Good Practice in Child Care Cases A Guide for Solicitors Acting in Public Law Children Act Proceedings, 3rd Edition

This book is a concise guide to best practice for solicitors acting in public law Children Act cases, whether they are acting for a local authority, a parent, or a child.

The Law Society has collaborated with other organisations, interest groups, and leading children lawyers to develop a set of best practice guidelines designed to ensure the child's interests are paramount throughout the conduct of a case and to raise standards of conduct by solicitors. It provides guidance on the conduct of cases and the particular approach required for less experienced practitioners who are not yet members of the Law Society's Children Panel. It will also provide a useful aide memoire for more experienced practitioners.

Since the last edition major changes include:

• Adoption and orders for contact or no contact
• Introduction and adoption of the Public Law Outline
• Aspects of the family justice system
• Private family law arrangements for children and parental involvement
• Time limits for care and supervision proceedings
• The introduction of compulsory mediation information assessment meetings (MIAMs)
• Fostering to adopt
• Scrutiny of care plans.