Private Children Law - In Practice

Overview

This course blends law and practical tips to enable you to practice private children law with success. Additionally, it will familiarise you with appropriate procedural rules. It will also give you ‘a feel’ for the courts' approach to private children law and what likely outcomes there are.

The course will use case studies as examples. You will be assisted by step-by-step advice for preparation and running of cases.

Who is this for?

This course will be of benefit to paralegals, trainee solicitors, legal executives, and qualified solicitors, advocates, as well as support staff.

This course will also be beneficial to social workers and case workers.

This course will be of benefit to those who of you who need an understanding of all the most important case law and statutory provisions in this practice area.

What will you learn?

The course will cover developments in case law and practice. Case law on parental responsibility, such as D v E (Termination of Parental Responsibility) 2021 EWFC 37 will be considered, as well as developments in the law surrounding child arrangements and domestic abuse, as considered in K v K 2022 EWCA Civ 468. The developments in the law, as set out in PS v. BP 2018 EWHC 1987 (Fam) regarding domestic abuse, contact issues and cross examination will be considered and changes brought about by the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.

There are also 5 cases studies considered during the day on matters relating to private children law matters.

The course will use examples from the presenter's own experience, so as to put the law into context.

Topics covered include:

• Consideration of Parental Responsibility
• Alternative Family Structure and Parental Responsibility
• Private Children Law Orders
• Who can apply for orders?
• Matters relating to surname, religion, and removal
• Child Arrangements and Parental Involvement
• Domestic Abuse and Contact
• Practice Direction 12j and Fact Findings
• Enforcement of Orders
• Use of Part 37 FPR 2010

There will be opportunities to discuss issues in a group setting and to ask questions of our very experienced presenter.

How does this help your career?

• Understand the law and practice on section 8 orders - the nuts and bolts
• Explain the law and practice on parental responsibility - getting it, using it, and changing of names, and removal from the jurisdiction
• Understand the practice; in particular the Child Arrangements Programme
• Understand the role of CAFCASS, and a 16.4 FPR 2010 appointment
• Recognise the steps to take if a parent alleges domestic abuse
• Demonstrate confidence with making contact work and the enforcement of orders

PSC Elective

This course may be undertaken as a PSC elective, although it may also be attended by non-trainees.

SRA Competencies

B, C

Other related courses

Family Law - The Complete Practice & Procedure

Public Law Children's Work - Introduction

Core Knowledge For New Family Practitioners

Court of Protection Practice

Financial Orders on Divorce – from first instruction to final order

Divorce, Nullity & Separation

Special Guardianship & Adoption Issues - The Essentials

Local Authority Children Lawyer - The Essentials

Children Law Accreditation - The Mandatory Course

Family Advocacy - The Key Principles