Family Law Solicitors

The Family Law department at Wace Morgan is a specialist group of dedicated family lawyers that has established a significant regional reputation.

We have decades of experience in handling the legal problems that arise when relationships break down, social services or the care system are involved, or someone is at risk from Domestic Violence.

Our approach is practical and compassionate. We have extensive experience in Family, County and High Court proceedings and can give realistic advice for your situation and present all of the available options.

Our Services

Our Family department has two teams, which specialise in different areas of Family Law. The Matrimonial team focus on all aspects of law relating to separation and relationship agreements. The Children’s Law & Domestic Violence team have extensive experience protecting the rights of Children, Parents, Relatives and Guardians as well as helping those experiencing Domestic Violence.

See below for a list of services provided by each team:

Matrimonial

• Divorce – including issues with finances, children and the family home
• Arbitration – a flexible alternative to court proceedings working with our in house Arbitrator. For more information see our Arbitration Page.
• Children – relating to disputes (Private Law matters only) in relation to resolving parental disputes in respect of children
• Cohabitation Agreements – for couples wishing to regulate their living and financial arrangements outside marriage
• Civil Partnerships – for couples (single sex or otherwise) wishing to regulate their financial arrangements outside marriage
• Pre-nuptial agreement – for married couples or couples intending to marry wishing to regulate their financial arrangements in the event that their marriage is unsuccessful and results in divorce or judicial separation

Children’s Law & Domestic Violence

• Social Services – we advise parents when social services become involved with the family where there is a concern for the safety of a child, prior to formal proceedings
• Care Proceedings – we represent parents or children (through a guardian) if social services begin formal proceedings to remove a child from the home due to a concern for their safety.
• Adoption Proceedings – we can assist in all aspects of Adoption Court Proceedings, including Step-Parent Adoption
• Public Law – when the Local Authority or Social Services apply to the court to share parental responsibility for a child or wish to remove them from the care of their current guardians. We can represent parents, grandparents “connected persons” such as relatives or foster parents, and the child themselves in these proceedings, including challenging existing care order.
• Special Guardianship Orders – this is a Court Order which gives guardianship responsibilities to a person connected with the child in specific circumstances. We can advise on whether this Order is appropriate for your situation, and whether you are eligible.
• Private Law – This includes Residence and Contact orders, which define arrangements for parents “Living With” and “Spending time with” children. We can also advise on Prohibited Steps Orders, which prohibit acts by the such as removing a child from school and Specific Issue Orders which cover issues such as changing their surname.
• Domestic Violence – No-one should have to suffer Abuse. We can offer advice on Non-Molestation Orders to protect the victim from future use of or threat of violence, and Occupation Orders which secure rights to occupy a home.

Legal Aid

We have a contract with the Legal Aid Agency subject to  eligibility, to enable you to deal with some of the issues issues above, in particular various Children’s Law and Domestic Violence Services.

Please contact a member of the Family team on 01743 280 100 for further information about your eligibility for Legal Aid.

Our Commitment

Our staff members are committed to continuing professional development, which allows them to give the most up to date advice to their clients. We support our staff members in their membership to the following national organisations:

• Law Society Children Law Accreditation
  We have been accredited with the Law Society Children’s Panel since 2008. This is the quality mark for legal professionals working in family and children law, particularly those who represent children.
• Resolution
  A National register of Family Law professionals. Resolution members are committed to our Code of Practice, promoting a constructive approach to family issues that considers the needs of the whole family.
• Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
  The world’s leading qualifications and professional body for dispute avoidance and dispute management. This international organisation is passionate about promoting a harmonious society and helping people and organisations avoid, manage and resolve conflict through their global network of 16,000 members.