Our Departments

At McDonald Kerrigan we have a vast amount of experience in dealing with all aspects of family law proceedings.  We do not dilute the quality of our work by trying to cover all areas of the law.  We can happily refer you to an associate firm should you need advice in other areas of the law. 
 
You can be confident that by choosing us as your legal representatives we will guide and support you every step of the way.
 

Care Department

The Care Department deals with all issues relating to disputes with the Local Authority (Social Services) which is known as public family law.  In particular we deal with:-

• Care Proceedings (Social Services)

• Applications for contact with children who are subject to care orders

• Adoption proceedings

• Applications for placement for adoption orders

• Secure accommodation applications

• Applications for child assessment orders

• Emergency protection orders

• Special Guardianship applications

We have a very high success rate in preventing removal of children from their parents and also reuniting children with their families when they have been placed in the care of the Local Authority. We have dealt with a large amount of cases involving non accidental injuries to children, neglect, abuse, sexual abuse, problems relating to drugs and alcohol, mental health problems and personality disorders. Our team has years of experience and is always sympathetic and supportive. We also offer advice to extended family members and friends who wish to be assessed to look after children in care or become Special Guardians.

Children Department

When parents separate courts will always encourage families to communicate to try and agree on arrangements for children.  However this is not always possible and sometimes the court is called on to make decisions based on what it feels is the best interest of the child(ren).  This is where we step in. We can advise, assist and represent you in all aspects of private law family disputes such as:-

• Child arrangement orders (formerly known as residence and contact orders)

• Prohibited steps and specific issue applications

• Applications to remove children from the country (jurisdiction)  

• Child abduction proceedings

• Special Guardianship applications

• Grandparents applications for contact

Regularly local courts are appointing Solicitors to act as Guardians for children in complex residence and contact disputes pursuant to Rule 16.4 of the Family Procedure Rules 2010.  We are very proud of the fact that Judges and CAFCASS Officers regularly appoint Joe Kerrigan and Matt Cannan in this role.