Our child custody lawyers help separated parents, and other family members, reach agreement on where a child lives, how much time they spend with each parent, and who holds responsibility for the important decisions in their life. In England and Wales, child custody matters are dealt with under the Children Act 1989 – covering residence and contact, parental responsibility, and issues such as schooling, relocation, and a child’s surname. The courts may refer to these as child arrangements, but whatever language you use, the principle is the same: Your child’s welfare always comes first.
As the UK’s largest specialist family law firm dedicated to child custody matters, Stowe Family Law has over 90 offices across England and Wales. Our child custody team spans locations including London, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Sheffield, Bristol, and Cardiff. Wherever you are in the country, local specialist advice is within reach.
Ranked as a Leading Firm by both Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners 2026, and named in The Times Best Law Firms in 2026, Stowe’s child custody solicitors are trusted by families across the country. We’re also rated Excellent on Trustpilot, reflecting the care and commitment we bring to every case.
We’re members of Resolution and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), which means you can expect honest, measured advice focused firmly on your child’s best interests. Wherever possible, we help parents reach a child custody agreement through direct negotiation, mediation or collaborative law, resolving most cases without the need for court and helping to reduce conflict, stress, and cost along the way.
What is child custody?
The current legal terminology in England and Wales is child arrangements. These arrangements cover who a child lives with and who they spend time with or otherwise have contact with. “Child custody” and “access” are common search terms, while Residence Orders and Contact Orders are historic orders that were replaced by Child Arrangements Orders.
What are the types of child custody?
A Child Arrangements Order can specify who a child lives with and when they spend time with or otherwise have contact with another person. It can provide for a child to live with one person or more than one. There is no automatically preferred arrangement or requirement for the child’s time to be divided equally.
What is parental responsibility?
Parental responsibility is separate from child arrangements. It refers to the legal rights, duties and responsibilities involved in making important decisions about a child’s upbringing, including education and medical treatment. Having parental responsibility does not, by itself, determine where a child lives or how much time they spend with each parent.
How do I resolve a child custody dispute?
Parents may be able to agree child arrangements directly or with support from solicitors, mediation or another form of non-court dispute resolution. If an agreement cannot be reached, an application can be made for a Child Arrangements Order. When deciding the application, the court’s paramount consideration is the child’s welfare.
Child arrangements
Rights for grandparents
Mediation
International child law
Divorce
Special guardianship
Child maintenance
A child arrangements order, made under the Children Act 1989, sets out who a child lives with and how their time is divided between parents following separation. The order provides a clear framework that both parents can rely on. For many families, that clarity is what matters most. Our lawyers will work with you and your former partner to reach an agreement directly where possible, always keeping your child’s welfare at the centre. Where that proves difficult, we’ll guide you through the court process with care and experience.
Child arrangement order solicitors
Under the Children Act 1989, grandparents have no automatic right to contact with a grandchild. In most cases, you will need the court’s permission before applying for a child arrangements order – and once granted, the court will decide what arrangement best serves the child’s welfare. Losing contact with a grandchild is something many families experience, and it can be hard to know where to start. Our solicitors can help you explore mediation or a family agreement first, and support a court application if that becomes the right path forward.
Grandparents rights lawyers
In England and Wales, most people are required to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (known as a MIAM) before applying to the family court. Mediation is a voluntary process in which a trained, impartial mediator helps both parties reach their own agreements, whether on arrangements for children, finances, or both. It can feel unfamiliar at first, but for many families it offers a clearer and less adversarial route than going to court. Our lawyers can advise you before and after, so you go in prepared.
Mediation solicitors
International child law covers cross-border disputes involving children, including abduction, relocation abroad, and the recognition of foreign court orders. In England and Wales, these cases are dealt with primarily under the 1980 and 1996 Hague Conventions, which set out the framework for securing a child’s return or establishing jurisdiction. These situations often require urgent action, and the legal landscape can be complex. Our lawyers are experienced in acting quickly, working alongside the relevant authorities here and overseas to make sure you have clear, practical guidance when you need it most.
International family & child lawyers
Divorce is the legal process that formally ends a marriage in England and Wales. Since 2022, the no-fault system means neither party needs to assign blame – you apply simply on the basis that the marriage has irretrievably broken down. The process is simpler than it once was, but it can still feel a great deal to manage when you’re going through it. Our solicitors will take you through each stage clearly, from the initial application to resolving finances and arrangements for any children, at a pace that suits your situation.
Divorce solicitors
A special guardianship order, granted under the Children Act 1989, gives a named individual parental responsibility for a child until the age of 18. It sits above the birth parents’ rights without permanently removing them, and is most often used when a child cannot live with their parents, but adoption is not the right outcome. Taking on this responsibility is a significant step. Our lawyers will explain what the order means in practice, guide you through the local authority assessment, and support you at every stage of the process.
