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Our Services

Child Care Law

At Hains & Lewis our specialist children law department is able to provide advice and advocacy in all cases involving children.

If a social services department becomes involved with a child, then expert legal advice and representation is essential for parents and also for family members who may already be caring for the child or wish to care for the child. It is important that you are represented by solicitors who understand the complexities of social services departments and courts.

We advise and represent parents and other family members in applications brought by the social services department for care supervision orders and can provide advice even before proceedings are brought. We firmly believe that it is important for family members to have, if at all possible, someone with them at meetings with Social Services especially at Child Protection conferences and pre-proceedings meetings.

On the breakdown of a relationship where you have children they will no doubt be your primary concern. Unfortunately, not all parents can agree the arrangements of their children upon separation and it may be necessary for solicitors to be involved. At Hains & Lewis we will make you aware of all the options available to you and, if it becomes necessary to proceed to Court, we will do all we can to make the process as painless as possible to achieve the result which is best your family.

We understand that these will be an emotionally difficult time for everyone involved and we are sensitive to the needs of parents, carers and other relatives of the children involved in court proceedings. Our expert team can help you understand your rights and responsibilities and ensure that you are properly represented.

Our Law Society Children Panel accredited lawyers also represent children and Children's Guardians in care cases when appointed by the court to do so. Children’s Guardians may also appoint our Solicitors to provide representation in cases where there is a dispute between parents about where the children should live and where the court has directed that the children should be separately represented from their parents. We also provide advice and representation to those seeking to adopt children.

Our Child Care Team comprises of two senior solicitors. Sharon Knox is a director and head of department. Sharon is also a Law Society Children panel member. Vicki Hains is our Consultant.

The majority of our work is funded by legal aid. We offer competitive rates for those not eligible for legal aid.

The welfare of the child is always the most important consideration in proceedings relating to children and our specialist child law team will provide high quality advice and representation in the very complex and emotional issues involved in such proceedings. 

Talk to our child care law solicitors in Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire

To arrange an initial consultation with our friendly, expert child care law solicitors in South West Wales, please contact your local Hains & Lewis office in Carmarthen, Haverfordwest or Narberth.

In a hurry? Use our quick online enquiry form and we will get back to you swiftly.