With Kind Permission From Billy Bragg
Family Law Advice & Support In York
Family problems can become difficult to manage when there are decisions to make about children, concerns from social services or changes taking place at home. You may need to understand your position before making an important decision, or you may already have a meeting or court hearing approaching.
At Chivers Solicitors, we provide family law advice to people across York and North Yorkshire. Our work has a strong focus on children and includes care proceedings, PLO meetings, domestic abuse matters, child arrangements and other family disputes.
We do not have an office in York. Clients in the area are supported through our existing offices, including our Bingley head office in West Yorkshire, with advice also available through remote contact where appropriate. We can also see clients in York where appropriate, including through home visits, and meetings may be arranged at our Leeds base where this is more convenient.
Our Family Law solicitors will listen to what has happened, explain the legal position clearly and help you understand what needs to happen next.
Combined years of post-qualified legal experience within the firm
Specialist Child and Family Law Services
Specialist Family Law Support For York Families
Family law can involve deeply personal decisions, particularly when a disagreement or court process affects a child. Some families contact us because children’s services have raised concerns about the care of a child. Others need advice following separation, during a dispute between parents or because domestic abuse has made legal protection necessary.
Chivers has an established team of family law solicitors advising on both public and private children law. Members of our team belong to the Law Society Children Panel, reflecting specialist experience in representing children and parents in children law proceedings.
Our approach is child-focused and practical. We advise parents, grandparents, carers and other family members, explaining what the law means for their situation without making an already difficult issue harder to understand.
Where a hearing or other family law matter is urgent, we can also provide same-day emergency representation where a solicitor is available.
Areas Of Family Law We Can Help With
Our family solicitors support York and North Yorkshire clients with matters including:
- Children matters and child arrangements
- Parental responsibility and disagreements about important decisions affecting a child
- Care proceedings and involvement from children’s services
- PLO meetings before care proceedings
- Domestic abuse and applications for protective orders
- Divorce and separation-related family matters
- Special Guardianship Orders
- Adoption matters, including adoption from care
- Advice for relatives and friends being considered as carers
- Urgent family court applications and hearings
You may already know what type of legal help you need, but many people do not. If you have received correspondence from a local authority or the court, or simply know that a family situation is becoming more serious, you can contact us and explain what is happening.
Putting Children First In Family Law Matters
Disagreements involving children can affect where a child lives, the time they spend with each parent and decisions about their upbringing. The legal position can become more complicated where there are safeguarding concerns or children’s services are already involved.
Our Family Law team advises parents and carers on child arrangements, parental responsibility and disputes about decisions affecting children. We can also assist where a court application has already been made or advice is needed about making an application.
In cases involving children, the child’s welfare is the court’s paramount consideration. Our role is to explain how the law applies to the circumstances, make sure you understand the court process and help you put forward your position properly.
Where agreement may be possible, we can advise on the available options without assuming that every disagreement needs to go to court. Where proceedings are necessary, we can provide advice and representation throughout the case.
Care Proceedings & Social Services Involvement
Being told that a local authority has serious concerns about your child can be frightening, particularly if court proceedings have already started or there is a possibility that your child could be removed from your care.
Our care proceedings solicitors represent parents and other family members where a local authority applies to the Family Court for an order concerning a child.
We can explain the concerns raised by the local authority, the orders being considered and the evidence before the court. Our team can also advise you about assessments and hearings as the case progresses.
Chivers has solicitors who are members of the Law Society Children Panel and experience representing parents and children in care proceedings. We can also advise grandparents, relatives and family friends who are being considered as alternative carers, including cases involving assessments of their suitability to care for the child.
Care proceedings are governed by strict legal tests and the court must consider the child’s welfare when deciding what order, if any, should be made. Receiving specialist advice as early as possible can help you understand your position and participate properly in the proceedings.
PLO Meetings & Pre-Proceedings Advice
You may receive a letter from the local authority inviting you to a meeting under the Public Law Outline, commonly known as a PLO meeting.
This normally means children’s services have serious concerns about a child’s welfare and are considering whether care proceedings may be necessary if those concerns cannot be addressed.
