At Premium Solicitors, our experienced team of divorce and family law solicitors can provide expert legal advice and representation for applications under the Children Act 1989 for a Specific Issue Order. If parents or individuals with parental responsibility cannot agree on an important issue concerning a child’s upbringing, a Specific Issue Order can help resolve the dispute through the Family Court.
Our specialist family law solicitors in London understand that disagreements involving children can be emotionally challenging and stressful. We provide practical, compassionate, and strategic legal advice to help parents reach solutions in the child's best interests.
What Is a Specific Issue Order?
A Specific Issue Order is a type of court order made under Section 8 of the Children Act 1989. It allows the Family Court to decide a particular issue relating to a child when parents or guardians are unable to agree.
The order is designed to resolve disputes about important aspects of a child’s life and welfare. The court will always consider the child’s best interests as the paramount consideration before making a decision.
Common Reasons for Applying for a Specific Issue Order
You may need to apply for a Specific Issue Order if there is a disagreement regarding:
- Which school should a child attend
- A child’s education or religious upbringing
- Medical treatment or healthcare decisions
- Permission to take a child abroad
- Applying for a passport for a child
- Change of a child’s surname
- Where a child should live
- Vaccination disputes
- Contact arrangements with family members
- Participation in certain activities or events
Our specialist family law solicitors at Premium Solicitors can assess your circumstances and advise whether a Specific Issue Order application is appropriate in your case.
Who Can Apply for a Specific Issue Order?
The following individuals may apply for a Specific Issue Order:
- Parents
- Guardians
- Individuals with parental responsibility
- Persons named in a Child Arrangements Order
- Certain other individuals, with the court’s permission
If you are unsure whether you are eligible to apply, our expert family law solicitors can advise you during an initial consultation.
How Does the Court Decide a Specific Issue Order?
When deciding whether to grant a Specific Issue Order, the Family Court will consider the welfare checklist under the Children Act 1989, including:
- The wishes and feelings of the child (depending on age and understanding)
- The child’s emotional, educational, and physical needs
- The likely effect of any change in circumstances
- Any risk of harm to the child
- The capability of each parent to meet the child’s needs
The court’s primary concern is always the welfare and best interests of the child.
Mediation Before Applying to Court
In most cases, parents are expected to attempt mediation before making an application to the Family Court. This usually involves attending a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM).
However, there are exceptions where mediation may not be required, such as cases involving:
- Domestic abuse
- Urgent applications
- Child protection concerns
- Previous mediation attempts that failed
Our family law solicitors at Premium Solicitors can advise whether you qualify for an exemption from mediation requirements.
How Our Family Law Solicitors Can Help?
At Premium Solicitors, our dedicated divorce and family law solicitors can assist with:
- Legal advice regarding Specific Issue Orders
- Negotiating agreements between parents
- Preparing court applications and supporting documents
- Representation at Family Court hearings
- Urgent applications involving children
- Related child arrangement disputes
- Applications linked to international travel and relocation
We aim to resolve disputes efficiently while protecting your child's welfare and best interests.
Why Choose Premium Solicitors?
- Experienced family law solicitors in London
- Clear and practical legal advice
- Fixed fee services are available in many cases
- Remote appointments via Zoom, Teams, WhatsApp, or telephone
- Available 7 days a week, 365 days a year
- Professional and client-focused approach
- Convenient appointments for clients across the UK
Our team of family law solicitors at Premium Solicitors is committed to providing high-quality legal representation to parents and families facing sensitive child-related disputes.
Specialist Specific Issue Order Solicitors in London
Our family law solicitors are specialists in applications for specific issue orders. As one of the best family law solicitors, we have an excellent track record of helping clients with applications for specific issue orders. Our highly experienced and fully qualified family law solicitors can provide fast, friendly, reliable advice and legal representation for your application for a specific issue order.
The high quality of legal services provided by our best team of family law solicitors is self-evident from the 5-star Google Reviews rating by 99% of our clients. Our London-based family law solicitors are available 7 days a week, 365 days a year, offering unwavering dedication and exceptional legal support for a wide range of divorce and family law cases. Our family law solicitors bring more than 5 decades of collective, specialised expertise to handle divorce and family law matters.
Meet Our Team of Family Law Solicitors in London
At Premium Solicitors, our strength lies in the expertise, dedication, and unwavering commitment of our family law solicitors in London. We understand that divorce and family law matters are life-changing events, and our team is here to guide you through every step of the legal process with professionalism and care.
Our team comprises a diverse group of family law solicitors, each bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge to the table. We are united by a shared goal: to deliver the highest level of legal support and advocacy tailored to your needs.
