Child Relocation Law Solicitors

Clear, decisive advice whether you’re planning to move with your child, or opposing a move you don’t agree with, in the UK or overseas.

Advice on relocating with your child, within the UK or abroad
Support if you’re opposing a move you haven’t agreed to
Fast, practical guidance when time is short
Direct access to a specialist solicitor, not a call centre

Get in touch

Book your consultation using the link below. Prefer to talk first? Call 0345 222 8222

Whether you’re the parent hoping to move for a new job, a fresh start, or to be closer to family, or the parent worried about losing time with your child, relocation cases move quickly and feel high-stakes. Our children law solicitors, led by Louise Halford, help parents on both sides of a relocation dispute understand their rights and act fast.

When do you need advice on child relocation?

You want to move abroad, or elsewhere in the UK, with your child, and your child’s other parent doesn’t agree
Your child’s other parent has told you they’re planning to move with your child, and you want to oppose it
You’re planning a move and aren’t sure whether you need a court order first
You’re worried your child could be taken abroad without your knowledge or agreement

Whether you’re planning to move, or trying to stop one, here’s how we help

We listen and advise fast – relocation cases move quickly, so we’ll assess your situation and explain your options as soon as we can.
We act to protect your position – where there’s a risk of an unauthorised move, we can apply urgently for protective orders.
We help you build your case – gathering the evidence a court will want to see, whether you’re seeking permission to move or opposing someone else’s.
We represent you in court – including applications under the Hague Convention where a child has already been taken abroad.

Practical tips if you’re planning to move with your child

Start early – research your destination, schooling and how contact with the other parent will work before you raise it or make a court application.
Apply to court in good time – if agreement isn’t possible, a court application can take several months.
Don’t rush – moving without agreement or a court order first can cause serious problems, including allegations of child abduction.
Check you need permission, even with dual nationality – the rules are based on where your child normally lives, not their nationality.
Be flexible on contact – offering generous holiday time and regular video calls can make agreement more likely.
Think about the wider family – it’s worth factoring in how a move affects grandparents, step-siblings or cousins.

Getting relocation advice is straightforward

1

Get in touch – call us on 0345 222 8 222 or send us a message through our website, whichever suits you best.
2

We meet – we’ll arrange a time to talk things through, in person, by phone or by video call, so we can gather everything we need to understand your situation
3

We get to work – once you’re ready to go ahead, we start on your case straight away.

Why choose Evolve for child relocation and international family law

Fast when it matters

We understand relocation cases are often urgent, and we act quickly.

Experience on both sides

We’ve helped parents get permission to relocate, and helped parents stop a move they didn’t agree with

International reach

Our international family law expertise covers cross-border issues like the Hague Convention and mirror orders.

Employee-owned

Everyone you deal with has a personal stake in getting the right outcome for your family.

Transparent pricing

Our fees are published online.

Meet the team

Our children law and international family law specialist, Louise Halford, leads on relocation and abduction cases, helping parents on both sides of these disputes reach the right outcome for their family.

Louise Halford

Solicitor & Founding Director
Debra Lowy

Managing Senior Solicitor
Andrew Lee

Solicitor
Rachael Wood

Solicitor

Child relocation law – your questions answered

Only with the agreement of everyone who has parental responsibility for your child, or a court order giving you permission. Moving without either can amount to child abduction, even if you’re your child’s main carer.

Not lawfully, unless you have a court order. If you can’t reach agreement, you’ll need to apply to court, explain why the move is in your child’s best interests, and set out how contact with the other parent would work afterwards.

A leave to remove order is the court order that gives a parent permission to take their child to live abroad when the other parent (or anyone else with parental responsibility) doesn’t agree to the move.

It depends on whether a Child Arrangements Order is already in place. If one exists and your move would breach it, you’ll need the other parent’s agreement or a court order to vary it. If there’s no existing order, you don’t need court permission, but it’s best to discuss your plans first – your ex could otherwise apply for a specific issue order, prohibited steps order, or Child Arrangements Order to object (our children law page covers these orders in more detail).

You can appeal the decision, wait and reapply later once circumstances change, or move without your child while contact arrangements are worked out. Each option carries different risks, so it’s worth taking advice before deciding.

The court will usually make a Child Arrangements Order setting out where you can move to and how contact will work, covering things like the frequency of video calls, how often and for how long your child can visit the parent left behind, and whether they can fly unaccompanied. In some cases, the court will also require a “mirror order” in the destination country, so the arrangements can be enforced there too.

This is treated as urgently as possible. Many countries, including most of Europe, have signed the Hague Convention, under which a child taken without agreement or a court order is normally returned to the country they were taken from as quickly as possible. Our child abduction solicitors page covers this in more detail – if you’re in this situation now, please call us straight away.

Move forward with confidence, wherever that takes your family

Relocation cases move fast, and getting the right advice early can make all the difference, whether you’re planning a move or trying to stop one. There’s no pressure and no obligation.

Book your child relocation consultation or call us on 0345 222 8 222