When decisions about a child’s care, safety or future become difficult, getting the right legal advice can make a real difference. MSB Solicitors helps parents, grandparents, carers and other family members resolve children law issues with a clear focus on each child’s welfare.
Our specialist family solicitors advise on arrangements following separation, parental responsibility, disputes about moving with children, and cases involving social services. We also support families with special guardianship, adoption, fertility law and other situations where legal parenthood or a child’s long-term care needs to be clarified.
Whether you need advice before making a decision, support to reach an agreement or representation in urgent court proceedings, we will explain your options and help you take the next step.
How can our children law solicitors help?
Children law covers a wide range of questions, from where a child should live to who has authority to make important decisions. Different legal routes apply depending on the circumstances. We help you identify the right approach, understand the evidence that matters and work towards arrangements that are safe, realistic and sustainable.
Speak to our children law solicitors
Call 0331 630 1144, email familylaw@msbsolicitors.co.uk or complete our enquiry form.
Key Contact
Areas of expertise
Child arrangements and contact
Following separation, parents may disagree about where their child will live, how much time they will spend with each parent, holiday arrangements or how to maintain contact. A child arrangements order can set out where a child lives and when they spend time with others. We advise on negotiation, applications, changes to existing orders and enforcement where arrangements break down.
Parental responsibility and important decisions
Parental responsibility concerns the legal rights and duties involved in a child’s upbringing. Disputes may arise over schooling, medical treatment, a change of surname or other significant decisions. We advise on who holds parental responsibility, how it may be acquired and the steps available when adults cannot agree.
Child relocation and international disputes
Moving to another part of the UK or overseas can affect a child’s relationship with the people important to them. We advise parents seeking to relocate and those opposing a proposed move, including the need for consent or a court decision. Where a child is taken or retained across borders without the necessary consent, urgent specialist advice may be required.
Child abduction and urgent protective action
If you are worried that a child may be removed from the country, or a child has already been taken or retained abroad, time can be critical. Our team advises on urgent protective applications and international child abduction cases, including the legal options that may be available to secure a child’s return.
Care proceedings and social services involvement
If a local authority raises safeguarding concerns or starts care proceedings, parents and relatives may face urgent and life-changing decisions. We represent families in relation to pre-proceedings discussions, care and supervision orders, assessments, contact and possible placements with family members. Early legal advice is especially important in these cases.
Special guardianship and wider family care
Grandparents and other relatives sometimes provide a child’s main home. Special guardianship can offer a child a long-term legal arrangement with someone other than a parent while maintaining important family relationships. We help family members understand how special guardianship differs from a child arrangements order and what may be appropriate for their circumstances.
Grandparents’ and stepparents’ rights
When relationships change, grandparents and stepparents may be concerned about a child’s living arrangements, contact or their own legal status. The options depend on the family situation and the person’s relationship with the child. We advise on contact applications, parental responsibility and other steps that may help protect a child’s important relationships.
Fertility law and modern families
Family structures are diverse, and issues about legal parenthood can arise following donor conception, assisted reproduction or surrogacy. Our family team advises on fertility law and the legal steps intended parents may need to take, including where arrangements have an international dimension.
Adoption
Adoption can provide a child with a permanent legal family. Our specialist solicitors advise prospective adoptive parents, stepparents and birth parents on adoption procedures, parental responsibility and contested applications. We explain the legal steps involved and provide sensitive advice with the child's welfare at the heart of the process.
Resolving disputes without going to court
Court is not always the best starting point. Where it is safe and appropriate, parents may be able to reach an agreement through direct discussions, solicitor-led negotiation or family mediation. A Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) is generally required before certain private children law applications, although exemptions apply, including in some urgent cases and where domestic abuse is involved.
If an agreement cannot be reached, or there are concerns about a child’s safety, court proceedings may be necessary. The court’s paramount consideration when deciding questions about a child’s upbringing under the Children Act 1989 is the child’s welfare. We help clients prepare for each stage and keep the focus on what the child needs.
Why choose MSB Solicitors for children law advice?
Our family law team handles both everyday children disputes and complex, high-conflict cases, including matters involving public law proceedings and international issues. We understand that clients need more than an explanation of legal terminology: they need practical advice, careful preparation and a realistic plan.
Led by Dr Emma Palmer, Partner and Head of Family, our team supports families in Liverpool, Manchester, Chester, Cheshire, Birmingham and nationally. We take time to understand your circumstances, explain what may happen next and work with you to protect your child’s welfare and future.
Awards, accreditations and professional recognition
Our family law team is recognised by leading legal directories and professional bodies, including The Legal 500, Chambers and Partners, the Law Society Family Law Accreditation Scheme and the Law Society Children Law Accreditation Scheme.
Meet our children law team
Our family law department is led by Dr Emma Palmer, Partner and Head of Family. The team includes solicitors with experience across divorce, financial settlements, children law, domestic abuse, international family law, adoption, surrogacy and alternatives to court.
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What our clients say
We understand that family law issues can be personal, emotional and difficult. Our clients value clear advice, practical support and a team that takes the time to understand what matters most.
Legal 500 2026
"Head of department, Emma Palmer leads an exceptional team of sector leading experts instructed by clients nationally and internationally across offices in Liverpool, Manchester, Chester, Widnes and Birmingham."
Legal 500 2026
"Highly motivated Family team. Combative and robust where issues require a strong stance."
Legal 500 2026
"This is a very competent firm who have considerable experience and success in representing client in international children cases and also domestic jurisdiction cases. From what I have see they handle their clients sensitively and frankly"
Legal 500 2026
"Every solicitor I've had the pleasure of working with at MSB are kind but firm, empathetic and willing to go above and beyond for their clients"
Divorce and Finance
"Diane has represented me for a number of years covering divorce, financial remedy as well as ongoing elements of family law. The approach has always been person centred, pragmatic and sensitive to the very difficult situation I have been in. Diane has always been extremely flexible and worked to ensure that no precious time with my child is impacted by the need to discuss and progress matters. I am extremely grateful for the support that I have and continue to receive. "
I can't do put into words the level of support
"From the second I started working with MSB the level of support has been incredible. My case was a family case, no question is ever too much, the response time is incredible. The calls I have had have been informative and I have never felt that anything is too much trouble. I would recommend MSB in a heartbeat and thank them for supporting me through one of the hardest times of my life, I am so glad I am working with Katie through this as I feel her knowledge and support is imperative."
Would highly recommend
"My solicitor was Nicola Harris and I cannot recommend her enough. Clear, honest, firm with other professionals. Honestly can’t say enough good words about her. The people in the office are amazing too, go above and beyond beyond to make you feel at ease, welcome and very understanding."
Frequently asked questions about children law
What does a children law solicitor do?
A children law solicitor advises and represents people in legal matters affecting children. This may include child arrangements, parental responsibility, special guardianship, care proceedings and urgent protective applications.
Do I need a court order for child arrangements?
Can grandparents apply to see their grandchildren? Grandparents do not have an automatic right to contact, but they may be able to apply to court. Some applicants need the court’s permission first. The child’s welfare is central to the decision.
What should I do if social services are concerned about my child?
Can I move abroad with my child after separation?
Is legal aid available for children law matters?
Speak to our children law solicitors
If you need advice about a child’s living arrangements, parental rights, safety or future care, contact MSB Solicitors. We will help you understand your legal position and the most appropriate next steps.
Call 0331 630 1144, email familylaw@msbsolicitors.co.uk or complete our enquiry form.
