO) is a legal document issued by a Court in the United Kingdom which outlines the arrangements for a child(ren).
A Child Arrangements Order can cover various aspects, including:
Residence: Specifying with whom the child will live.
Contact: Outlining the details of the non-resident contact arrangements with the child.
Specific Issues Orders: Dealing with a specific aspect of parenting, such as schooling, medical treatment or religious upbringing.
Prohibited Steps Orders: Preventing a parent from taking certain actions without the Court’s permission.
What is a Specific Issues Order?
In most cases, no. If both parents have parental responsibility, you will need the written consent of everyone with parental responsibility before a surname change can be legally recognised.
Mediation provides a neutral space where parents and family members can discuss sensitive topics such as child arrangements, living arrangements, and maintenance without the pressure of court proceedings. The mediator helps ensure that the children’s best interests are at the forefront of discussions, guiding both parties toward fair and balanced agreements that suit their family dynamics.
Yes, children’s voices can sometimes be included in the mediation process, particularly if they are old enough and mature enough to express their views. The mediator may suggest involving a separate professional, such as a child consultant, to ensure the child’s feelings are considered. However, the focus of mediation will always be on creating the best possible outcome for the child’s welfare.
Kingston Child Law Solicitors
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