Urgent Specific Issue Order secured for child’s school trip abroad

When parents share parental responsibility, disagreements can sometimes affect important opportunities in a child’s life. In this case, our Family Law team supported a mother during ongoing child arrangements proceedings when an urgent issue arose concerning her son’s ability to take part in a school trip abroad.

Acting quickly and working closely with our client, we successfully secured a Specific Issue Order that allowed the trip to go ahead, ensuring the child’s welfare and best interests remained the primary focus throughout.

Client’s story

Our client was the mother in ongoing child arrangements proceedings concerning her son. The child lived with her and, at the time, was not having any contact with his father. The father had issued an application for a Child Arrangements Order (Live With), seeking for the child to move into his care. Our client opposed this application, relying on the child’s clearly expressed wishes and feelings that he did not want to see his father, due to the way he had been treated previously.

During the course of these proceedings, an urgent and unexpected issue arose. The child had been offered the opportunity to attend a school trip abroad with his peers – an experience he was excited about and keen not to miss. As the father held parental responsibility and no court order was in place, consent from both parents was required for the child to travel. Our client readily agreed. The father, however, refused.

The father asserted that he did not know enough about the school trip and claimed that this lack of information was the reason for withholding his consent. Given the time-sensitive nature of the trip, an urgent application was made to the court seeking a determination of this issue alone. The father argued that, because he had already applied for a Child Arrangements Order, the issue of the school trip should be dealt with as part of the wider proceedings.

Our Family Law Solicitor, Flora Barrett, who had conduct of the matter, successfully argued that the question of the school trip was a discrete and urgent issue which required immediate determination. The court agreed and listed a hearing specifically to decide whether the child should be permitted to go abroad.

In preparation for the hearing, Flora worked closely with our client to gather clear and compelling evidence. This included information from the school demonstrating that the father had been contacted by email, invited to engage, and given opportunities to attend an information evening. Despite this, he had chosen not to seek clarification or become involved at that stage.

To ensure the court had a full picture, Flora collaborated with our client and the school to produce a detailed witness statement. This set out comprehensive information about the trip, including travel arrangements, supervision, accommodation, safety measures and educational value. The aim was to address any conceivable welfare concerns and to demonstrate that the child’s needs and safety were at the forefront.

During the hearing, it became apparent that the father’s objections were not rooted in genuine concerns about the child’s welfare. Instead, his dissatisfaction stemmed from feeling excluded by the school and from broader frustrations about the current arrangements for the child. Despite repeated reassurance, extensive information, and confirmation that his application regarding child arrangements would continue separately, he persisted in refusing consent.

The court ultimately granted our client’s application for a Specific Issue Order, allowing the child to attend the school trip abroad. In its judgment, the court noted that the father did not raise any real or genuine welfare concerns and recognised the importance of the child being able to participate fully in school life alongside his peers.

Testimonial

“Both Flora and her team were incredibly compassionate while keeping a professional stance on the situation. If I spoke to a different member of the team, they always seemed to be aware of the case history without me having to go over everything each time. Flora would be the first person I would recommend to anyone going through a situation like mine.” – Client feedback.

Flora Barrett, commented: “This was a case where swift action and detailed preparation made all the difference. We worked closely with our client to ensure the court had clear, child-focused evidence, and we were pleased to secure an outcome that prioritised the child’s welfare and allowed him to enjoy an important educational experience.”

Family law specialists

Disagreements about children can be stressful and emotionally draining, particularly when important decisions need to be made quickly. Our Family Law team supports parents and other family members through a wide range of issues involving children, providing clear advice and practical support at every stage.

We regularly advise on matters including child arrangements, Specific Issue Orders, parental responsibility, child abduction, and cases involving the removal or non-return of a child. Whether a situation can be resolved through negotiation and mediation or requires court proceedings, we will help you understand your options and work towards the outcome that is best for the child involved.

If you are facing a similar issue or would like advice about a matter involving a child, please get in touch with our Family Law team for a confidential, no-obligation conversation.