Free specialist legal advice and information on child, family and education law for parents, carers and young people in England from Coram Children’s Legal Centre
Family law
Legal information on family and children law matters in England. The information ranges from private law matters such as contact, domestic abuse and adoption to public law matters including local authority involvement with children and child protection.
Education law
Legal information on education law in England. The information ranges from the law on bullying, transport and home education to school admissions, exclusions and the duties of schools and local authorities to children with Special Educational Needs.
Attending court
For individuals who have made their applications in private family law cases. Features information on the court process and different types of hearings, explains the rules of evidence and the role of CAFCASS. There is also practical advice on representing yourself in court.
Access to How-to guides
Following the launch of our new site, if you have any issues accessing your single purchase guides or your annual subscription please contact the team at clas@coramclc.org.uk who will be able to assist you.
Divorce
The introduction of a 'no-fault' divorce law has come into effect in England and Wales on the 6th April 2022. Our information page highlights all of the key changes. Click here to view our information page on 'divorce'.
Child Law Advice
We are a digital-first service providing family and education law advice to parents, carers and young people in England.
We have lots of free to access content on our website. This is clear and easy to understand, giving you practical advice on the available next steps you can take.
If you need more in-depth knowledge on a particular topic, you can download one of our low-cost How-to guides.
If you need extra help after reading the advice on our website, we also have an email or telephone service.
The demand for our telephone service is very high and we are only able to answer a limited number of calls, so we recommend looking carefully for the answer on our website before you get in touch.
The Child Law Advice Service is operated by Coram Children’s Legal Centre, the UK’s leading children’s legal charity.
LawStuff is our dedicated website designed specifically for children and young people who want to find out information about their rights. The website hosts our popular resource at what age can I? as well as providing legal information on a wide range of issues including home and family, education and immigration.
What we can provide
Up to 30 minutes of free legal advice via email and phone (8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday) on child, family and education law
Free to view information pages
Detailed How-to guides (fee applicable)
A callback at a time that suits you (fee applicable)
The services of an interpreter if you find it difficult to speak English
Volunteering opportunities if you have a legal background
Insight to influence policy development
What we cannot provide
Our opinion or provide a second opinion
Advice if you have instructed a solicitor or barrister
Advice if the child you are calling about lives outside of England
Legal representation or face-to-face advice
Advice on areas outside of child, family and education law, including child maintenance and benefits
Advice on the merits of an appeal
Advice to professionals in relation to what you should be doing in your professional capacity
Advice to students/professionals conducting research
Latest news
Cafcass launches new telephone line for children involved in court proceedings
The government is to increase the funding rate for universal infant free school meals by just 7p a pupil, it was announced on Tuesday, a move immediately branded “inadequate” by the sector.
Infant free school meals funding rises by just 7p a meal in England
The government is to increase the funding rate for universal infant free school meals by just 7p a pupil, it was announced on Tuesday, a move immediately branded “inadequate” by the sector.
Government announces further £5.4 million funding of family mediation voucher scheme
The government has provided a further £5.4 million in funding to help families to resolve disputes such as contact arrangements for children out of court.
Child Law Advice is a free specialist legal advice and information service
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© 2022 Child Law Advice Service
The Child Law Advice service is provided by Coram Children’s Legal Centre, the UK’s leading legal children’s charity which is part of the Coram Group. We are a registered charity, no. 281222.
