Grandparents often take an active role in their grandchildren’s upbringing, and it is often overlooked when the parents’ relationship breaks down and they lose or are denied seeing their grandchildren.
Do grandparents have a right to see their grandchildren?
Unfortunately, there is no automatic legal right to see your grandchildren. However, you can either reach an agreement with the parents, or if that fails, an application to the Court can be made for a Child Arrangements Order.
Applying to the Court
If you have been unable to reach an agreement to see your grandchildren, before you can make an application to the Court, you will need to attempt a form of Non-Court Dispute Resolution (NCDR). Often a referral is made to a local mediation service, to undertake an initial Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM), which will ascertain whether your matter is suitable for mediation. If mediation is not suitable or mediation breaks down without an agreement being reached, then an application can then be made to the Court.
As a grandparent you are not automatically entitled to apply for a Child Arrangements Order, so you will firstly need to apply to the Court for permission. However, there are some limited exceptions that may apply. For example, if your grandchild has been living with you for at least a year prior to the application being made.
When the Court considers whether to grant permission, the Court will consider a range of factors such as the nature of the proposed application, the applicant’s connection with the child and any risk of the proposed application disrupting the child’s life to the extent that they would be harmed by it.
If permission is granted (referred to as leave to apply), then the application for a Child Arrangements Order can proceed. A Child Arrangements Order can determine where a child lives and when they spend time with other people named in the order. The Court will consider all the circumstances of the case and in particular the factors set out in the “welfare checklist” which is set out at Section 1(3) of the Children Act 1989, and includes: –
- the ascertainable wishes and feelings of the child concerned (considered in the light of their age and understanding);
- the child’s physical, emotional and educational needs;
- the likely effect on the child of any change in their circumstances;
- the child’s age, sex, background and any characteristics is which the court considers relevant;
- any harm which they have suffered or are at risk of suffering;
- how capable each of their parents, and any other person in relation to whom the Court considers the question to be relevant, is of meeting their needs;
- the range of powers available to the Court under this Act in the proceedings in question.
Family law team
Julie Slater-Williams
Family Law | Head of Department | Partner
Experience
Julie qualified as a Solicitor in 2005. She has specialised in Family Law all through her career, throughout Staffordshire and Cheshire. In 2015, she joined Keelys LLP. Julie is a Partner and Head of Department.
Practice Area
Julie has practiced family law throughout her career, qualifying in 2005.
Julie has extensive experience of all areas of family law including divorce, dissolution of civil partnerships, private law children matters, special guardianship orders, pre nuptial and post nuptial agreements and financial matters on divorce / dissolution.
Julie has experience with high net worth cases including multi million pound assets, high value pensions and high value businesses. She regularly liaises with top tier counsel in cases involving unusual elements and arguments relating to conduct and intractable contact disputes and implacable hostility in children cases.
Julie is also a qualified collaborative solicitor. She is trained to assist clients in settlement focused manner where this is deemed appropriate. She has strong links with other collaborative solicitors. Julie’s ethos is to get to the heart of cases in as cost effective and stress reduced way as possible. Where this is not possible, Julie will advise and litigate to contested hearings to ensure that the matters that need to be dealt with are done so as swiftly and thoroughly as possible to ensure the needs of the client are met.
Qualifications
Solicitor
Interests
Julie is a keen reader, traveller and enjoys spending time with her children doing fun things.
Marie Bell
Family Law | Matrimonial Executive
Experience
Marie joined Keelys in December 2013. She has over 20 years experience of working within a family law department. Marie became a Graduate Member of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (now known as CILEX Member – Advanced Paralegal) on the 25th March 2025 and she obtained her certificate in family law in August 2011. Marie is currently working towards her fellowship, with a view to becoming a CILEX Fellow.
Practice Area
Marie specialises in divorce and the resolution of financial matters. Marie also undertakes work in relation to separation agreements where unmarried couples were engaged and children proceedings.
Qualification
MCILEX
Reporting to
Head of Family Law department: Julie Slater-Williams
Interests
Out of work Marie enjoys the outdoors by volunteering on a Local Nature Reserve, walking and cruising the inland waterways on a narrowboat. She also enjoys wildlife photography.
Julie Cox
Family Law | Family Lawyer
Experience
Julie has over 10 years’ experience representing clients in family law cases in addition to Court advocacy representation.
Practice Area
Julie specialises in all private family matters, including divorce, judicial separation, dissolution of Civil Partnerships, cohabitation agreements and disputes, financial negotiations and settlements, pre and post-nuptial agreements, child arrangements and Injunctions.
Julie is known to have a pragmatic but empathetic approach and has a number of outstanding recommendations and reviews from previous clients.
Highlights
- International child relocation
- Return of a child in a child abduction case
- Successful defenses to Injunctions
- Prevention of dissipation of international assets in financial remedy case
Qualifications
CILEX
Reporting to
Head of Family Law department: Julie Slater-Williams
Nashmeen Malik
Family Law | Assistant
Experience
Nashmeen became part of Keelys Family team in June 2023 as a Matrimonial Assistant. Nashmeen has many years’ of experience assisting in relation to Family matter, Wills, LPAs, and Probate Law. In April 2023, Nashmeen successfully concluded her Paralegal Training and UK Legal System training at QLS Level 5.
Reporting to
Head of Family Law department: Julie Slater-Williams
Interests
Outside of the legal realm, Nashmeen is passionate about holistic healing, personal development, and spirituality. Graduating as a holistic life coach and Mind Body Practitioner in 2021, she finds delight in delving into literature on spirituality, neuroscience, and positive psychology, while also cherishing moments spent with her loved ones.
