About Lucy:
Lucy has over 15 years' experience in family law, and specialises in obtaining financial settlements alongside divorce, pre-marital agreements and resolving disputes concerning arrangements for children.
Get compassionate legal advice from our child access solicitors to support your relationship with, and spend time with, your grandchildren.
Grandparents can play a vital role in a child's life. Our child law solicitors are here to offer compassionate legal support to grandparents, helping to safeguard and preserve cherished family connections.
Grandparents may find themselves separated from their grandchildren due to family disputes, divorce, the death of an adult child or other circumstances. It can be a time of worry and stress.
Although a grandparent has no automatic 'legal right' to see their grandchildren, we will support you to negotiate a way forward and if necessary, help you to seek a solution through the court.
We will provide you with straightforward advice on your options and prospects of success.
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How can we help?
Before a court application can be made, the court will expect you to consider family mediation or other forms of non-court dispute resolution. We will discuss the options with you and support you through whichever process you choose.
You may be able to ask the court to assist in making arrangements for you to spend time with your grandchildren by applying for a Child Arrangements Order. Usually, you will need the permission of the court, which is also called 'leave of the court', to bring an application. If successful, the court will then consider the main application and make a decision based on the best interests of your grandchildren.
Testimonials
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The team provides an exceptional service of early, clear and realistic advice, very high attention to detail, considered and careful analysis of all realistic angles, and options to ensure that every step is taken at the appropriate time to ensure that the client's interests are best promoted and secured.
Legal 500 2026 -
The team offers a professional service. All of the members of the team I have dealt with have been knowledgeable and committed to getting the best result for the client.
Legal 500 2026 -
The care taken by the team is remarkable and reassuring for clients.
Legal 500 2026 -
An efficient team performing at a high level.
Legal 500 2026 -
A wonderful team who offer pragmatic advice whilst robustly defending the interests of their clients.
Legal 500 2026 -
Weightmans family law department is very dynamic. Being part of a larger firm means that they are able to draw on the expertise of other departments in the firm, which can be extremely helpful.
Legal 500 2025 -
Highly specialised family law team with a breadth of experience.
Legal 500 2025 -
The team at Weightmans is well known and respected in the family law market... They approach complex family law matters in a straightforward manner that is focused on resolution for their clients.
Legal 500 2025 -
The team is made up of extremely capable individuals dealing with complex and high-net-worth work. They are all technically very sound and work in a collaborative way with other lawyers.
Legal 500 2025 -
Weightmans have expanded hugely their family law capacity which is testament to their aspirations within this space... Experience, reputation and depth all add to the overall approach.
Legal 500 2025 -
The family team are totally focused on assisting clients to identify their immediate needs as well as helping them to gain clarity around the future. They take a family focused view and work on the assumption that court action should be avoided if at all possible by working collaboratively with other solicitors.
Legal 500 2025 -
The team provided fantastic communication and sound advice throughout the process. All possible outcomes and costs were set out at the beginning - they couldn’t have been more helpful.
Chambers 2025 -
The team showed total professional attention to detail and gave me inspiration to continue even when things seemed unsurmountable.
Chambers 2025 -
They couldn’t be more efficient and nothing is ever too much trouble for them.
Chambers 2025 -
Clients get what they pay for at Weightmans in that the preparation is meticulous. They are so good at looking after the client and making sure that everything is where it needs to be.
Chambers 2025 -
The lawyers are very experienced with knowledge encompassing a broad range of family law issues. They are adept at dealing with cross-border disputes and I would rate them as very strong in this area.
Chambers 2025 -
Weightmans is very up to speed in the latest legal trends and has good connections with the legal profession.
Chambers 2025 -
Weightmans has technically competent lawyers with a focus on solutions and the team is very pleasant to deal with, which benefits their clients.
Chambers 2025 -
Weightmans is efficient, experienced and professional. The team has an excellent range of experiences and ability, and they provide immediate responses.
Chambers 2025
Our family law services
Do grandparents have rights?
Although a grandparent does not have an automatic legal right, a grandparent can play a significant role in their grandchild’s life. The court applies a two-stage test in most situations – firstly to provide ‘permission’ for an application to be made and secondly, to determine that application on its merits.
What will the court consider when deciding whether to grant leave for a grandparent to make an application?
This will depend on a number of factors including the nature of the application, the grandparent’s connection to the child and, and whether there is a risk to the child that granting the application would disrupt his or her life to the extent that he or she would be harmed by it.
If permission is granted for a grandparent to make an application, what will the court consider before making any order?
The judge will apply the Children Act 1989 welfare checklist to make their decision and they will take into account matters such as the age of the child, their wishes and feelings and any harm the child may be at risk of suffering. The paramount consideration will always be the child's welfare.
My own child doesn’t have access to my grandchildren – what can I do?
If the parent of your grandchildren does not have contact or access with their child, it may be difficult as a grandparent to establish a claim. However it is not impossible and your situation will be assessed separately to the circumstances regarding your child. Legal advice to consider the merits of your situation and options for resolution is vital.
My grandchildren live with me — do I need the court's permission to apply for an order?
In England and Wales, there are certain circumstances where a grandparent does not need the court's permission ('leave') to apply for a child arrangements order. These include where the grandparent already has a 'lives with' or 'residence order' in respect of the child, or for example, the child has been living with the grandparent for more than three years.
Frequently asked questions
About Caroline:
Caroline has more than 30 years' experience in family law, with renowned expertise in international child relocation and cohabitation claims, as well as complex financial provision cases.
