Child Arrangements
Separation often brings heightened emotions and difficult decisions. Arguments drag on, emotions rise, and children quietly feel the impact.
For discerning parents, the prospect of years of conflict or leaving decisions to a judge is far from ideal.
At Alexander Christian, we offer something different: calm, structured solutions that prioritise your child’s welfare while protecting your peace of mind. Our role is to help you move beyond conflict, safeguard relationships, and create a stronger foundation for your family’s future.
Why Choose Us
Why Choose Alexander Christian
Why Discerning Clients Choose Us
Experience That Inspires Confidence
With over 30 years in dispute resolution and family law, we guide parents through the most sensitive of transitions with clarity and discretion.
A Holistic, Child-Centred Approach
We combine litigation expertise with mediation and low-conflict strategies, always focusing on constructive, practical outcomes that protect children.
Value Beyond Price
Our clients invest in insight, stability, and sustainable solutions — because true peace of mind is worth more than prolonged battles.
How We Support You
How We Support You
Parenting Plans
Bespoke, flexible, and designed around your family’s unique circumstances. A Parenting Plan allows you to retain control, avoid rigid court orders, and give your children a sense of certainty.
Solicitor Negotiation
Discreet, practical guidance that calms tensions before they escalate, protecting both children and co-parenting relationships.
Non-Court Pathways
From mediation to arbitration, collaborative law to roundtable meetings — we can discuss your options
Court Representation
When court becomes necessary, we represent you with composure and authority. Every step is handled with dignity, always keeping your children’s best interests at the centre.
Overcoming Challenges in Child Arrangements
Overcoming Challenges in Child Arrangements
Disagreements over residence, time spent, or significant decisions can feel impossible to resolve. Without intervention, disputes risk hardening into entrenched conflict.
We help you to:
- Defuse tension and prevent escalation
- Enhance communication and cooperation
- Strengthen co-parenting relationships
- Prepare you for mediation or court when required
A Distinctive First Step
A Distinctive First Step - Bespoke
The Child-Centred Preparation Session
A one-off, fixed-fee, 2-hour session designed to prepare you for mediation. You gain clarity, confidence, and a child-focused mindset before you even begin the process.
Early Guidance Sessions
In-depth, sessions that provide strategic insight, practical options, and access to early evaluation from a barrister if required. These sessions ensure you move forward with foresight and confidence.
Workshops
Workshops
Book your Appointment
Book your Appointment
At Alexander Christian, we help you step away from conflict and towards a cooperative, forward-looking framework.
Take the first step today — and begin shaping the future your children deserve.
Quick Contact: Family
Quick Contact - Family
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Glossary of Terms Often Used in Child Arrangements
Terms often used:
| Care and Control, Custody Order, Residence Oder Now referred to as 'live with' orders | Refers to an order which states where the children live |
| Visitation, Access, Contact Order Now referred to as 'time with' orders | Refers to an order which state the time the children spend with the parents |
| Child Arrangements | Is the term used to describe the arrangement for the children |
| Child Arrangements Order | A child arrangements order is an order (made under section 8 of the Children Act 1989) which sets out with who a child is to live with and when a child is to live, spend time or otherwise have contact with any person. So the court can make a child arrangements order saying that a child is to live with one parent and see the other at certain times. Or the court could say that the child is to live with both parents at certain times. |
| Parental Responsibility (PR) | Legally parental responsibility is all the rights, duties, powers, responsibilities and authority that a parent of a child has. The most important aspect of parental responsibility though is responsibility rather than rights. |
| Prohibited Steps Order (PSO) | All the rights, duties, powers, responsibilities, and authority which by law a parent of a child has in relation to the child and his property. |
| Specific Issue Order (SIO) | An order used to resolve a specific dispute concerning the child's upbringing where parents cannot agree. |
| Welfare Checklist | This is the statutory criteria that the court uses to determine what is in the best interests of the child. |
| Safeguarding | At the start of the case Cafcass will ask the police and any local authorities for the areas where the parties live or have lived recently to provide any information they have. This may include any criminal records held by the police or child protection or other information held by a local authority. The court should not make an order about children without safeguarding information unless the case is an urgent one requiring an immediate order. |
| Section 7 Report | The court may ask Cafcass or a local authority to do a report for the court about a child’s circumstances and to make a recommendation to the court about the sorts of orders that it should make. This report is prepared under section 7 of the Children Act 1989 and it should take into account the welfare checklist. |
| Section 37 report | The court may think that a child is at possible risk of harm such that the local authority might consider making an application to the court for a care or supervision order. The court can ask a local authority to report under section 37 of the Children Act 1989 whether it intends to apply for a care or supervision order. At the same time the court may make an interim (short term) care order. If the local authority is not going to apply for a care or supervision order it should tell the court what support (if any) it intends giving the family concerned. |
| First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment (FHDRA) | Normally the first hearing the court will hold is called the First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment. The purpose of that hearing is to try and resolve as many issues as possible. Many cases resolve completely at this point. A Cafcass officer should be on hand to speak to the parties and advise the court. Some courts also have a mediator available. If the case does not resolve completely then the court will set what has to happen so that any remaining issues can be dealt with properly. You may hear this referred to as case management or the court giving directions. The court may at this hearing also make short term orders about arrangements for the children (interim orders). Otherwise the court might fix another hearing for that to be considered (an interim hearing). |
| No order principle | The courts should not impose outcomes on adults concerning children if the adults can resolve matters for themselves. As a result the starting position is that the court will not make an order unless it is better for the child to do so. If there has been a difficult argument over arrangements for a child resulting in the court having to make a decision, it may be that it is better for the child for the court to make an order to ensure as far as possible that what has been decided actually happens. But in very many cases it is enough to note what the parties have agreed and an order is simply not needed. |
Some of the information provided is subject to crown copyright
Contact Details
Get in Touch at Any Time
Do not hesitate to contact us with any queries.
Alexander Christian
Harrow Business Centre
429-433 Pinner Road
North Harrow
Middlesex
Greater London
HA1 4HN
Phone : 020 4578 4684
www.alexanderchristian.co.uk
Service Areas: Family Law Solicitors, Divorce Solicitors, Child Lawyers, Contact, Residence, Custody, Parental Responsibility, Sole Care, Shared Care, Joint Care, Cafcass, Divorce, Separation, Financial Settlement, Coparenting, Mediation.
Our clients come from the following areas: Watford, Moor Park, South Oxhey, Harrow, North Harrow, West Harrow, South Harrow, Northwick Park, Northwick, Uxbridge, Pinner, Pinner High Street, Pinner Green, Rayners Lane, Hatch End, Uxbridge, Stanmore, Stanmore Broadway, Canons Park, Kingsbury, Edgware, Northolt, Eastcote, Ruislip, Ruislip Manor, Ruislip Common, Headstone, Headstone Manor, Northolt, Northwood, Kensal Rise, Preston Road, Kingsbury, Queensbury, Wembley, Wembley Park, North Wembley, Wembley Central, Brent Park, Sudbury, Sudbury Hill, Kenton, South Kenton, Neasden, Dollis Hill, Willesden, Willesden Green, Cricklewood, Cricklewood Town, Gladstone Park, Kilburn, Kilburn Park, West Kilburn, Queens Park, Brondesbury Park, Maida Vale, Belsize Park, Kentish Town, Camden, Harlesden, Roundwood Park, Barnet, Burnt Oak, Colindale, Golders Green, Brent Cross, Hampstead, Hampstead Heath, West Hampstead, Kilburn, Finchley Road, Swiss Cottage, Notting Hill, Paddington, North London, North West London, and surrounding areas.