Child Law

Specific Issue & Prohibited Steps Orders

Sometimes a single decision about a child cannot be agreed, where they go to school, a medical treatment, a move abroad, or whether one parent can take them out of the country. These orders ask the court to settle that one question, or to stop something happening. We act quickly where it matters.

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One decision, settled by the court

A Specific Issue Order asks the court to decide a single question about a child's upbringing, such as which school they attend, a medical or religious matter, or whether one parent can relocate with them. A Prohibited Steps Order does the opposite, it stops a parent from doing something, such as taking a child abroad or moving them without consent.

These orders can be made urgently, and in a genuine emergency the court can act the same day, sometimes without telling the other parent first. We assess your case honestly, tell you the realistic prospects, and move fast where a child is at risk. Choose the service closest to your situation below, or speak to us and we will point you to the right one.

Specific issue and prohibited steps services

Select the order that matches your situation.

Specific Issue OrderFor a single decision the court is asked to settle, such as schooling, medical care, or religion.Learn more Prohibited Steps OrderTo stop a parent from doing something, such as relocating a child or removing them from the UK.Learn more Parental Responsibility OrderFor a parent seeking the legal right to be involved in important decisions about their child.Learn more

Compare your options at a glance

A short summary of each service above. Our fees are agreed in writing before any work begins. Home Office, court and other third-party fees are extra and listed on our price list.

ServiceKey pointFee

Specific Issue OrderWho it is forParents who cannot agree on one important decision about their child's upbringing.£1500 – £10000 + VAT

Prohibited Steps OrderWho it is forParents who need to stop the other parent doing something that could harm or unsettle their child.£1500 – £10000 + VAT

Parental Responsibility OrderWho it is forUnmarried fathers, step-parents and second parents seeking parental responsibility, and parents who need to oppose or remove it.£1500 – £5000 + VAT

Key facts

The main rules that apply to specific issue & prohibited steps orders, with the law or official source for each.

Specific issue and prohibited steps orders are both "section 8" orders, decided with the child's welfare as the paramount consideration.
Children Act 1989, ss 1 and 8
A child's mother has parental responsibility automatically. A father has it if he was married to the mother at the birth, or is named on a birth certificate registered from 1 December 2003.
Children Act 1989, s 4
Taking a child out of the UK without the consent of everyone with parental responsibility, or a court order, can be a criminal offence. A parent named in a "lives with" order may take the child abroad for up to one month.
Child Abduction Act 1984; Children Act 1989, s 13
The court fee for a specific issue or prohibited steps application is £270.
GOV.UK, court fees

Correct as at October 2026. Rules and fees can change at short notice, so we confirm what applies to you before any application is made. This is general information, not legal advice on your case.

Common questions

A specific issue order is a court order under section 8 of the Children Act 1989 that settles one specific question about a child's upbringing when the parents cannot agree. It might decide schooling, medical treatment, travel abroad or religion. The court answers that single question by what is best for your child. Read more about specific issue order →

A prohibited steps order is a court order under section 8 of the Children Act 1989 that stops a parent taking a specified step without the court's permission. It is often used to prevent a child being removed from the country, moved away, or having their school or surname changed. It holds a situation still to protect the child. Read more about prohibited steps order →

Parental responsibility is defined in section 3 of the Children Act 1989 as all the rights, duties, powers and responsibilities a parent has in law for their child. It gives you a say in major decisions, such as schooling, medical treatment and religion. A mother and a married father have it automatically. Read more about parental responsibility order →

Not sure which order you need?

Whether you need the court to decide something, to stop something happening, or to recognise your role as a parent, we can tell you quickly which order fits. Tell us your situation and we will explain your options clearly, with no obligation.