child custody Solicitors

Child custody in the UK—often referred to as “child arrangements”—determines where a child lives and how much time they spend with each parent following a separation or divorce. The court’s primary goal is to serve the child’s best interests, which generally involves promoting stable relationships and open communication between both parents wherever possible.

Michela Hughes

London EC4V 5EF

child custody Solicitors London

26 years of experience

Does not accept legal aid

Michela Hughes is the matrimonial and family partner at SBP Law. Her areas of practice include: - Divorce; - Financial claims arising from divorce; - Children Act (with a particular focus on international relocation); - Separation agreements; -...

Ademola AKILO

Luton LU1 2QH

child custody Solicitors Luton

27 years of experience

Accepts legal aid in child custody

Great solicitor eager to take on brand new challenges

Kiran Kaur

Guildford GU1 2AB

child custody Solicitors Guildford

15 years of experience

Does not accept legal aid

Established in 2014, C P Law Associates have been providing legal services to clients from across the UK. We give our clients personal attention and aggressive representation, with a proven track record of success. C P Law Associates...

Pardeep Jassal

Dudley DY1 1JF

child custody Solicitors Dudley

13 years of experience

Accepts legal aid in child custody

I head the Family Department at Wright Solicitors and undertake supervision for the relevant staff. My experience in Family matters is extensive and I have acted for parties involved in divorce proceedings, dissolution of civil partnership proceedings and...

Salmaan Islam

Essex RM1 1DA

child custody Solicitors Essex

18 years of experience

Does not accept legal aid

North Ford Solicitors is a firm of fully qualified and experienced solicitors specialising in civil litigation, employment law and family law. From county court actions to major disputes conducted in the High Court of Justice, we have extensive...

Hannah Magee

Cardiff CF10 3BZ

child custody Solicitors Cardiff

19 years of experience

Does not accept legal aid

Ranked in Chambers and Partners as the 'Associate to watch', Hannah Magee is a family law specialist and deals with all areas of family law including divorce, cohabitation disputes, children and ancillary financial matters. Hannah is a member...

Manjit Gill

Kent DA12 1BJ

child custody Solicitors Kent

30 years of experience

Does not accept legal aid

I am a Partner and Head of Family Team at Hodders Solicitors having joined in in April 2019 after after running a specialist Family Law practice for a number of years. I have a nationwide client base and...

Joanne Gilholm

Hampshire PO16 7BL

child custody Solicitors Hampshire

26 years of experience

Accepts legal aid in child custody

I specialise in all aspects of family law, and my expertise embraces all aspects of marital and relationship breakdown. I advise on the financial issues following a separation and where children are involved. I deal with the often...

Ruth TAYLOR

Northampton NN2 6EZ

child custody Solicitors Northampton

28 years of experience

Does not accept legal aid

I have worked in the area of family law since approximately 1985, initially as a secretary to a family law Solicitor then qualifying as a Legal Executive and then qualifying as a Solicitor in in 1997. I have...

Helen Bowns

Warwickshire CV37 6YX

child custody Solicitors Warwickshire

29 years of experience

Does not accept legal aid

I have over twenty years’ experience in advising clients in relation to family law issue. I have particular expertise in representing clients with substantial wealth and have many cases involving family businesses, trusts and farms. I also advises...

Calum WHELAN

Liverpool L5 6PX

child custody Solicitors Liverpool

8 years of experience

Does not accept legal aid

I am a solicitor at Paul Crowley & Co, having joined the firm in 2019 and deal solely with divorce, separation and associated financial matters. I have a keen interest in this area of law having focused on...

Michelle Ellis

Suffolk IP22 4ND

child custody Solicitors Suffolk

29 years of experience

Does not accept legal aid

Separation; divorce; childcare; finances: not many issues get much more emotive or stressful – but I knows that when things are bad, no-one wants a lawyer to make them worse. A friendly ear, strong support and wise counsel...

Lusine Navasardyan

London WC2B 9RZ

child custody Solicitors London

6 years of experience

Does not accept legal aid

I am a solicitor of England and Wales, as well as a qualified advocate with Bucharest Bar. I am currently practising as a lawyer specialising in all areas of nationality and Immigration law, with particular emphasis on business...

