Maintenance and Child Support
Applications a maintenance or child support may be brought on behalf of any child, or a parent against another sharing parental responsibility.
In determining such an application, the Court will have primary regard to the best interests of the child, the child’s needs together with the needs and financial resources of the person against whom the application is made.
The Family Law team at Samson Law can provide advice and representation in respect of all such matters be that where you wish to make an application, or where you are responding to an application made against you.
Specific Issue Orders
A specific issue order (SIO) is a court order that decides a specific aspect of a child's upbringing. It is often used to resolve disputes between parents who cannot agree on an issue, such as:
- Which school the child should attend;
- Whether the child should receive religious education;
- Whether the child should have contact with a particular person; or
- Whether the child should be allowed to travel abroad.
Specific issue orders can be made on their own or as part of other family court proceedings, including divorce.
A specific issue order will only be made where the Court is satisfied that doing so would be in the best interests of the child.
Moreover, when reaching a decision, the Court will usually consider the child's wishes and feelings, the child's needs, and the relationship between the child and their parents.
Once a specific issue order is made, it is binding on both parents. If either parent breaches the order, they may be held in contempt of court.
The Family Law team at Samson Law can provide advice and representation in respect of all such matters.