Business Details
Emergency
services
Expert Child Care Law Solicitors in Bradford
Bradford Family Law has been providing specialist legal representation in child care proceedings for over 25 years. Our team of accredited solicitors and legal professionals offer expert guidance in cases ranging from allegations of minor harm to complex matters involving serious injuries, abuse, and neglect. We prioritise client needs through a compassionate yet professional approach, ensuring access to non-means tested legal aid where available. Our expertise spans pre-proceedings negotiations, court representation, and advocacy in high-stakes family law cases.With a focus on protecting parental rights and family interests, we deliver tailored legal strategies supported by decades of collective experience. Our services extend to emergency protection orders, special guardianship applications, and challenging care proceedings, with a commitment to achieving optimal outcomes for families in crisis.
Services
Care Proceedings
Emergency Protection Orders
Special Guardianship Orders
Pre-Proceedings Meetings
Legal Aid Applications
Child Protection Reviews
Adoption Opposition
Contact Order Applications
Secure Accommodation Orders
Discharge Care Orders
Highlights and features
- 25+ years of specialist experience in child care law proceedings
- Accredited members of the Law Society Children Panel
- Immediate access to non-means tested legal aid for eligible clients
- 24/7 availability for urgent child protection matters
- Proven track record in complex care order and adoption cases
Associations and certifications
- Solicitors Regulation Authority
- Law Society Children Panel
Services
Care Proceedings
We provide specialist legal representation in care proceedings where local authorities seek court orders for child protection. Our solicitors handle complex cases involving allegations of abuse, neglect, or serious harm. With extensive courtroom experience, we defend parental rights while ensuring children's welfare through strategic legal interventions.
Pre-Proceedings Meetings
Our team attends pre-proceedings meetings to negotiate agreements with social services and prevent court action. We advise parents on required care plans and advocate for family-based solutions. This early intervention often resolves concerns without formal care proceedings through structured action plans.
Legal Aid Applications
We facilitate immediate legal aid access for eligible clients facing child protection investigations. Parents and carers receive free representation in care proceedings, with non-means tested funding available. We also assess extended family members' eligibility for legal aid in care cases.
Emergency Protection
Our 24/7 service handles urgent child protection matters including emergency protection orders and police protection cases. We provide immediate legal advice when children are at risk of removal, ensuring clients understand their rights and options during critical interventions.
Adoption Proceedings
We represent parents opposing adoption orders and advise on discharge care order applications. Our solicitors challenge permanence plans through evidence-based arguments, focusing on maintaining family relationships while addressing child welfare concerns in contested adoption proceedings.
People
Clare McCourt
Senior Partner
Specialist family law solicitor with 25+ years' experience in complex care proceedings. Accredited Law Society Children Panel member. Expert in high-stakes child protection cases involving serious injuries and abuse allegations.
Mark Stout
Solicitor
Experienced care proceedings advocate with Higher Rights of Audience. Represents parents in Bradford and Leeds courts. Specialises in discharge care orders and adoption challenges through direct courtroom representation.
Julie McGovern
Paralegal
30-year legal veteran supporting parents in care cases. Focuses on complex medical evidence and serious abuse allegations. Provides calm, authoritative representation during child protection investigations and court proceedings.
Ammaar Hussain
Paralegal
Specialist in children's cases with Urdu/Punjabi language capabilities. Supports families through care proceedings and social services investigations, ensuring clear communication and cultural understanding in legal processes.
Questions
Can I get legal aid for child protection cases?
Parents and carers qualify for non-means tested legal aid in care proceedings. Extended family members may also be eligible based on financial circumstances.
How do pre-proceedings meetings work?
Social services must offer a PLO meeting before court action. We'll attend with you to negotiate agreements and potentially avoid formal proceedings.
What happens if my child is taken into care?
We provide urgent representation to challenge unlawful removals, secure contact arrangements, and develop plans for family reunification through court orders.
Can I oppose an adoption order for my child?
Yes, we'll challenge adoption applications by presenting evidence to demonstrate alternative care options that better serve the child's interests.
Do you handle emergency child protection cases?
Our 24/7 service addresses urgent matters including emergency protection orders, police protection cases, and immediate child removal situations.
