If you’ve received a letter before proceedings (PLO letter) inviting you to attend a pre-proceedings meeting (PLO Meeting) with social services, a Banner Jones expert in Chesterfield, Dronfield, Sheffield and Mansfield can help.
Talk to Banner Jones. We are ready to help you.
If the Local Authority are considering taking you to court due to concerns for your child, then they will usually send you a PLO Letter inviting you to a pre-proceedings meeting (PLO Meeting). PLO stands for "Public Law Outline" which sets out how proceedings for children are dealt with by the courts.
If you receive a PLO Letter it is important to get in touch with a solicitor as soon as you can. A PLO Meeting is your chance to avoid court proceedings, and we can help you by advising you before a PLO Meeting and accompanying you to the meeting. Our specialist Care solicitors will be able to explain the concerns the local authority has about the child and offer expert advice on how to resolve the situation most efficiently. Although PLO meetings are designed to be constructive, it may be upsetting for a parent to hear what the local authority has to say about their children. By offering independent legal advice, a solicitor will help to keep the discussion on track with a view to doing what is best for both the child(ren) and the parents. We aim to resolve problems at the earliest stage to avoid care proceedings in court. But if matters do escalate, we can continue to assist you throughout any court proceedings.
If you receive a PLO Letter in relation to your child or a child for whom you have parental responsibility you are eligible for Legal Aid to pay for the full cost of a solicitor to advise you before a meeting and also to attend the meeting with you
Legal Help is provided by the Legal Aid Agency in some circumstances, subject to a means test. We are happy to have an initial discussion with you free of charge to discuss how we may able to help.
Legal Aid is always available for parents of children who are being taken to court by social services”. Find out more about Legal Aid.
Several of our care solicitors are on the Law Society's Children Panel. Only solicitors who meet the Law Society’s exacting accreditation requirements are permitted to join the Children Panel and represent children in public law care proceedings.
Our experts in public law care proceedings can provide you with support and guidance throughout the care proceeding's process. We are specialists in cases involving non-accidental injury and child neglect.
What’s the worst that could happen if you don’t have a Will? Our expert Wills solicitors have explain what can happen, in simple terms, in our guide.
Legal 500Vince Beckworth leads the busy care proceedings team where he is highly regarded for his representation of parents, family members and interveners in children’s care proceedings
Talk to Banner Jones. We are ready to help you.
Non-residential parents have to pay maintenance for their children; hopefully the amount can be agreed though negotiation and if not then the CSA will decide. Each case is different. If for example the Mum and the children stay in the family home then she may relinquish her claims over any other assets such as pension and savings in return. Our family law solicitors can advise on your specific circumstances.
You can get divorced in England or Wales if all of the following are true:
The aim when sharing out matrimonial assets is to be fair. Both spouses have to make full disclosure about their assets and debts before any decisions can be made about distribution, trying to hide anything won't work. Factors which are important when sharing out the assets include the current and future needs of each spouse and any dependent children; the length of marriage and the age, earning capacity and contributions of each party. Our family law Chesterfield team can guide you through this process.
Your aim should be that both parents still play an active part in the raising of the child/children. Usually, parents sort this out amongst themselves, although if there are problems, mediation can be a good way to resolve this. Our family law solicitors will advise you on Shared Care Agreements and Live With and Spend Time with Orders. Going to Court should always be the last resort when children are involved.
No, getting a divorce should be an administrative exercise only, and there are many options open to you that avoid going to Court.
Making a Will is commonly associated as something you do in later life however, in reality anyone over the age of 18 can have a Will and we would strongly recommend it to anyone with children.
Just how binding are Pre-nuptial Agreements in the British Courts? Well a recent ruling of the High Court on a French ‘pre-nuptial agreement’ pretty much spells it out.
What’s the worst that could happen if you don’t have a Will? Our expert Wills solicitors have explain what can happen, in simple terms, in our guide.
The Legal Aid Authority will accept the following evidence of children being at risk of abuse outlined in our PDF article.
To find out more about Care Proceedings and how they work, read the article.
Getting through a divorce or separation is hard at the best of times but is often even harder when there are children involved in the relationship. Use our helpful guide for tips on explaining the situation to the children.
We’ve enlisted the help of some local relationship counsellors in Sheffield to provide you with some survival advice to help get you through a divorce.
Ms J, MansfieldCare Proceedings
Can’t thank you enough for everything, and for explaining things to me. Would use the company again. Friendly, nice, understanding and on time for appointments too.
Mr C, StanfreeI would like to thank you in all you have done for me in respect of these issues and I will not hesitate to come to you for further advice as and when needed.
Mr & Mrs W, AlfretonThankyou Helena Downing for all your excellent service.
Mr & Mrs R, ChesterfeldHelena I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for believing in us. Without you I don't know what we would have done.
Mrs W, MansfieldVery efficient, friendly and professional. We would definitely recommend to friends and family. They made the whole experience problem free.
Mr & Mrs S, BridlingtonWe’re really grateful for the work you did for us. 10 out of 10!
Mr C, DronfieldVery easy to make appointments, very personal service from all people at Banner Jones, my solicitor was very friendly and put me at ease. If I needed a solicitor again, Banner Jones would be the first on my list.
Miss H, NottinghamshireBrilliant service, kept well informed all the way through the process. Would definitely recommend.
Mr & Mrs D, MansfieldCannot fault the service, efficient, prompt and cautious. Matters explained very well and clearly. Pleasantly surprised.
Mr W, NottinghamshireService provided was excellent. All the staff were very helpful, considerate and professional. I would highly recommend to friends and family.
