James Pearce & Co – Childcare Solicitors

James Pearce & Co act in relation to both private and public aspects of child law. Private law areas concerns disputes between parents, usually arising out of access and custody disputes (sometimes known as contact and residence respectively). In the public law area we deal with all aspects regarding local authority action taken in respect of children.

Private Childcare Law

Often when there is a family breakdown (whether the parents are married or unmarried) there are unfortunately disputes over children. Sometimes a parent is deprived of access (contact) to their child or children or there is a dispute as to who should best look after a child or children on a full time basis (custody or residence). In respect of all these aspects we can assist and advise of your rights and whether or not court proceedings may be appropriate. We try to negotiate a settlement first but we will be pro-active in your interests at all times. We can advise on other aspects including applications to take a child out of the country, change of name etc.

Public Childcare Law

James Pearce & Co advise on all aspects of public childcare law. These tend to concern applications by local authorities (‘social services’) to remove a child or children from its parents. These are of course very serious proceedings. Usually the proceedings are formally started by the relevant local authority in respect of the child or children concerned; in some cases the local authority will apply for an emergency protection order (‘EPO’) in order to safeguard a particular child’s interest. We will advise on your rights in the matter and what you can do in response to any proceedings taken against you. We are specialist advocates in this field and can represent you directly at court without the need to employ an outside barrister. This enables you to use us as a ‘one stop service’. Please note that legal aid is generally available without means or merit testing in this area given the seriousness of the proceedings.

Costs

We appreciate that childcare advice has a cost. We will be clear and transparent from the outset as to what our charges will be. We will generally try to give fixed estimates as to any work that will be carried out but where that is not possible we shall give you full details of our charging rates and our costs generally. Please ask though if there is any aspect of our costs that you do not understand – we’re happy to help.