A PLO meeting takes place before court proceedings and gives parents an opportunity to understand the concerns, discuss what changes may be required and respond to the local authority before a decision is made about taking the matter to court.
Our PLO solicitors can advise you after you receive a letter before proceedings and attend the meeting with you. We can explain the concerns being raised, help you understand what the local authority is asking you to do and advise on any agreements or assessments being discussed.
Legal Aid is available for qualifying PLO work under the applicable funding rules. If you receive a PLO letter, contact us promptly so that there is enough time to consider the paperwork and prepare for the meeting.
Domestic Abuse & Protective Orders
Domestic abuse can affect many parts of family life and may also influence arrangements concerning children. If you are experiencing abuse or feel at risk, legal protection through the Family Court may be available.
Our domestic abuse solicitors advise on protective applications including Non-Molestation Orders and Occupation Orders.
A Non-Molestation Order can prohibit a person from molesting another person or a relevant child. Depending on the circumstances, this can address behaviour including violence, threats, harassment or intimidation.
An Occupation Order deals with who can live in, enter or remain in the family home. The court considers statutory factors before deciding whether an order should be made and what its terms should be.
Applications can sometimes need to be made urgently. Chivers can provide same-day emergency representation where required and where a solicitor is available.
We also advise people who need to respond to applications made against them. Each case must be considered on its own evidence rather than assumptions being made about either party.
For more information about one of the protective orders available, you can read our guide on how to apply for a non-molestation order.
Divorce, Separation & Wider Family Matters
Relationship breakdown can create questions about children, living arrangements and what family life will look like after separation.
Our Family Law team advises York clients on divorce and separation-related matters, alongside disputes about children and parental responsibility. Where parents disagree about where a child should live or how much time they should spend with each parent, we can explain the legal options and whether a Child Arrangements Order may need to be considered.
Our wider children law work also includes Special Guardianship Orders. These can provide a long-term legal arrangement for a child to live with somebody other than a parent while retaining the child’s legal relationship with their birth parents.
We also advise on adoption matters within our service, including adoption from care and cases where family members may be considered as long-term carers.
The right approach depends on the family circumstances and the legal issue involved. We will explain what options are relevant rather than assuming that court proceedings are always required.
Family Law
Legal Aid & Funding Options
Concerns about cost should not prevent you from finding out whether legal help is available, particularly where children’s services, domestic abuse or urgent proceedings are involved.
Legal Aid is available for many types of family law work, although eligibility depends on the case and the funding rules that apply.
Parents involved in care proceedings are generally entitled to non-means-tested and non-merits-tested Legal Aid where they are respondents to the local authority’s application. Other family members and people involved in different types of family proceedings may be subject to separate eligibility requirements.
Legal Aid may also be available for PLO work and certain domestic abuse or private children law matters, depending on the circumstances and applicable rules.
Chivers provides a Legal Aid assessment so we can establish whether funding may be available for your case. If Legal Aid does not apply, we can explain the private funding position and provide information about likely costs before you decide whether to proceed.
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Why Choose Chivers Solicitors For Family Law In York
Finding a family solicitor is particularly important where a child’s future or your family’s safety may be affected by the decisions being made.
York and North Yorkshire clients can contact Chivers for:
- Child-focused advice from an established Family Law team
- Solicitors who are members of the Law Society Children Panel
- Experience in care proceedings and other complex children matters
- Advice for parents, carers and wider family members
- Support with PLO meetings and domestic abuse proceedings
- Clear guidance about Legal Aid and private funding
- Same-day emergency representation where required and a solicitor is available
- Support for York clients through our existing Yorkshire offices and remote contact routes, with in-person meetings in York, including home visits where appropriate, and meetings at our Leeds base also available depending on the circumstances
We will explain your position in straightforward terms and keep you informed about what is happening as the matter progresses.
Speak To Our Family Law Team
Some family law matters develop gradually, while others require a response within a very short period. If you have received court papers, a PLO letter or information from children’s services, getting advice early can give you more time to understand what is being asked of you.
