What is a Prohibited Steps Order and when is it used?

A Prohibited Steps Order is an order granted by the court which prevents a parent from doing something with a child or children. 

It allows the court to apply a restriction upon a mother or father’s parental responsibility. For example, a Prohibited Steps Order could do the following:

1) Prevent a parent from changing a child’s school;

2) Prevent a parent from taking a child out of the country; or

3) Prevent a parent from moving to another area of the country with a child.

Perhaps the most draconian exercise of this power is when an order is made preventing a parent from removing the child or children from the care of the other parent altogether.  The court would only make such an order if it appeared that the child or children would be placed at risk if the order wasn’t made. 

A Prohibited Steps Order may be made in the course of proceedings concerning the child (in conjunction with another Child Arrangements Order under s8 of the Children Act 1989) or as a stand-alone application to the Court.

It is possible to make urgent applications to the court and to ask that the court grant the order without notice being sent to the other party.

George Green’s Specialist Family and Divorce Lawyers give advice regularly about children matters. If you wish to discuss your matter please Jane Williams on 01384 340 528 (jwilliams@georgegreen.co.uk) at our Cradley Heath office. We represent clients from the West Midlands and beyond including Dudley, Stourbridge, Cradley Heath and Wolverhampton.