Special guardianship orders solicitors
Child maintenance is the regular financial contribution made by the non-resident parent toward a child’s day-to-day living costs following separation. In most cases, the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) will calculate the amount, though parents can also reach a private arrangement between themselves. Sorting out finances after separation can take time, and it’s not always straightforward. Our solicitors can explain how the calculations work, when the court may need to become involved, for example, in relation to school fees or additional expenses, and what your options are if arrangements need to be revisited.
Child maintenance solicitors
When a relationship ends, one of the hardest things to work out is what happens next for your children. Where will they live? How often will they see each parent? Who decides on the big things, like schooling or medical care? These questions sit at the heart of child custody – and in England and Wales, they’re formally dealt with through what the courts call child arrangements orders.
No matter what term you use, the welfare of your child comes first. Everything else flows from that. Rather than deciding who ‘wins’, the aim is to reach an arrangement that gives your child stability, security, and a meaningful relationship with the people who matter to them.
In practice, child custody usually covers:
You don’t need to know the exact legal wording to get help. Our role is to explain what applies to your situation and guide you towards an outcome that works for your family.
Get expert advice and support tailored to your situation from our experienced legal team.
Current child-arrangements law focuses on who a child lives with and who they spend time with or otherwise have contact with. Older custody terminology is explained below.
Current child-arrangements law focuses on who a child lives with and who they spend time with or otherwise have contact with. Older custody terminology is explained below.
A Child Arrangements Order can specify who a child lives with and when. It may provide for the child to live with one person or more than one, but this does not necessarily mean their time will be divided equally. “Custody” is a common search term, while “residence” is associated with the historic Residence Order.
A Child Arrangements Order can specify when and how a child spends time with or otherwise has contact with another person. This may include visits, overnight stays or indirect contact. “Access” is an older, informal search term. “Contact” remains part of current legal terminology, although the Contact Order itself is historic.
If you and your ex-partner can agree between yourselves, that’s almost always the best outcome for everyone – especially your child. An agreement you’ve reached together tends to be more flexible, less stressful, and easier to adjust as your child grows.
But agreeing isn’t always easy, and there’s no shame in needing support to get there. Emotions can run high, and it’s common to reach a point where progress feels stuck. When that happens, there are several routes forward, and going to court is very much the last of them.
If you and your ex-partner can agree between yourselves, that’s almost always the best outcome for everyone – especially your child. An agreement you’ve reached together tends to be more flexible, less stressful, and easier to adjust as your child grows.
But agreeing isn’t always easy, and there’s no shame in needing support to get there. Emotions can run high, and it’s common to reach a point where progress feels stuck. When that happens, there are several routes forward, and going to court is very much the last of them.
Sometimes a conversation, with the right guidance, is enough. A solicitor can help you understand what a fair and workable arrangement might look like, and negotiate on your behalf if speaking directly with your ex-partner feels too difficult.
If direct discussion hasn’t worked, mediation is often the next step. A trained, neutral mediator helps you and your ex-partner focus on the practical questions and keep the conversation constructive.
Before you can apply to court, you’ll normally need to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM). A mediator signs this off as evidence you’ve explored resolving things out of court. There are exemptions, for instance in cases involving domestic abuse.
Collaborative law offers another out-of-court option. You and your ex-partner each have your own solicitor, but everyone commits to resolving matters through a series of round-table meetings rather than litigation.
If every other option has been exhausted, you can apply to the family court for a child arrangements order. Courts prefer parents to reach their own agreements wherever possible, and will generally only step in when there’s no other way forward. Even then, the focus remains firmly on what’s best for your child.
In the UK, parents may need to resolve issues related to child custody, which is now known as child arrangements. This includes a variety of different topics, such as:
Coming to an agreement on child custody after a separation requires a sensitive and informed approach. We expertly navigate the legal complexities, advocating for arrangements that serve the child’s best interests and support family stability.
If a decision does reach the family court, it isn’t made on the basis of who asks most persuasively or who earns the most. The court applies what’s known as the welfare principle, meaning your child’s welfare is the paramount consideration, above all else.
To reach a decision, the court works through a welfare checklist set out in the Children Act 1989. This includes, but isn’t limited to:
Your child’s wishes and feelings: Considered in light of their age and understanding
The court weighs these factors together rather than treating any single one as decisive.
One father came to our child arrangement experts in Leeds as his young child had been collected from school and moved across the country by the child’s mother, without his knowledge or agreement. He came to us for professional support. Thanks to our expertise, both parents now share the child arrangements.
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A father came to our child law team in Manchester after spending considerable time trying to resolve his child law matter himself. His daughter’s mother stopped permitting visits, and he began representing himself in court proceedings but made little progress. He reached out to us for expert advice and the final result was a complete reversal of where things had started.
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After leaving another firm due to unhappiness, a client turned to our legal team in Windsor help achieve a successful and cost-effective outcome through divorce mediation. The divorce mediation was successful, and our approach meant both parties agreed on settling the divorce out-of-court – saving everyone time, stress, and additional costs.