You can also contact us if you are dealing with domestic abuse, need advice about arrangements for your children or are unsure about your position following separation.
Our Family Law team can listen to what has happened and establish what type of legal help may be appropriate. If the case is urgent, tell us when you first contact the firm.
Call us on 01274 561 666, email us at solicitors@chiverssolicitors.co.uk or fill in our online contact form to speak to our family law team.
Family Law Support Across Sheffield & South Yorkshire
Chivers Solicitors provides family law support to clients throughout York and the wider North Yorkshire area. We do not have an office in York, and matters from the city are handled through our existing offices, including our Bingley head office in West Yorkshire. Although we do not have a York office, we can see clients in York where appropriate, including through home visits. Meetings may also be arranged at our Leeds base where this is convenient.
We support people living across York postcode areas including YO1, YO10, YO23, YO24, YO26, YO30, YO31 and YO32. Our service also extends to surrounding areas including Acomb, Clifton, Heworth, Fulford, Haxby and Huntington, as well as people seeking advice from Selby, Tadcaster, Malton and Easingwold.
Depending on the case, family proceedings involving York clients may be dealt with through the relevant Family Court. Where a hearing is already listed, let us know the court, hearing date and any deadlines when you contact us so that we can establish what assistance can be provided.
York clients can contact our Bingley head office:
Chivers Solicitors
Arden House, 7/8 Wellington Street, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 2NB
solicitors@chiverssolicitors.co.uk
You can speak to us by telephone, email or through our website contact form, with remote contact available where appropriate. We can also arrange to see York clients in person where appropriate, including through home visits, or arrange a meeting at our Leeds base depending on the circumstances.
If your circumstances involve a separate criminal matter, our criminal defence solicitors in York can advise within that area of law. Where a separate issue concerns somebody already serving a prison sentence, our prison law solicitors in York may be the appropriate team.
Family Solicitors Sheffield FAQs
Do you help clients across York and North Yorkshire?
Yes. Chivers provides family law advice to clients across York and the wider North Yorkshire area. We do not have a physical York office. Clients can access our Family Law team through our existing offices, including our Bingley head office, as well as by telephone, email and remote contact where appropriate.
Which office handles York family law cases?
Family law enquiries from York can be handled through Chivers Solicitors’ Bingley head office at Arden House, 7/8 Wellington Street, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 2NB. Call us on 01274 561 666 or email us at solicitors@chiverssolicitors.co.uk to speak to the team.
Can you help with care proceedings?
Yes. Our care proceedings solicitors advise and represent parents and other family members involved in proceedings brought by a local authority concerning a child. We can explain the orders being considered, the evidence and assessments involved and what will happen as the proceedings progress.
Can you attend or advise before a PLO meeting?
Yes. Our PLO solicitors can advise after you receive a letter before proceedings and can attend a PLO meeting with you. Getting advice before the meeting gives your solicitor time to understand the concerns raised by children’s services and discuss them with you before the meeting takes place.
Can you help with domestic abuse and protective orders?
Yes. Chivers advises on domestic abuse and applications for protective orders, including Non-Molestation Orders and Occupation Orders. We can also advise people responding to an application. Where urgent representation is required, same-day support may be available if a solicitor is available.
Is Legal Aid available for family law matters?
Legal Aid is available for some family law cases. The rules depend on the type of proceedings and your position within them. Chivers provides a free Legal Aid assessment and can explain whether public funding may be available. If it is not, we can discuss private funding and likely costs.
Can I contact you if I am unsure what help I need?
Yes. You do not need to know the legal name for the problem before contacting us. Explain what has happened, whether any court or local authority is involved and whether there are upcoming dates or hearings. Our team can identify the area of family law involved and explain what should happen next.
our trusted legal experts
Solicitors Who Act in Family Law
“Chivers Solicitors are dedicated to providing honest, straightforward advice to clients in a friendly and cost effective way.”
Marcus Farrar, Principal
Durham Office
Abbey Road Business Park, Abbey Road, Pity Me, Durham, DH1 5JZ
0191 383 2222
Authorised and regulated by
the Solicitors Regulation Authority: Number 658884
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