Introduction

If you are under 16, you usually need the agreement of your parent or carer for major decisions, such as changing your name or moving to a new school.

What if I don’t agree with my parents?

The decisions that your parents make about you should always be made in your best interests. If you’re mature enough to understand, your wishes and feelings should be taken into account when they make decisions.

If you disagree with your parents about a major decision affecting you, you can go to court to ask permission to do something – or to stop your parents from doing something. The court will then decide based on what’s in your best interests.

What sort of things could I apply to court for permission for?

• You want to change your name but one or both of your parents do not agree
• You want to go out of the UK but one or both of your parents do not agree.

In these cases, the relevant order to apply for would be a specific issue order.

What sort of things can I apply to court to stop happening?

• Your parent wants to move to another part of the UK and you do not want to
• Your parent wants to take you out of the UK and you do not want to go
• Your parent wants to change your school and you do not want to
• Your parent wants you to follow a religion and you do not want to
• Your parent wants to change your name and you do not want to.

In these cases, the relevant order to apply for would be a prohibited steps order.

Get help

It’s rare to have to go to court for these matters, but it is possible. If you think you might need to go to court, you should seek legal advice from a solicitor, and you may be able to get legal aid.

You can contact us using our contact form for more information and advice.