Adoption Law

Adoption Law is complex and has significant legal implications therefore choosing the right representation is essential. At Griffiths Robertson we are highly experienced in all matters arising from adoption and will ensure that you are fully aware of all procedures and have a full undestanding of the legal issues that you will  encounter.

There are several different types of adoption

• Domestic Adoption - an adoption of a child within England and Wales where the child is either a family member or in the care of the local authority.
• International Adoption - an adoption where the child is being brought from a country outside England and Wales and whose adopters are resident in England and Wales.
• Step-parent Adoption.
• Foster Parent Adoption.
• Local Authority Adoption - when it is your child who is potentially being placed for adoption by a local authority.

We will guide you through each steop in the process through to the issuance of the adoption order

Court criteria

• the child was under the age of 18 when the adoption application was made
• the child is not – or has never been – married or in a civil partnership
• both birth parents have given their consent to the adoption*

*In some cases, it is not necessary to get consent from the birth parent or guardian. This happens when:

• the birth parent or guardian cannot be found or is incapable of giving consent
• the child’s welfare would be at risk if the adoption order was delayed

Eligibility to adopt?

• single people (irrespective of their sexual orientation)
• a partner of a parent of the child to be adopted
• married couples
• civil partners
• unmarried couples (same sex and different sex) living as partners in a stable family relationship

Your application will be considered on the basis of whether you can meet the adopted child’s needs. It does not matter whether you own your own home or are in or out of work. For more information please call us on 0118 958 5049.