Child maintenance issues and the role of the CSA (Child Support Agency) have rarely been out of the media spotlight in the last two decades. But if you are facing an issue which is affecting how your children are supported, don’t be put off.
Whatever child maintenance issue you face, whether you are a ‘parent with care’ or a ‘non-resident parent’, it is vital that you access the right expertise to ensure you achieve a successful outcome.
Forshaws Davies Ridgway (FDR) is nationally recognised for its expertise in the field of claims relating to child support.
Experienced, expert CSA team
Our team is headed by Stephen Lawson who is a member of the Resolution National Committee for child support affairs. He has also submitted evidence to the House of Commons Department for Work and Pensions Select Committee investigation into Child Support Reform as well as being involved in many of the leading cases against the CSA. Stephen also contributed to ‘Safe Routes to Child Support – A Resolution Guide’ (James Pirrie with Benjamin Carter and Stephen Lawson).
We can help you with:
- Assessments
- Appeals at Tribunals or Upper Tribunals
- Claims for compensation from the CSA
- Court hearings
- Arrears claims
We represent ‘parents with care’ and ‘non-resident parents’ alike, challenging the CSA throughout the UK and have represented clients at the High Court, the Court of Appeal and European Court of Human Rights.
Our commitment to helping clients where we believe they face an injustice is such that it often attracts widespread media attention. Our cases have been reported in the Times, Daily Mirror, Daily Mail, Observer and numerous other journals and clients have appeared on the BBC, ITV, Sky and national and local radio.
Helping parents with care
Forshaws Davies Ridgway Solicitors have recovered many child support ‘special payments’ on behalf of parents with care where performance has been inadequate or unacceptable. Here are some examples of how we help our clients:
Lisa, Runcorn
After 12 years battling with the CSA over their failure to force her former partner to pay the required child maintenance for their son, Lisa approached FDR in 2006. We were astonished by the catalogue of errors made by the CSA and decided to seek a Judicial Review on Lisa’s behalf. This spurred the CSA into action and a thorough investigation was initiated into Lisa’s case. After a 17 year battle, Lisa was delighted with the award of all back payments, plus interest, compensation, a full apology from the CSA and legal costs.
William, Helsby
William made an application for maintenance to the CSA. The CSA had lost his application and failed to send out assessment forms to his former wife for approximately 12 months. We successfully made a claim to the CSA who themselves paid the arrears of maintenance by way of a ‘special payment’.
Kathleen, Runcorn
In Kathleen’s case, the CSA prepared an assessment but allowed substantial arrears of maintenance to accrue which it did not attempt to recover. The non-resident parent died and the CSA claimed to have no powers to cover the arrears from his estate. We threatened to sue the CSA and the CSA paid the arrears and costs.
Jo, Cheshire
We secured an advance payment of maintenance for Jo in the sum of £27,000 – after the Parliamentary Ombudsman had concluded that a payment of £600 was reasonable.
Martin, Chester
Martin had care of his children. The CSA allowed over £50,000 of arrears of maintenance to arise. They made an agreement with the non-resident parent to accept repayment at the rate of £5 a week. We successfully instituted Judicial Review proceedings against the CSA who reconsidered the decision and the arrears were recovered in one lump sum.
Our client, J.S. says “Without the intervention from Forshaws Davies Ridgway for my case against the CSA I doubt I would have received any money at all. I am extremely grateful for your dedication and hard work and finally after waiting 5 years I am now receiving regular payments. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You”.
Helping non-resident parents
We have obtained orders against the CSA on behalf of non-resident parents where their performance has been inadequate or unacceptable. Our cases have included:
- Peter found out he had a liability order against him even though Peter said that he didn’t know about the hearing. We had the order set aside and forced the CSA to pay Peter’s legal costs.
- Martin forgot to attend Court for a Liability Order hearing. He was ordered to pay £11,000 arrears. We had the Order set aside in its entirety and the CSA were ordered to pay his legal costs.
- The CSA said James was the father of Child A, which he disputed. The CSA informed James that they would take payments out of his wages. We stopped the CSA enforcement action and embarked upon paternity resolution procedures.
- Derek of Chester called when bailiffs turned up at his property to seize his goods for alleged non-payment of CSA maintenance. We had the Court order set aside and the CSA had to pay Derek’s legal costs.
To find out more about how we can help you with child maintenance issues, please either call 01928 739300, email us, or use our contact form.
