Family Law Services
Expert Child Law Solicitors
The specialist solicitors at Grant Stephens Family Law understand how difficult and emotional children matters can be. We approach every children matter, no matter how complex, with empathy and compassion, ensuring that you feel supported throughout the process.

When children are involved in disputes, you need proactive guidance that considers both you and your children. It is vital to maintain stability for your children as soon as possible to maintain their welfare as well as your own.
Our family lawyers at Grant Stephens Family Law are well experienced in dealing with a range of issues within family law and the advice provided with be personalised and individual to your situation and based on our unparalleled understanding of family law. We will act swiftly on your behalf, representing you to the highest possible degree to achieve the result that is in the best interest of you and your children.
Your Local Private Child Law Solicitors
With offices in central Cardiff and the SA1 Waterfront area of Swansea, our specialist family law solicitors are perfectly positioned to assist clients in Wales, across the UK and internationally in a comprehensive range of private child arrangement matters, from disputes between parents and grandparents, to surrogacy. We offer appointments in person and via Microsoft Teams, allowing you to get expert advice to suit your availability.
What makes us different?
Grant Stephens Family Law is a boutique, specialist family law firm, with its roots embedded in Wales.
We were founded in Cardiff by Grant Stephens in 2013, and have consistently grown, allowing us to offer our services in Wales’ two largest cities. Grant Stephens Family Law has been recognised for many years as a leading firm by the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners and we boast an impressive 4.9 star rating on review solicitors.
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What laws in England and Wales protect children?
The Children Act 1989
The Children Act of 1989 is a UK law that prioritises the welfare of children, defines parental responsibility and clarifies what orders the family court can make in respect of children.
The act defines parental responsibility as all the rights and authority a parent has regarding their child. Some of the key points of the act include:
- Mothers automatically gain parental responsibility after birth
- Fathers who are married to the mother also automatically gain parental responsibility after birth
- Unmarried fathers can acquire parental responsibility through being named on the birth certificate, entering an agreement with the mother or by obtaining a court order
The Children Act 2004
This act built on the 1989 law and its primary provisions were:
- Created a statutory framework for cross‑agency cooperation to improve children’s well‑being, embedded safeguarding duties across public authorities
- Establishing accountability for children’s services
- Rights of children, ensuring that children’s views and interests are considered when decisions are made about them.
Child Law Services
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Frequently Asked Questions about Child Law
Who can apply for a child arrangements order?
Parents or guardians of a child can make an application to the courts for a child arrangements order.
Additionally, the following people can also apply to the courts, however, they do require the permission of the court before an application is issued:
- Relatives if the child has lived with that relative for at least one year immediately preceding the application.
- Anyone who has lived with the child for at least 3 of the last 5 years.
- Any person in a marriage where the child or children was a part of the family – this may include step parents.
- Any person who does not fall within one of the categories above must obtain the court’s permission to apply. Those include:
- Grandparents and other relatives who do not meet a qualifying residence route (three year or one year) and do not have the requisite consents.
- Family friends or other individuals with a significant connection to the child who lack a qualifying residence route or the requisite consents.
Head to our child arrangements page for more information: Child Arrangement Orders
What age do child maintenance payments stop?
Child maintenance payments stop either when the child reached 16 years old, or if they continue into further education, it will continue until 20 years old.
Head to our child maintenance page for more information: Child Maintenance
Do grandparents have any rights over their grandchildren?
Under the law of England and Wales, grandparents do not have automatic legal rights over their grandchildren.
If the parents of the grandchild are denying contact, then there are legal avenues that you can go down through the family courts.
Head to our grandparents rights page for more information: Grandparents Rights
How are child arrangements decided?
Child arrangements will always be decided based on the welfare of the child and what is in the best interest of the child.
This includes considering the child’s needs and their relationship with each parent.
There are methods that can be used to decide the child arrangements:
- Mediation
- Agreement between both parties mutually and amicably
- Solicitor negotiations
- Court intervention