Nazamah Munir Akhtar
Divorce & Family Law Solicitor
Arshad Mahmood
Divorce & Family Law Solicitor
Tushita Scalzullo
Divorce & Family Law Solicitor
Victoria Gbenoba
Divorce & Family Law Solicitor
Alina Rizvi
Divorce & Family Law SolicitorLanguages Spoken By Our Team
At Premium Solicitors, we prioritise clear and effective communication in all legal matters. Our team of specialist divorce and family law solicitors offers multilingual legal services, ensuring clients receive accurate advice in a language they fully understand.
By removing language barriers, we help minimise misunderstandings and handle your case with clarity and confidence.
Languages we speak:
English | Urdu | Punjabi | Hindi | Farsi | Italian | German | Marathi
Schedule Your Consultation With Our Family Law Solicitors
Are you seeking expert legal advice and consultation from our highly experienced and qualified team of family law solicitors and lawyers in London? It's easy to secure an appointment with our dedicated family law specialists. Our expert team of family law solicitors and lawyers can provide detailed advice and consultation, face-to-face in our London office or virtually via Zoom, Microsoft Teams, WhatsApp, or Phone. Book your appointment today using the appointment booking link provided below:
Our family law solicitors are ready to assist you with your application for a specific issue order. Book your appointment today for personalised guidance and support.
Our Fees for Specific Issue Order Applications
We can act for you on an hourly rate basis for your application for a prohibited steps order or a specific issue order, at £245 + VAT per hour. In addition to our fees, you must pay all disbursements, including the court fee and the Barrister's fee.
Get a Fee Quote for Your Specific Issue Order Application
At Premium Solicitors, we believe in transparency and simplicity. We offer fixed-fee quotes for our specialist divorce and family law services.
Ready to get started? Use the link below to request a fixed-fee quote tailored to your needs.
How to Engage Us for Your Divorce and Family Law Matter?
You can instruct divorce and family law solicitors in London at Premium Solicitors for your divorce and family law matter by getting in contact with us using one of the following means of contact:
Call Us: 0044 20 3930 3900
Email Us: familylaw@premiumsolicitors.co.uk
Complete Enquiry Form: Send your enquiry through our website enquiry form
Book an Appointment Online: You can book an appointment with one of our specialist divorce and family law solicitors in London for detailed advice and consultation on your matter.
FAQs - Specific Issue Orders
The following are various Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the specific issue orders:
A Specific Issue Order is a type of court order made under the Children Act 1989 to resolve a disagreement between parents or individuals with parental responsibility about a specific aspect of a child’s upbringing. The Family Court can decide issues such as education, medical treatment, religion, travel abroad, change of surname, or where a child should live.
You can apply for a Specific Issue Order when parents or guardians cannot agree on an important decision affecting a child. Common disputes include:
- Which school should the child attend
- Consent for medical treatment
- Permission to take a child abroad
- Religious upbringing
- Changing the child’s surname
- Relocation within the UK or overseas
The court will always consider the child’s welfare as the most important factor.
The following people may apply for a Specific Issue Order:
- Parents with parental responsibility
- Guardians
- Special guardians
- Individuals named in a Child Arrangements Order
- Other persons with permission from the Family Court
Our team of family law solicitors at Premium Solicitors can assess whether you are eligible to apply.
The Family Court considers the welfare checklist under the Children Act 1989, including:
- The wishes and feelings of the child (depending on age and maturity)
- The child’s physical, emotional, and educational needs
- The likely effect of any change in circumstances
- Any risk of harm to the child
- The capability of each parent or guardian
The court’s primary concern is always the best interests of the child.
No. A Specific Issue Order is used to decide a particular issue relating to a child’s upbringing. If you want to prevent a parent from taking a specific action, such as removing a child from school or taking them abroad, you may need a Prohibited Steps Order instead.
The duration of a Specific Issue Order depends on the issue being decided. Some orders apply to one specific event, while others may remain effective until the child reaches the age of 16 or 18, depending on the circumstances.
In many cases, you may be required to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) before making an application to the Family Court. However, exemptions may apply in situations involving domestic abuse, urgency, or child protection concerns.
Grandparents and other relatives may apply for a Specific Issue Order, but they often need permission from the court before making the application unless they already have parental responsibility or another qualifying legal status.
The timeframe depends on the complexity of the dispute and the court’s schedule. Urgent applications may be heard more quickly, especially where there are safeguarding concerns or risks to the child.
Failure to comply with a Specific Issue Order can result in enforcement action by the court. The court may impose penalties, vary existing orders, or make further orders to protect the child’s welfare.
Yes. Either party can apply to the court to vary or discharge a Specific Issue Order if circumstances change significantly or if the order is no longer in the child’s best interests.
At Premium Solicitors, our experienced family law solicitors provide expert legal advice and representation for Specific Issue Order applications and disputes. We offer:
- Specialist family law advice
- Fixed fee services where appropriate
- Face-to-face and remote appointments
- Representation throughout Family Court proceedings
- Professional and practical guidance focused on the child’s welfare