08432897130
Contact Us

Grandparents Rights for Contact & Residence


We are here to offer you specialist advice on grandparent rights. Meet our team of experts to provide you with a tailor made service to assist you. At GLC we have experienced lawyers who are specialists in this area of law.


The family court recognises the importance and benefits of a child having a relationship with a grandparent. Therefore, if you do not see your grandchild, you can take steps to resolve this and we would suggest you call us in the first instance and we can explain your options and the different levels of service that we can offer you.

When relationships break down in families, grandparents, who have been a major part of children’s lives, are sometimes denied any contact. 42% of grandparents lose contact with their grandchildren when their parents separate.

When parents separate, it can be difficult making arrangements about where children should live and who they spend time with. The family courts sometimes have to get involved to make these decisions if parents and wider family members can’t agree.

Sometimes Social Services can get involved and it is agreed between families that children should live with other relatives or friends including grandparents. In those cases, the relatives caring for the children may need to look at obtaining a Child Arrangement Order, which specifies where a child shall live, and who a child shall spend time with.


Frequently Asked Questions

A Child Arrangement Order incorporates what were previously known as Residence & Contact Orders and sets out where a child shall live and / or the arrangements for contact. To do this, grandparents have to have permission from the Court to make an application. We can advise you and make your application for you.

A Grandparent firstly needs to ask the Court for permission to make an application. A parent does not need to ask permission. We will support you to ask the Court for permission to make an application. Once the Court has given permission for you to bring an application, the Court then has to determine whether or not the application for residence or contact is in the best interest of the child. In the Children and Families Act 2014, the term contact is now been replaced with a “child arrangements order”. This means that the court can determine the arrangements for where a child should live and who they should have contact with.

It is very difficult to predict each individual case (see also flow chart in Court Procedure tab). The procedure is as follows:-

The application is made to the Court (grandparents must have made a referral to mediation first and we will help you with that).

A copy of the application is sent to CAFCASS who do some initial background checks both with the police and Social Services. In addition, they may speak to the various people involved in the case including the grandparents and parents. At this stage, CAFCASS would not speak to the grandchildren.

The Court sends back the papers to the grandparents to serve upon the opponent (usually the parents).

The Court give a date (usually one month to six weeks after the date of issuing the application)

The Court hearing is for a “directions appointment”. A lot of people think that the case will be disposed of there and then at Court on this occasion. However, it is the first time that the Judge has heard from both sides and quite often, the Judge will decide that further information is needed before making a final decision.

If the Court orders CAFCASS involvement, CAFCASS will be ordered to prepare a report – the time that it takes varies from area to area although generally, takes about fourteen weeks. If CAFCASS is involved, the case will be adjourned for a period of twelve weeks to fourteen weeks to hear what CAFCASS recommend. As part of their enquiries, CAFCASS are likely to speak to all of the people involved in the case including grandparents and parents. They may also speak to the children although this will very much depend upon the children’s age and understanding.

When the case goes back to Court the Judge will want to know whether or not the parties to the proceedings are all in agreement. If they are, final orders can be made (only if the Judge approves them). If the people involved in the case do not still agree, after the involvement of CAFCASS, as to what should happen with the application, the Court is likely to list the case for a contested hearing.

A contested hearing means that everyone involved in the case will have to give evidence. This means grandparents giving evidence and parents. Both can call witnesses if they choose to do so but again, Judges do not want to clog up too much Court time on hearing from people who may not be able to assist the Court so they should only be used sparingly and wisely. The Judge then decides whether or not the application will be granted and what level of contact should take place. The Judge can ask for the case to be reviewed in a few months to see how the arrangements are going.

It’s our job to guide you through the process and represent you before the Court. We will ensure you understand what is happening every step of the way and do our very best to secure a positive legal outcome for you in the best interests of your grandchild or grandchildren.

