Specialist advice and representation in child arrangements, parental responsibility, relocation, parental alienation and care proceedings — protecting your child's welfare and your role in their life.
Children law covers the legal framework for decisions about a child's care, welfare and upbringing when parents or carers cannot agree — or when a child's safety is in question. It divides broadly into two areas: private law, which deals with disputes between parents or family members (such as who a child lives with and how much time they spend with each parent), and public law, which involves the local authority and arises where there are concerns about a child's safety or welfare, potentially leading to care or supervision proceedings.
Most children law matters begin outside court, through negotiation, mediation, or agreement between parents. The court becomes involved where parties cannot agree on arrangements, where a child's safety is at risk, where urgent protection is needed, or where a local authority has initiated care proceedings.
Seema Kansal advises and represents parents, grandparents, guardians and other family members in both private and public children law matters — from straightforward child arrangements disputes to complex, sensitive cases involving parental alienation, international relocation, domestic abuse, or local authority care proceedings.
In every case, the child's welfare is the court's paramount consideration — and Seema's approach reflects that, combining firm, well-prepared advocacy for her client's position with a clear focus on outcomes that genuinely work for the child involved.
Children law covers private disputes between parents (private law) and cases involving local authority intervention for a child's safety (public law). The court's central focus in every case is the child's welfare, not simply what either parent wants.
Seema advises and represents clients across the full range of children law work — from routine arrangements disputes to urgent, high-stakes applications requiring immediate court intervention.
Advice and representation on applications determining where a child lives and the contact arrangements with the other parent — negotiated wherever possible, or determined by the court where agreement isn't reached.
LEARN MOREAdvice on acquiring, exercising or disputing parental responsibility — the legal rights and duties a parent has in making decisions about a child's upbringing, education, health and welfare.
LEARN MORERepresentation where contact arrangements have broken down or are disputed — working towards practical, child-focused solutions, with firm advocacy where a contested hearing becomes necessary.
LEARN MOREAdvice on what is now known as "child arrangements" (previously "custody") — helping clients understand their legal position and pursue arrangements that reflect their child's best interests.
LEARN MOREApplications to resolve a particular disagreement about a child's upbringing — such as schooling, medical treatment, or religious upbringing — where parents cannot agree on a single significant decision.
LEARN MOREUrgent applications to prevent a parent from taking a specific action affecting the child — such as removing them from school, changing their name, or taking them abroad without consent.
LEARN MORESensitive, evidence-focused advice and representation in cases where a child's relationship with a parent is being deliberately undermined — a complex and emotionally difficult area requiring careful handling.
LEARN MOREAdvice for grandparents seeking contact with or involvement in a grandchild's life, including the permission stage required before a grandparent can apply for a child arrangements order.
LEARN MOREAdvice for a parent wishing to relocate with a child within England and Wales, or representation for a parent opposing such a move — balancing the child's welfare against each parent's circumstances.
LEARN MORESpecialist advice on applications to relocate a child abroad, or to oppose an international move, including the complex welfare and jurisdictional issues these cross-border cases raise.
LEARN MOREUrgent advice and applications for Forced Marriage Protection Orders, providing legal protection for young people and vulnerable family members at risk of forced marriage.
LEARN MORERepresentation in children law cases involving allegations of domestic abuse, ensuring a child's safety is properly addressed within arrangements while protecting a client's own position.
LEARN MOREAdvice on raising and responding to allegations of coercive and controlling behaviour within children proceedings, recognised as a serious form of domestic abuse under family law.
LEARN MORERepresentation for parents or family members in public law care proceedings brought by a local authority, including at Family Court and, where relevant, appeals to a higher court.
LEARN MOREFocused advocacy at fact finding hearings, where the court determines disputed factual allegations — often domestic abuse — that will shape the outcome of the wider children proceedings.
LEARN MOREUrgent, sometimes without-notice applications where a child's immediate safety or welfare is at risk — prepared and presented to the court as quickly as the circumstances demand.
LEARN MOREChildren law cases are rarely simple. Even a seemingly straightforward contact dispute can become complex where allegations, relocation, or a child's own wishes come into play — and cases involving parental alienation, international relocation, or local authority care proceedings demand a barrister who can handle real complexity with confidence. Seema Kansal has extensive experience across this full range, from private disputes between parents to public law care proceedings, always keeping the child's welfare at the centre of the strategy.
These cases also demand sensitivity. Parents, grandparents and guardians involved in children proceedings are often experiencing one of the most emotionally difficult periods of their lives, and Seema's approach combines firm, prepared court advocacy with genuine compassion for what clients are going through. Advice is given honestly — including where a client's preferred outcome is unlikely — because realistic expectations, not false reassurance, lead to better decisions.
International matters — relocation, cross-border contact, jurisdiction disputes — receive particular attention, given the additional legal complexity and time pressure these cases often involve. As a Direct Access barrister at FOURTEEN Chambers, Seema can also be instructed directly by clients without a solicitor, offering direct communication and often a more cost-effective route to expert representation. Whatever the case, the same standard applies: meticulous attention to detail in preparation and drafting, and strategic advice focused on the outcome that will actually work — for the client, and for the child.
A confidential conversation to understand your situation and what matters most to you and your child.
Careful review of the background, evidence, and any existing orders or proceedings.
A clear strategy built around your priorities and, above all, your child's welfare.
Skilled negotiation or confident court advocacy on your behalf, at every hearing.
A workable outcome — reached by agreement or court order — that supports your child going forward.
| Private Law | Public Law | |
|---|---|---|
| Who's involved | Parents / family members | Local authority + parents/family |
| Typical issue | Arrangements, contact, relocation | Child safety or welfare concerns |
| Common orders | Child Arrangements, Specific Issue, Prohibited Steps | Care Order, Supervision Order |
| Who starts proceedings | A parent or eligible family member | The local authority |
| Urgency | Varies — can include emergency applications | Often urgent, child protection-led |
Private law children cases are disputes between parents or family members over arrangements for a child. Public law cases involve the local authority and arise from concerns about a child's safety, potentially leading to care or supervision proceedings.