Prohibited steps order
Prohibited steps orders can be made by a family court to ensure your child is protected
Our family law experts can guide and support you in making a successful application for a PSO
Prohibited steps orders
A prohibited steps order (PSO) in family law is a court order issued to prevent a specific action from being taken regarding a child. It is typically used when there's concern that a parent (or someone with parental responsibility) might make decisions that could affect a child’s welfare.
You might consider using a PSO when there's a serious concern about a child's welfare and a potential decision by someone with parental responsibility that could be harmful. Here are some of the scenarios in which you would use a PSO:
Relocation - If you’re worried that the other parent is planning to move the child away from you, potentially disrupting their education, social life or relationship with you, a PSO could prevent this relocation until a formal agreement is reached.
Medical treatment - Sometimes, parents disagree about their child's medical treatment. A PSO could be used to prevent unauthorised medical procedures.
Contact restriction - If you have safety concerns in regard to your child's contact with their other parent or another individual, a PSO could restrict unsupervised contact until the situation is assessed and deemed safe.
Abduction risk - If you have a reason to believe the other parent might abduct the child and take them out of the jurisdiction, a PSO can be crucial in preventing this.
Changing a child's name - Disagreement about a child's name change can be a source of conflict. A PSO can make sure that this doesn’t happen unilaterally.
The key factor with prohibited step orders, as with all areas of family law involving children, is the child's best interests. The court will only grant a PSO if they believe the prohibited action would be detrimental to the child's well-being.
PSOs are typically temporary measures put in place until a more permanent custody agreement is established through negotiation or court proceedings. We advise that you talk to a family law solicitor before making an application for a PSO. Belderbos Solicitors can advise you on this process, the likelihood of success and the potential implications based on your specific situation.
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The pros and cons of prohibited steps orders
Prohibited steps orders are a common mechanism used by a parent when they have serious concerns about the welfare of their child. We often talk to people who are worried about what the child’s other parent might do. PSOs can be highly effective but remember, this is a court intervention, and there are advantages and disadvantages to using them to address family matters.
Pros
Cons
Conclusion:
If you've weighed up the pros and cons and are still considering applying for a prohibited steps order, it's crucial to seek legal advice to understand the process and implications specific to your situation.
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