A prohibited steps order is an order which can prevent a person with parental responsibility from taking certain steps or making certain unilateral decisions in relation to a child.
What can a Prohibited Steps Order prevent?
Prohibited steps orders can be used to prevent a person with parental responsibility from taking a number of steps relating to a child including but not limited to: –
- Taking your child from the care of someone else with parental responsibility;
- Changing your child’s name;
- Changing your child’s school;
- Allowing your child to have contact with a particular person;
- Relocating with your child either internally i.e. to a different part of the country or externally i.e. abroad;
- Deciding that your child should follow a particular religion; and
- Deciding that your child should receive a particular type of medical treatment which you don’t agree with if they are ill.
If you are considering making an application for a prohibited steps order, it is important to speak to a family solicitor about the situation you are trying to prevent from happening and whether a prohibited steps order is the right course of action. In many cases, you will be required to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) before making a court application.