CAFCASS are appointed by Judges to become involved in cases once an application has been made to the Court. CAFCASS stands for Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service. CAFCASS have a really good website that can be found at www.cafcass.gov.uk. As part of their enquiries, CAFCASS are likely to speak to all of the people involved in the case including grandparents and parents. They may also speak to the children although this will very much depend on the children’s age and understanding.

A contested hearing means that everyone involved in the case will have to give evidence. This means grandparents giving evidence and parents. Both can call witnesses if they choose to do so but again, Judges do not want to clog up too much Court time on hearing from people who may not be able to assist the Court so they should only be used sparingly and wisely. The Judge then decides whether or not the application will be granted and what level of contact should take place. The Judge can ask for the case to be reviewed in a few months to see how the arrangements are going.


Court Procedure

  1. Pre-proceedings / Referral to Mediation
  2. Application Made
  3. Application Sent to CAFCASS
    and a copy returned to the Applicants for service on the other parties
  4. Initial Court Hearing date fixed
    (Usually 1 month to 6 weeks after the date the Application was issued by the court)
  5. Initial hearing date “Directions Hearing“
    (The Court will consider whether permission should be granted for you to proceed with your application and additional Court timetabling directions will be made) Case adjourned for 12-14 weeks for CAFCASS to prepare a report
  6. Further hearing to consider CAFCASS report and its recommendations
  7. If matters are agreed:
    The case can conclude. If not, case timetabled to a contested hearing.
  8. Contested Hearing

Fees

What will it cost?

We can offer Fixed Fees as well as our services at our hourly rates. Unfortunately, legal aid is limited and only available in certain circumstances but we will complete a Legal Aid Assessment to see if you are eligible.

It’s our job to advise you about all available funding options. We will give you a cost estimate at the outset and talk to you about the most cost effective option for you.

Our Team

Nigel Priestley

Senior Partner, MBE
Nigel Priestley is a Senior Partner of Ridley & Hall Solicitors and a community care and adoption specialist solicitor. He is a member of the Children’s Panel and regularly represents children and parents in care proceedings. ...

James Cook

Director,
Head of Child Care & Public Law Team
James Cook trained and qualified at a South Yorkshire firm where he specialised in family and immigration law. ...
Clare Linden Headshot

Clare Linden

Partner
Clare joined Ridley & Hall Solicitors as a Partner in 2018. Clare graduated from Durham University and completed her legal training at the College of Law in York in 2006. Clare qualified as a solicitor in 2008 when she re-located to Leeds to join the niche family law firm McAras and was made a partner in 2013 following the firm’s merger with Simpson Millar solicitors in Leeds....
Headshot Helen Moody

Helen Moody

Solicitor
Helen completed her degree in law in 2009 before continuing her studies part time on the Legal Practice Course whilst working in a solicitors firm in Wakefield to gain experience. Helen joined Ridley & Hall in January 2012 after completion of the Legal Practice Course,  initially as a Legal Assistant working alongside Nigel Priestley to build up experience in the Public Law department. Helen completed her training contract at Ridley & Hall and qualified as a solicitor in October 2016....

Laura Milburn

Partner
Laura has many years of legal experience and was called to the Bar in 2010.  After qualifying as a Barrister, Laura cross-qualified to become a Solicitor in 2012.   Laura is a passionate advocate and has used her advocacy and negotiation skills on behalf of many clients over the years. ...

Sarah Brown

Associate Solicitor
Sarah joined Ridley & Hall in 2010 following the completion of her Law Degree. Whilst working at Ridley & Hall she studied the Legal Practice Course part time over two years, completing it in 2012....
Rosie Turner Grandparents Legal Centre

Rosie Turner

Solicitor
Rosie primarily assists clients on a variety of issues in relation to kinship care, particularly claiming allowances and back dated payments for kinship carers from Local Authority’s. Rosie also assists clients with Special Guardianship Order applications and advice in relation to the support that is available under Special Guardianship Orders....

Get in touch with us today.

Complaint Policy