When Children Are Involved

Child Contact and Residence Orders do as they say and look to formally layout decisions made regarding children in the event of a separation or divorce.

Child Contact and Residence Orders

The order can decide:

Where the child or children will live
When and where they will spend their time with each parent
When and what other means of contact are allowed to take place i.e phone calls, Skype/Facetime calls etc.

If there is a dispute over which parent the child/children in question should live with for example, then the courts would decide based on welfare factors and which parent was deemed to be the ‘main’ carer before the separation or divorce occurred.

Specific Issue Orders

Much as the name suggests, these are orders that look at specific areas/issues/choices regarding numerous parental responsibilities in connection with how a child is brought up if the parents are unable to come to an agreement.

The order can cover:

Education including what school they should attend and whether or not they should have a religious education
Allowing one parent to remove a child/children from the UK for a holiday when the other parent disagrees
Name changes and if your child’s surname should change
Medical treatment.

Children’s Panel Hearings

Sometimes a parent or parents will find themselves unable to care adequately for their child/children. In such circumstances, they can find themselves involved with the Social Work Department, and in turn, this may result in them having to attend the Children’s Hearing.

‘The Children’s Hearings System is Scotland’s unique care and justice system for children and young people. It aims to ensure the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable children and young people through a decision-making lay tribunal called the Children’s Panel.’
(chscotland.gov.uk/the-childrens-hearings-system).

Our highly experienced and proactive Family Law team will support and advise you in relation to the procedures involved in a Children’s Hearing. We can help put forward your position, clearly articulating your circumstances to ensure you are adequately and fairly represented.

Getting the right representation in a position such as this can occasionally mean the difference between children being removed from the care of their parents, or not.

Children Referral Proceedings

Children’s Referral Proceedings are linked to The Children’s Hearing System (Panel Hearings). When a Child Protection Order is being sought by the Children’s Reporter, grounds for referral covering the basis upon which the Protection Order is required, are laid before The Panel.

If a parent or parents disagree with those grounds then The Panel will refer the case to the Sheriff Court to make a decision. In those circumstances, a court hearing referred to as a ‘Children’s Referral’ will be fixed.

As soon as anyone receives a notification that their child or children will be the subject of a Panel Hearing they should obtain legal representation immediately.

Our very experienced and compassionate Family Law team will guide you through the process involved in a Panel Hearing from beginning to end. We aim to represent you to the best of our ability, clearly articulating your circumstances to ensure you are adequately and fairly represented.

Free no-obligation meeting

For a sensitive yet realistic approach to your requirements, get in touch with our expert Family Law solicitors. We offer a free no-obligation initial meeting which we can use to go over your individual circumstances and goals in order to advise you on the best way forward.

Divorce / Separation

Although the circumstances around the breakdown of a marriage are personal and each divorce is different, they tend to bring with them a whole host of similar questions.

Fixed Fee Divorce

We pride ourselves on offering transparent, upfront advice about fees across all our services from the outset and where possible, always look to give an idea of costs.

Separation Agreements / Minute of Agreement

Separations can get complicated, confusing and messy. The best way to know where you stand and what has been agreed is to write it down.

Cohabitation Agreements

Although from 2006 couples who lived together were given certain rights in Scotland, it is still recommended that you draw up a Cohabitation Agreement for peace of mind now and for the future.

Prenuptial Agreements

Once thought of as something only for the rich and famous, a Prenuptial Agreement or ‘Prenup’ as they are more commonly known, is fast becoming much more commonplace for a number of reasons.

When Children Are Involved

Child Contact and Residence Orders do as they say and look to formally layout decisions made regarding children in the event of a separation or divorce.

What our Family Law clients say

Superb Service! I recently required the services of a solicitor. Having dealt with W and AS Bruce before with house purchases, I had no hesitation in contacting them for assistance. The entire process was seamless and I was fully appraised of what was happening throughout the process. They made what could have been a difficult situation, very straightforward for myself and my now ex-wife.
Helen Gibb and Selina Mackay are an absolute credit to the firm and I would have no hesitation in seeking their help again.

Keith

Been with this company for a while now and have to say best solicitor I've ever had. Very committed and very responsive to calls emails etc. Mr Grieve is a very likeable and well educated man who definitely knows his stuff and takes his clients very seriously. Can't fault this company in any way. Definitely recommend for family solicitors.

Jackie Whyte

Having been on a multi-year journey through the courts with several family-related issues, I employed W & AS Bruce to represent me.

From start to finish no issue was too much trouble. Excellent staff, fantastic communication and always able to handle really emotional subjects with care and understanding. The entire team that I have dealt with have went above and beyond in their service and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them based on my family law journey. A great team and excellent service.

John K Mackie

No words can express how grateful I am for Selina and Helen's help over the last 5 years. They have bent over backwards and earned fantastic results for me. I will be eternally grateful for the work they have done for me and my family. Very professional, hard working and Genuinely nice people. They proved it is more than just a job. Thank you both so much. Rach xxx

Rachel Nicol

I engaged the services of W & A S Bruce over several years to represent me in trying to gain custody of my son, and latterly to obtain a divorce. At all times I was given excellent advice, was kept up to date with progress, and the whole process was handled professionally and sensitively. Would not hesitate to use W & A S Bruce in the future if I need legal representation or advice.

William White

I used W&AS Bruce for a simplified divorce. I personally liked that I only had to visit twice, once to pay the bill and once to sign some papers and everything else was communicated through email. In this circumstance that was easiest for me. Everyone was friendly and approachable when I visited. I would use their services again if I needed to.

Yvonne Fotheringham

I can’t thank Selina, Helen, Charles Campbell & all other staff who were all very friendly, helpful & very professional. I would highly recommend W&AS Bruce to anyone who needs legal advice

Glynis Thomas

Selina has supported us through our court cases in the family court over the past 4 years and has been extremely helpful, professional and caring. She has gone out of her way to help us and I would definitely recommend her!

Marscha Ross

Family issues took me through the doors of the office. Residency needed to be sorted. From start to finish the whole staff showed compassion, understanding and an immense ability to separate and handle the emotion and hurt from the facts and issues. Very few law firms nowadays leave you feeling important but every email, every communication and every bit of stress was dealt with in such an understanding way.

John K. Mackie, Cowdenbeath

Kate Howitt worked tirelessly with me, always kept me in the loop. Great communication on the phone at short notice too. Emails, phone calls, face-to-face meetings when possible, during Covid. She has advised me well on Family Law for 3.5 years during a long court battle.

Joan

It has been a long journey from my initial meeting with Selina. Although the divorce experience could never be described as pleasurable, all of the staff at W&AS Bruce made it as easy as possible due to their professionalism and diligence. I would have no hesitation in recommending W&AS Bruce to anyone seeking legal representation on any matter.

Alan Anderson, Crossford

Last year W&AS Bruce carried out conveyancing on 2 properties for me and my husband and I have no hesitation is recommending Janine for your Conveyancing, Wills and Power of Attorney work. What did we contract Janine to do? The answer has to be to provide peace of mind and security for us and an easier journey for our family in the event that we are unable to manage our own affairs.

Renee & Bruce Elliott

I have been a client of W and AS Bruce, Dunfermline, since 1999 and have availed myself of their services on four occasions in that time. Sadly, the last time was during the emotional minefield of a divorce. My Solicitor was Selina Mackay, ably assisted by Paralegal Helen Gibb. They were exceptional.

John V Lloyd, Dunfermline