Bridge McFarland - Union Clients

Child Care & Children

Bridge McFarland has a dedicated team dealing solely with children's cases. The team consists of members of the Law Society's specialist Children Panel who are assisted by other committed and experienced legal and support staff who provide the sympathetic and caring approach which is of prime importance in this area of legal practice.

Because of their membership of the Children Panel, our child care solicitors are entitled to represent not only parents, but children themselves. Children can instruct us through their Children's Guardian appointed by the courts, or directly if they are of sufficient age and understanding to do so. Our instructions come not only from parents and children but also from Children's Guardians employed by CAFCASS (the ‘Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service’).

Bridge McFarland’s child care solicitors are primarily involved in public law cases. These are cases in which the local authority social services department are seeking to intervene in the life of a family often by placing children in care. The team has become increasingly involved in private law cases in which there are intractable difficulties between parents over issues of contact and residence, and the court orders that the child should be independently represented him or herself.

Full legal aid is usually granted to all parents and children involved in public law cases, regardless of financial means. Legal aid can be applied for in most private law cases as well, but is subject to means and merit testing.

This area of work is incredibly stressful and potentially heartbreaking for many of our clients. Accordingly we strive to offer not only the best possible legal advice, but also the support and help often needed by our clients to get through a very difficult time in their lives. If you think that we can help you or someone close to you we will be happy to arrange a preliminary interview of up to half an hour without charge or obligation.