Contact Orders

If you have difficulties in accessing your child living with your ex-partner after separation or divorce, Terence Ray Solicitors legal team is experienced in making applications to the court for you to resume your relationship with your child. Contact us for further information.

A Contact Order is a court order that sets out arrangements for a child to spend time with, or communicate with, a parent or other person with whom the child does not live. In private children law proceedings, these are now dealt with under the umbrella of Child Arrangements Orders.

Courts strongly favour arrangements that allow children to maintain meaningful relationships with both parents, unless there are safeguarding concerns. The welfare of the child is always the paramount consideration, guided by the welfare checklist set out in the Children Act 1989.

Types of contact include direct contact (face-to-face time), indirect contact (letters, cards, telephone or video calls), and supervised contact (where a third party is present, typically in cases involving safeguarding concerns). The nature and frequency of contact will depend on the specific circumstances.

Parents are encouraged to reach agreement on contact arrangements without going to court. Mediation is usually required before a court application can be made, unless there are safety concerns or urgent circumstances. A MIAM (Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting) is a prerequisite for most private law children applications.

Where agreement is not possible, a judge will consider what arrangements are in the child’s best interests. The court will take into account the child’s wishes and feelings (depending on age and maturity), the ability of each parent to meet the child’s needs, and any risk of harm.

Terence Ray Solicitors has an empathetic and experienced family law team who can advise you on contact arrangements and represent you in court if necessary.

Call 020 3367 1430 or email info@trsolicitors.co.uk.