Children: Private

FOURTEEN has been at the forefront of the development of private law disputes relating to children for many years, including in the areas of alternative family structures and surrogacy. Our barristers appear at all levels of court, have acted in cases before the Supreme Court, and represent parents, step-parents, grandparents and other family members as well as children.

We are regularly instructed in cases involving disputes over child arrangements – where a child lives and with whom (s)he spends time – including where a parent seeks to relocate with the child within this jurisdiction and abroad. We can also assist in applications for Specific Issue Orders regarding a child’s name, choice of school and medical treatment, and in the discrete areas of private law adoption, forced marriage, surrogacy, fertility and LGBTQ+ parenting.  We have particular experience acting in cases where there are allegations of significant harm and where a local authority has become involved.

Our experience in public law cases makes us particularly well suited to representing children, whether through the appointment of a Guardian or children bringing an application themselves.