Rakhi Singal

London WC2B 9RZ

child custody Solicitors London

13 years of experience

Does not accept legal aid

I am Founder and Director at RVS Solicitors. Years of experience in Family Law, have led me to heading our Family Law Department, where I lead a team of equally talented lawyers with a passion for Family Law....

Ekra Afzal

Halifax HX1 2QR

child custody Solicitors Halifax

9 years of experience

Does not accept legal aid

I have dealt with over 300 Immigration files whilst working in the immigration field, 350 Criminal Injuries and Personal Injuries files.

What does child custody mean in the UK?

Child Arrangements Orders: These legal orders set out where the child lives and the contact they have with the other parent.
Shared vs. Sole Custody: Shared custody involves both parents having significant care responsibilities, while sole custody grants primary care to one parent (though contact is still encouraged for the other).
Best interests principle: Decisions are guided by factors such as the child’s welfare, their wishes (depending on age and understanding), and each parent’s ability to meet their needs.
Parental responsibility: Both parents typically have the legal authority to make decisions regarding education, healthcare, and general welfare, unless the court limits these rights.

How can a solicitor help with child custody, and what does it cost?

A family solicitor can:

Provide legal advice: Explaining your rights and responsibilities under the Children Act 1989 and helping you understand your options.
Negotiate arrangements: Aiming to reach an amicable solution through mediation or direct negotiation before resorting to court.
Represent you in court: If an agreement can’t be reached, the solicitor will present your case, gather evidence, and advocate for an order that supports your child’s best interests.

Costs vary depending on the complexity of your situation and the solicitor’s experience. Many charge £150–£300 per hour, although fixed-fee packages may be available for more straightforward cases (such as drafting a consent order). More complex disputes—like contested custody—may involve higher fees due to extended court proceedings. An initial consultation allows you to discuss your circumstances, estimate costs, and determine the best way to secure a positive outcome for your child.

Shakira Maynard Johnson

Surrey GU15 3YL

child custody Solicitors Surrey

7 years of experience

Does not accept legal aid

I chose to specialise in family law as I understand the importance and meaning of family and I am passionate about helping those who may be going through one of the worst times of their life. I worked...

Joy Edu

London SE13 6EE

child custody Solicitors London

16 years of experience

Accepts legal aid in child custody

Hello my name is Joy Edu. I am a specialist child protection solicitor at Oasis Law Solicitors located at Regus suite 106, 132 Lewisham High Street, SE13 6EE I am an accredited Specialist Family Lawyer with particular Specialisms...

Gavin Henshaw

Buckinghamshire HP9 1NZ

child custody Solicitors Buckinghamshire

22 years of experience

Does not accept legal aid

I specialise in all areas of Family Law and believe in resolving family disagreements in the most cost effective and non adversarial way possible. I'm Head of Family Law at Lennons Solicitors, an established Buckinghamshire-based law firm that...

Gemma Stevens

Plymouth PL4 9BD

child custody Solicitors Plymouth

18 years of experience

Accepts legal aid in child custody

I qualified as a Solicitor in 2007 having completed my Law degree at Plymouth University and the Legal Practice course at Exeter University. Practicing in the South West since qualification, I deal with all aspects of family law,...

Grant Stephens Family Law

Solicitors Cardiff CF10 3DP

child custody Solicitors

4 Solicitors

Established in 2013

Does not accept legal aid

Grant Stephens Family Law, located in the heart of Cardiff, is a specialist family law firm that has been established for over a decade, earning an unrivalled reputation. The firm provides expertise across all areas of private family...

Eva Cofie

London SE18 6NY

child custody Solicitors London

24 years of experience

Accepts legal aid in child custody

I have gained extensive experience, knowledge and skill in my areas of practice since qualifying in 2001. I am focused on achieving the best result for my clients.

Catherine Watkins

Cwmbran NP44 1UG

child custody Solicitors Cwmbran

29 years of experience

Does not accept legal aid

Newbold Solicitors are simply the best at what we do; we have 20 national awards to prove it is not just our team that feel this way, but we have numerous prestigious awards that fill our reception offices....

