Prohibited Steps Order Solicitors

Whether you are seeking to prevent an important decision being made about your child or responding to a Prohibited Steps Order application, our specialist family law solicitors provide clear, practical advice and representation tailored to your circumstances. Prohibited Steps Orders can provide important legal protection where there is a dispute about issues such as a child being taken abroad, relocated, removed from school or another significant decision affecting their welfare.

A Prohibited Steps Order is a court order made under section 8 of the Children Act 1989. It prevents a person, usually a parent or someone with parental responsibility, from taking a specific step in relation to a child without the permission of the Court.

Led by Sobiah Hussain, Head of Private Family Law, our specialist team advises parents and carers across England and Wales on urgent and complex disputes involving Prohibited Steps Orders. We provide clear, sensitive and practical advice focused on achieving the best outcome for you and your child.

Where urgent action is required, we can move quickly to prepare or respond to a Prohibited Steps Order application, gather the necessary evidence and represent you before the Family Court. Where appropriate, we can also seek or respond to a without-notice application.

Applying for a Prohibited Steps Order

Evidence needs to be presented to the court as in a clear and focussed way. This may include messages, emails, travel plans, passport information, school correspondence, previous agreements, police records, evidence of threats or concerns, and any information showing why the proposed action would not be in the child’s best interests.

Applications are usually made to the Family Court using Form C100. In urgent cases, the Court may be asked to make an interim Prohibited Steps Order without notice, particularly where there is an imminent risk of a child being removed, relocated or otherwise affected before a full hearing can take place.

The Court can make clear directions setting out exactly what must not happen unless the Court gives permission, helping to prevent unilateral decisions being made where parents or carers cannot agree.

Who can apply?

A parent or person with parental responsibility will often be able to apply for a Prohibited Steps Order. In some circumstances, another person connected to the child may also be able to apply, although they may first need the Court’s permission.

The Court will consider the child’s welfare as its paramount consideration. It will look at the proposed step, the reasons for the objection, the child’s circumstances, any risks involved, and the likely impact on the child’s stability, schooling, contact arrangements and wider welfare.

How the Court decides whether to make an order

The Court’s focus is the child’s welfare. It will consider whether the order is necessary and proportionate, whether the proposed action could cause uncertainty or harm, and whether a clear restriction is needed to protect the child while the wider issues are resolved

One of the most important parts of a Prohibited Steps Order case is identifying the relevant issue and the evidence that supports it. Many applicants and respondents are tempted to include wider grievances about the other parent, but the Court is usually deciding a specific and relatively narrow issue. One of the first questions we ask is: what exactly are you trying to prevent, and how soon could it happen? If the concern is that a child may be taken abroad, we will focus on evidence such as messages about travel, passport details, flight information or previous threats. If the dispute concerns a change of school, surname or relocation, the evidence will be different. Keeping the application focused helps the Court understand exactly what protection is being sought and why it is needed.

Responding to a Prohibited Steps Order application

Being served with a Prohibited Steps Order application does not mean the Court will automatically make the order. You will have the opportunity to respond to the concerns raised, explain your position and provide evidence supporting your case. The Court will consider the evidence from both parties before deciding whether the proposed restriction is necessary and in your child’s best interests.

We regularly advise parents and carers responding to Prohibited Steps Order applications. Whether you dispute the allegations, believe the proposed restrictions are unnecessary or wish to put forward an alternative solution, we can prepare your response, advise on the evidence required and represent you throughout the Family Court proceedings.

Breaching a Prohibited Steps Order

Breaching a Prohibited Steps Order is a serious matter. If someone ignores the order, urgent steps may be needed to return the matter to Court, seek enforcement, or ask for further protective measures to safeguard the child.

We will explain what the order means, who it applies to, how it can be enforced, and what to do if you believe someone has taken, or is about to take, a step prohibited by the order.

How Reeds Solicitors can help

Whether you are applying for a Prohibited Steps Order or responding to an application, we will assess the urgency of the situation, explain your options and provide clear, practical advice tailored to your circumstances.

We can prepare or respond to the application, draft your statement, gather supporting evidence, and represent you at Court. We can also advise on related child arrangements, specific issue or safeguarding concerns.

We recognise that every family is unique. Our approach is clear, practical and focused on achieving the best outcome for you and your child.

If you need advice about applying for a Prohibited Steps Order, or you are worried that your child may be moved, taken abroad or affected by an important decision without your consent, phone 0333 023 7744, or email [email protected].