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Our Tunbridge Wells legal team helped a client when an informal child arrangements quickly broke down. We advised them to help protect their relationship with their children and create a fair arrangement focused on their best interests.
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Our legal team in Esher helped a parent through a challenging child arrangements case, providing clear advice and compassionate support to achieve the best outcome for their child. The client achieved the outcome they had hoped for, that prioritised their child’s stability and wellbeing.
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Feeling overwhelmed by the court process and an uncooperative ex-partner, a client struggling with child arrangements reached out to us for help. Our St Albans legal team helped them navigate the legal system and achieve a fair and practical outcome for their children.
Read full storyOur expert team offers clear, practical advice so you can make informed decisions about child arrangements and the next steps for your family.
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Parental responsibility is the legal term for the rights, duties, and responsibilities a parent has for their child. It covers the significant decisions in a child’s life – where they go to school, consent to medical treatment, and more – and it sits closely alongside any question of custody.
Who holds it depends on your circumstances:
If you’re separating and weren’t married, questions of custody are still decided in the same way as for married couples – with your child’s welfare at the centre. Who your child lives with and how they spend their time is treated no differently.
There’s no single right moment, and you don’t need to wait until things have broken down completely. Many parents find that getting clear, early advice helps them avoid unnecessary conflict and understand where they stand before any decisions are made.
It’s often worth speaking to a solicitor when:
Legal advice isn’t only for parents. Grandparents and other relatives can also play an important role in a child’s life and may need advice about child arrangements.
Current child-arrangements wording describes a child “spending time with or otherwise having contact with” a parent or another person. A Child Arrangements Order can specify when and how this happens, including visits, overnight stays and indirect contact such as phone or video calls. “Access” is older, informal wording. If the court is asked to decide, the child’s welfare is its paramount consideration.
Hiring a child custody solicitor is advisable, especially in complex cases where disputes arise over child arrangements. A solicitor can provide legal advice, represent you in court if necessary, and help negotiate agreements that are in the best interests of the child.
The cost of hiring a child custody solicitor can vary depending on factors such as the complexity of the case, the lawyer’s experience, and whether the matter remains uncontested or goes to court. Fees may include hourly rates or fixed fees for specific services like mediation or court representation. Read more about how our fees and costs work here.
Whether parents were married does not determine who a child lives with or spends time with. If the court is asked to decide, the child’s welfare is paramount.
Parental responsibility is separate. The birth mother has it automatically. An unmarried father usually has it if he is named on the birth certificate for a birth registered on or after 1 December 2003. Other routes include later marrying or entering a civil partnership with the birth mother, making a parental responsibility agreement with her, or obtaining a court order. Different rules may apply to second female parents and assisted conception.
When unmarried parents separate, the mother automatically has parental responsibility. The father can acquire parental responsibility by jointly registering the birth with the mother, obtaining a parental responsibility agreement, or through a court order. Child arrangements for unmarried couples are determined similarly to divorce cases, focusing on the child’s welfare.
No. Parents can often agree child arrangements directly or with help from solicitors, mediation or another form of non-court dispute resolution. A court application may be appropriate if agreement cannot be reached, a legally binding order is needed, or there are urgent or safeguarding concerns.
There are several tools available on the Cafcass website, which can help to focus parents on the elements of looking after a child which should be agreed on.
Depending on the circumstances, options include direct discussion, solicitor negotiation, mediation and other forms of non-court dispute resolution.
Before making certain court applications, an applicant will usually need to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM), unless the requirement does not apply or a valid exemption is claimed. A MIAM is a meeting with an authorised family mediator. Following attendance, the mediator completes and signs the relevant confirmation for the court application. An applicant relying on an exemption must provide any evidence required.
The child’s welfare is the court’s paramount consideration. The court considers the statutory welfare checklist alongside the evidence and circumstances of the particular case.
Our child custody lawyers are recognised for helping parents resolve disputes relating to where children live, how much time they spend with each parent and other important arrangements. We are highly regarded by Legal 500 and Chambers for our expertise in children law and our child-focused approach.
In 2026, our regional rankings include:
Yorkshire: Band 2 chambers & Tier 2 Legal 500: Beverley, Harrogate, Huddersfield, Ilkley, Leeds, Middlesbrough, Sheffield, Wetherby, York
East Midlands: Band 2 chambers: Derby, Leicester, Lincoln, Nottingham, Peterborough, Stamford
West Midlands: Tier 2 Legal 500: Birmingham, Leamington Spa, Lichfield, Solihull
North East: Band 2 chambers: Durham, Newcastle, North Shields, Sunderland
South East: Tier 2 Legal 500: Berkhamsted, Stony Stratford, Milton Keynes, St Albans
Wales: Tier 2 Legal 500: Cardiff, Swansea
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