Amanda Rimmer

Wigan WN3 5BA

child custody Solicitors Wigan

32 years of experience

Does not accept legal aid

I am a Partner in the family law team at Stephensons. I joined Stephensons in 1992 and have specialised in family law ever since. Separation and family disputes can bring a variety of situations which require careful management,...

Chris BARBER

Cardiff CF10 3RS

child custody Solicitors Cardiff

14 years of experience

Accepts legal aid in child custody

Chris studied Law and French at Cardiff University, his LPC at Bristol and qualified with Robertsons in 2011. He deals with family matters including cohabitation, divorce and children disputes. He also undertakes extensive work in civil litigation disputes...

Jill Rucklidge

Leeds LS25 5BQ

child custody Solicitors Leeds

21 years of experience

Does not accept legal aid

I have over 20 years’ experience within family law and have dealt with the full breadth of family matters, having worked for the local authority and in private practice. I am a member of the organisation ‘Resolution’. Resolution’s...

Yen Truong

Kent TN4 8BG

child custody Solicitors Kent

7 years of experience

Does not accept legal aid

I founded my own law firm in order to provide a more personal service to clients, with an ethos to support them in every way possible, and to achieve the optimum solution for their issues. Being able to...

Helen Boynton

Wigan WN6 0HQ

child custody Solicitors Wigan

28 years of experience

Does not accept legal aid

I joined Pilgrim Hope Solicitors as a Consultant Family Lawyer in 2019. I qualified as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives in 1997 and I have specialised in the area of matrimonial and family law...

Heather Meakin

Liverpool L3 1HU

child custody Solicitors Liverpool

7 years of experience

Does not accept legal aid

I joined Michael Rose & Baylis in December 2015 and qualified as a Solicitors in July 2018. I have specialised my Family Law expertise in Divorce and the division of Matrimonial Finances since joining the team. However, since...

Michelle Camacho

London EC3V 3ND

child custody Solicitors London

28 years of experience

Does not accept legal aid

In my almost 22 years, as a Family Lawyer I would say the most rewarding aspect of what I do is build relationships with my clients and help them to successfully move on with their lives without all...

Hollingsworth Edwards Solicitors Avocat London

Hollingsworth Edwards Solicitors

Solicitors London W6 7PJ

child custody Solicitors

5 Solicitors

Does not accept legal aid

Hollingsworth Edwards is a highly reputable and successful West London based law firm who represents clients nationwide and overseas. We understand that when you instruct a solicitor you are making a very important decision. Our team believe it’s...

5 Solicitors Family Law (Area of expertise might be child custody)

We recommend contacting one of the solicitors listed below, as their area of practice is relevant to your enquiry.

Jacqueline MCCAULAY

Surrey SM3 9AA

child custody Solicitors Surrey

24 years of experience

Does not accept legal aid

Jacqueline joined Brand & Co in 2008 having spent the previous 10 years at a Legal 500 firm in West Sussex. Jacqueline became a partner at Brand & Co in 2011. Jacqueline has for the last 18 years...

Kieran HENRY

Stockport SK1 3SU

child custody Solicitors Stockport

32 years of experience

Accepts legal aid in child custody

Kieran is the founding member of the firm he has been practising law for 30 years and there is no task to large for him to handle he is fearless in the face of adversity and enjoys a...

Emma Roberts

Manchester M3 7BB

child custody Solicitors Manchester

13 years of experience

Does not accept legal aid

Emma joined Stephensons in 2019 as a solicitor in the family law department based in the Manchester office. She was made an associate later in the same year. Emma studied for her undergraduate degree at the University of...

Bradie Pell

Sheffield S1 2DD

child custody Solicitors Sheffield

14 years of experience

Does not accept legal aid

Recommended in the Legal 500 2020, I am a partner and the head of the family law department at Graysons and have specialised in family law now for a number of years. With significant experience in family law,...

David Smith

Birmingham B14 7DY

child custody Solicitors Birmingham

11 years of experience

Does not accept legal aid

I joined Glover Priest in May 2019 having previously spent several years working as a family solicitor for Legal 500-ranked regional firms. I have a wealth of experience as a solicitor and deal with the full range of...

Our Qredible experts

child custody Solicitors

What does child custody mean in the UK?

How can a solicitor help with child custody, and what does it cost?

5 Solicitors Family Law (Area of expertise might be child custody)