Prohibited Steps Orders

The Children Act 1989 provides the Family Court with the power to make Prohibited Steps Orders in respect of children under Section 8 of that Act. These are injunctive orders prohibiting a parent taking steps or actions which are not in the interests of the child’s welfare.

Common uses of such orders are to restrain a parent from foreign travel, from enrolling a child at a school which is not agreed between the parents, to prohibit removal of a child from a parent’s care (other than for agreed or court-ordered contact), or for other specific purposes.

Members of Harcourt are frequently instructed to act in all of the above areas and experienced in advising on all aspects of such applications.

Recent Cases:

• A Mother v A Father & Anor [2023] EWFC 163
• Re H (A Minor) (Child Arrangements: Section 91(14) Order) [2023] EWFC 89
• F v M & Ors [2023] EWFC 172