Why You Should Choose RVS Solicitors for Cases of Restricted Contact in Child Arrangement Orders

By Rakhi Singal

Rakhi Singal is Founder, Director and Head of Family Law at RVS Solicitors. Studying at Bournemouth University and BPP Law School, Rakhi quickly gained a profile in the industry for her work. After creating and successfully managing the Family Law & Civil Litigation department at a leading Legal 500 law firm in London, a role that she was headhunted for, she got the idea to create a law firm in her own image. RVS Solicitors was created and has subsequently helped hundreds to achieve their legal goals, start new futures and obtain justice. A highly regarded family lawyer in the UK, Rakhi gained industry recognition for her relentless attitude, negotiation skills and her ability to always stay calm under pressure and provides a high level of expertise, knowledge and service to our clients every day.

When a child’s welfare is at stake, family courts in England and Wales follow the principle of prioritising the best interests of the child. While maintaining contact with both parents is generally encouraged, there are circumstances where this may not be safe or appropriate. Courts can impose restrictions on contact when necessary, and understanding these factors is crucial for navigating sensitive family matters effectively.

If you are in a situation where contact with a parent may be restricted, having expert legal representation is essential. At RVS Solicitors, we provide the guidance, expertise, and support you need to make informed decisions and protect both your rights and your child’s well-being. Here’s why choosing RVS Solicitors is your best option when dealing with restricted contact cases.

Domestic Abuse: Ensuring Safety for the Child and Resident Parent

One of the most critical reasons for restricting contact in child arrangement orders is the presence of domestic abuse. Whether physical violence, coercive control, or other forms of abuse, the courts are obligated to safeguard the child and the parent they live with from potential harm.

It is important to underrstand that the court will have different approach when the abuse is perpatutared against the child or the parent. In case of abusive actions against the child, the courts are a ot more inclined to restrict the access of the parent to the child, in order to safeguard the child.

However, if the victim of abuse is the parent, rather than the child, the possibility that the courts will restrict the contact with the child is not as likely and requries a more complex approach. As an example, in one of the case our team has recently handled the Court refused face-to-face contact due to the risk of harm to the mother. This was on the basis of evidence of serious campaign of abuse against the mother, carried out by the father, which involved multiple episodes of the child witnessing horrific actions. This led the court to finding that a direct contact with the father which have destabilized the child’s living arrangements and traumatised the child further.

It is important to understand that not every allegation of domestic abuse against the other parent will lead to the contact with the child being restricted. The courts approach it as a balancing exercise. First, any allegations of abuse need to be clearly proven. Furtehrmore, if the alleged abuse is perpetutated against the parent, prohibited contact after serious findings of abuse, underscoring the importance of protecting both the child and the non-abusive parent from further trauma.

How RVS Solicitors Can Help?

If you are facing or have experienced domestic abuse, we provide compassionate and comprehensive legal advice. Our solicitors will help you gather evidence, present your case, and ensure any court orders prioritize safety and well-being for all involved.

Emotional and Psychological Harm: Protecting Your Child’s Mental Well-Being

The courts also take emotional and psychological harm seriously when making decisions about child contact. Hostility between parents or harmful behaviour can have a profound impact on a child’s mental health.

In one of the cases handled by our family team, the mother’s hostility towards the father caused severe emotional harm to the child. It had started as a parental alienation case, with our team simply trying to achieve stable contact for our client. However, as the case continued, the impact of the mother’s actions on the child’s mental health became apaprent and our team then applied for the child’s residence to be moved to the father and limit contact with the mother. The court found in favour of our client as the child’s need for emotional stability and therapeutic intervention outweighed the necessity for contact with the mother.

It should be said that such matters are always very complex and can be highly unpredictable. There are number of cases where the outcomes have been quite different to the above. These type of matters will always be highly emotional and contested, therefore before making any decision in entering a legal battle, all aspects should be carefully considered.

How RVS Solicitors Can Help?

We will work with you to understand the specific emotional risks involved in your case and present compelling arguments to the court. Our team has extensive experience ensuring that children’s emotional health and stability remain at the forefront of any legal proceedings. We also conduct the cases with the child’s best interest in mind, attempting to minimise the inpact of the ongoing proceedigns on children involved.

Parental Alienation: Addressing Manipulation and Safeguarding Relationships

Parental alienation is another key issue that courts consider when determining restricted contact arrangements. It occurs when one parent manipulates a child into rejecting or fearing the other parent without justification, which can severely damage the parent-child relationship.

Our team is in particular specialised in parental alienation cases. In one of our most recent cases dealing with parental aienation it was found that the father and paternal grandmother were manipulating the child during the contact the child was having with his father. As a resultof our team’s afforts, the existing child arrangements were reviewed and the father lost the ability to have the child over for overnight visits and holidays, his contact being restricted to supervised contact and with mention that the grandmother could not have contact with the child at all.

How RVS Solicitors Can Help?

If you suspect parental alienation is affecting your child, we can help you gather evidence and navigate the legal complexities. Our team will advocate for a resolution that restores and protects your relationship with your child while addressing any underlying issues.

Severe Parental Misconduct: Responding to Neglect and Abuse

In cases of severe parental misconduct, such as sexual offences or neglect, courts may take the significant step of restricting or prohibiting contact altogether. These decisions are made to ensure the child’s safety, even if it means the complete cessation of contact.

In one of the matters our team has handled, the court denied contact with a father convicted of sexual offences due to the lack of any safe means to facilitate supervised contact with the child. In another case, the mother’s violent behaviour and constant threats of abduction has led to restricted contact to protect the children involved.

How RVS Solicitors Can Help?

If you are dealing with serious allegations or a high-conflict situation involving severe misconduct, our solicitors will provide robust legal representation. We work tirelessly to ensure the court recognises the risks and takes appropriate action to safeguard your child. We work with other professionals to ensure that we are able to navigate complex psycological aspects of such matters.

Why RVS Solicitors is Your Partner in Protecting Your Child’s Welfare

While the courts generally favour maintaining contact between children and both parents, there are clear circumstances where limiting or restricting contact is necessary to protect the child’s welfare. Whether the case involves domestic abuse, emotional harm, parental alienation, or severe misconduct, the court carefully assesses the unique facts of each situation.

At RVS Solicitors, we understand how emotionally charged and challenging these cases can be. Our experienced family law team is dedicated to working with you every step of the way. We combine legal expertise with empathy, ensuring your concerns are heard and your child’s welfare remains the top priority.

Take the Next Step Towards Resolution

If you are involved in a child arrangement dispute or facing potential restrictions on contact, don’t navigate this complex process alone. Let RVS Solicitors provide the expert advice and support you need to protect your family’s future.

Contact RVS Solicitors today to arrange a consultation. Together, we can ensure that your child’s welfare is safeguarded and that you are empowered to make the best decisions for your family.