Prohibited Steps Order
What is a Prohibited Steps Order?
A Prohibited Steps Order and prevents a parent or anyone else from doing certain activities with their child by placing restrictions on their parental responsibility.
For example, a Prohibited Steps Order could prevent a parent from making decisions about:
- medical treatment
- taking their child out of school
- removing them from their home, local area or the UK; or
- changing the child’s surname
If you are separated or going through a separation and your former partner is threatening certain actions with your child – such as taking them out of school or their home – then you might consider making a Prohibited Steps Order to prevent them from doing so.
Usually you will need to show that you have attended or attempted mediation before you can apply. However, in some circumstances – such as where there is an imminent threat – an urgent order may be made.
Who can make a Prohibited Steps Order?
The Order is granted by a court, but these people can apply:
- parents
- step-parents
- guardians
- Special Guardians, or
- anyone named in a Child Arrangements Order whom the child will live with
Our Child Care team have considerable experience in advising people who want to make a Prohibited Steps Order and can advise you on the impact of such an order on your family.
Why use Rothera Bray?
We can help you if you:
- would like to make an application for a Prohibited Steps Order or you have received notice of an application for one
- would like to vary an existing order
- want to make a Prohibited Steps Order as a stand-alone application or in conjunction with a Child Arrangements Order
- want to access family mediation in an attempt to reach a resolution
We can represent you at court for contesting such orders.
We may be able to provide Legal Aid where eligible. Give us a free phone call or email to find out.
We can help you with:
- Children and relationship breakdown (child arrangements – ‘custody’ and ‘access’)
- Specific Issue Orders
Send us a message

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Ann-Marie Bowman
Partner
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Posted 9 April 2026
I had the pleasure of working with Lauren Kilbride at Rothera Bray, and I’m so grateful for her support. She was brilliant throughout—her advice was always clear, practical, and incredibly helpful. What really stood out was how approachable and reassuring she was. She was always quick to respond and took the time to make everything feel straightforward and manageable. I genuinely felt in safe hands and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her.
Lisa Reid
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Arran
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Posted 8 April 2026
I dealt with Ellie Robinson as my solicitor and she was fantastic, easy to talk to and helped me understand everything as a first time buyer.
Jake Ashton
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Posted 8 April 2026
Ellie Robinson helped us remortgage recently and was a pleasure to work with! She was very knowledgeable and communicative and I will be working with her again in future!
Eliot Morris
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Sarah Newman
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Posted 7 April 2026
Absolute total professionalism throughout. Very thorough and very helpful. Always there to answer questions promptly and held my hand through a very emotional time. The move was quick and easy thanks to Ellie Robinson and her team at Derby, I can’t thank her enough.
Ruth Haywood
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Posted 4 April 2026
I was recommended to Rothera Bray Solicitors and Sara Odedra has been incredible from start to end. Sara has kept us up to date at every stage, has been quick to get back to us via email or phone call and explained anything that we weren't sure of. I would recommend Sara and Julian Ryan again and again - they are an asset to the team and have made this process easy! Thank you!
Carina
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Bob C
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Posted 31 March 2026
I recently worked with Will in relation to a settlement agreement and found him to be professional, knowledgeable and very supportive throughout the process. He explained everything clearly, took the time to answer my questions, and ensured I fully understood my options at each stage. I particularly valued his balanced approach — setting out the legal position while also supporting my preference for a more amicable and practical resolution. His guidance helped me feel confident in my decisions and ultimately achieve a fair outcome. I would not hesitate to recommend Will to anyone seeking clear and professional legal advice.
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Had fantastic service from Will recently. He was very professional, friendly and efficient. Highly recommended.
Pete Lambert

Ann-Marie Bowman
Partner, Chairwoman & Head of Care
Ann-Marie Bowman is Partner and Chairwoman of East Midlands-based law firm Rothera Bray Solicitors. Working from our Nottingham and Derby offices, Ann-Marie remains highly committed to her fee-earning work in Family law, dealing with all aspects of children law.

David Berridge
Partner
David has over 30 years’ experience practicing Family Law. He is one of the most experienced family solicitors in Leicestershire and deals with a wide variety of matters.

Sarah Gill
Partner
Sarah is an experienced matrimonial and family law solicitor, dealing with children matters including child care, financial issues following separation of married couples and divorce. She undertakes court work in Leicestershire, Northamptonshire & Warwickshire. She is based at our Market Harborough office.

Charley Kelly
Associate Solicitor
Charley is an experienced Family Associate Solicitor who specialises in all areas of Family law. She acts for clients on a wide range of family issues including divorce, financial remedy and children matters. She is based at our Leicester office.

Emily Sherwood
Associate Solicitor
Emily Sherwood is an Associate Solicitor in Rothera Bray’s Family and Child Care department and is based at our Lace Market Nottingham and Derby offices.

Gurpreet Singh
Associate
Gurpreet Singh is an Associate in Rothera Bray’s Child Care department and is based at our Derby office.

Gabriella Kent
Solicitor
Gabriella Kent is a Solicitor in Rothera Bray’s Family and Child Care department and is based at our Nottingham Lace Market office.

Skyler Broadhead
Managing Paralegal
Skyler Broadhead is a Managing Paralegal in Rothera Bray Solicitors’ Child Care department and is based at our Lace Market and Derby offices.

Lucy Famakinwa
Paralegal
Lucy Famakinwa is a Paralegal in Rothera Bray’s Child Care team and is based at our Lace Market, Nottingham office.

Hannah Lilley
Paralegal
Hannah Lilley is a Paralegal in Rothera Bray’s Child Care team and is based at our Lace Market and Derby offices. Hannah specialises in care proceedings and private children law matters.

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