Professional Support When Serving a Prohibited Steps Order
Assist Process Serving helps arrange the service of Prohibited Steps Orders across England and Wales. We work with solicitors, legal professionals, support organisations and individuals who need family court documents served in accordance with the instructions and timescale set by the court. After service is completed, we provide a statement of service for the instructing party’s records and potential use in proceedings.
A Prohibited Steps Order is a type of order available under section 8 of the Children Act 1989.
Understanding Prohibited Steps Orders
A Prohibited Steps Order is a type of order available under section 8 of the Children Act 1989.
It prevents a person from taking a step specified in the order without the court’s consent. The step must be one that a parent could otherwise take in meeting their parental responsibility for the child.
The terms of each order depend on the facts of the case. For that reason, the sealed order and any directions should be reviewed closely before service is arranged.
Applications for a Prohibited Steps Order are commonly made using Form C100, which is also used for child arrangements and specific issue orders.
Assist Process Serving does not provide legal advice. If you need advice about whether to apply for an order, what the order means or arrangements for a child, please speak with your solicitor, the family court or an appropriate support organisation.
Arranging Service of Court Papers
A Prohibited Steps Order may be sought as part of ongoing family proceedings or as an urgent application. The court may make directions about who should be served, which documents must be provided and the deadline for doing so.
Before sending an instruction, check the court order and any hearing notice. The papers may include:
- 01.
A sealed Prohibited Steps Order, where one has been made
- 02.
The application form
- 03.
A hearing notice
- 04.
Supporting statements or other documents specified by the court
- 05.
Any case management order or service directions
Careful and Responsive Process Serving
Assist Process Serving coordinates document service through a nationwide network of more than 90 experienced process servers. Our Prohibited Steps Order service can include:
- 01
Service instructions across England and Wales
- 02
Standard, priority and same-day first-attempt options
- 03
A respectful approach to family law matters
- 04
Updates to the instructing party where appropriate
- 05
A statement of service following completed service
- 06
Electronic service where it is authorised and appropriate
What to Send When Instructing Us
The more complete the instruction, the more quickly we can assess the practical arrangements for service. Please provide:
- 01.
A sealed copy of the Prohibited Steps Order, if one has been made
- 02.
The application and any supporting documents that need to be served
- 03.
The hearing notice and any court directions
- 04.
The respondent’s full name, date of birth if known and a recent photograph where available
- 05.
The address for service and any alternative address details, where relevant
- 06.
The exact deadline for service
- 07.
Relevant information about access, known routines or safety considerations
- 08.
Your case reference and preferred contact details
Statement of Service and Relevant Documentation
Once the documents have been served, Assist Process Serving provides a statement of service.
This records the key details of how, when and on whom service was completed. It can be retained by the instructing party and used where evidence of service is required by the court.
HM Courts and Tribunals Service publishes Form C9 for providing details of the service of an application or notice in Children Act proceedings.
The appropriate evidence will depend on the documents served and any directions in the case.
Prohibited Steps Order Process Serving Costs
Standard Service
Professional process serving adhering to standard court and statutory schedules.
- Up to three attempts at personal service
- Electronic service where applicable
- Statement of service included
Priority Service
Accelerated instruction handling for time-sensitive filings and legal notices.
- First attempt within 24 hours
- Up to three attempts at personal service
- Electronic service where applicable
- Statement of service included
Same-Day Service
Immediate dispatch for critical court claims, emergency injunctions, and petitions.
- Same-day first attempt
- Up to three attempts at personal service
- Electronic service where applicable
- Statement of service included
The suitable service level will depend on the court deadline, the time your instruction is received, the address and the details of the case. For urgent instructions, please tell us the precise date and time by which service is required.
Serving Prohibited Steps Orders Nationwide
Assist Process Serving accepts instructions for serving a Prohibited Steps Order throughout England and Wales. Our nationwide network supports cases in London, Birmingham, Kent, Essex, Merseyside, South Wales, the West Midlands and selected LL postcode areas, alongside other locations nationwide.
Find out more about local process serving support:
- What documents should I provide?
Please send the sealed order, if available, the application, supporting documents that must be served, hearing notice, any court directions and the respondent’s service details. We also need the deadline and any relevant safety information.
- Do Prohibited Steps Orders need to be personally served?
The appropriate method depends on the court’s directions and the circumstances of the case. Please send us the sealed order and any directions so we can review the instruction and arrange the required service method.
- Who serves a Prohibited Steps Order?
The court’s directions will normally state who must serve the order or application, who should receive it and the method or deadline for service. If you have a solicitor, they can advise on the directions in your case.
- What is a Prohibited Steps Order?
A Prohibited Steps Order is an order under section 8 of the Children Act 1989. It prevents a specified step being taken in relation to a child without the court’s consent.
- Do you provide legal advice about Prohibited Steps Orders?
No. Assist Process Serving provides document service rather than legal advice. Please speak with a solicitor, the court or an appropriate support organisation for advice about the order or your circumstances.
- Can you help if I do not have a current address?
Trace enquiries may be available at an additional cost if the address is incomplete, no longer current or unknown. A trace may assist with further enquiries, but it cannot guarantee that someone will be located or served.
- Will I receive proof that service has taken place?
Yes. We issue a statement of service once service has been completed. Form C9 is the HMCTS form used to give details of service of an application or notice in Children Act matters.
Need Help Serving a Prohibited Steps Order?
If you need help serving a Prohibited Steps Order, send us the order or application, the respondent’s service address and the court deadline. We will assess the instruction and set out the practical next steps.
Please include:
- 01The sealed order and any documents that must be served
- 02The respondent’s name and address for service
- 03Alternative location information, where available
- 04The date and time by which service is needed
- 05Court directions and relevant access or safety information
