Adoption Lawyer

Building or extending your family through adoption is a life-changing decision. JMW’s specialist adoption solicitors provide clear, compassionate and effective legal advice to help you at every stage of the adoption process.

Our family law team works with individuals and couples across the UK and internationally, guiding prospective adopters through applications, assessments and adoption court orders. We help clients understand their rights and responsibilities as adoptive parents, as well as the legal implications for birth parents and the local authority involved.

Whether you’re adopting in England and Wales or pursuing an international adoption, our experienced adoption lawyers in the UK offer practical advice tailored to your circumstances. From liaising with an adoption agency or voluntary adoption agency to applying for an adoption order, we will make the process as straightforward as possible and cement the legal status of your family unit.

JMW provides expert adoption legal advice on every aspect of adoption law, including private adoption, step-parents adopting a partner’s children, and cases involving parental responsibility or care proceedings. Our aim is to give you confidence and reassurance as you take this rewarding step toward giving a child a permanent home.

To speak with a lawyer to help with adoption, contact our family solicitors on 0345 872 6666 or complete our online enquiry form to request a call-back.

How JMW Can Help

JMW has one of the country’s largest and most respected family law teams, providing practical, specialist support for anyone looking to adopt a child in the UK or overseas. We combine deep expertise in adoption law with an understanding of the emotional and practical challenges adoption can bring.

We advise on every stage of the adoption process – from your first meeting with a local authority or adoption agency, to obtaining your final adoption court order. Our team helps prospective adopters and adoptive parents understand their legal rights and responsibilities, and ensures every requirement is handled correctly, from the initial assessment process to final recognition of parental responsibility.

Our services cover the full range of adoption matters, including:

• Domestic adoption: working with local councils and voluntary adoption agencies to guide individuals, couples, and step-parents adopting a partner’s children.
• International adoption: advising families adopting from abroad, coordinating with foreign authorities, and addressing complex issues such as citizenship and automatic recognition of overseas adoption orders.
• Private adoption and parental orders: providing adoption legal advice in situations where the adoption involves birth parents, relatives, or a partner’s children, ensuring every case complies with UK adoption law.
• Linked family law support: working closely with our employment and private client teams on related matters, such as adoption leave, wills, and guardianship planning, to protect the child’s long-term security.

We also provide expert representation in cases involving care proceedings, placement orders, or complex family arrangements where birth families and local authorities are involved.

JMW has been recognised by the Legal 500, Chambers & Partners, and Spears 500 for our work in family law, and we are trusted by clients nationwide for our professionalism, discretion and results. With offices in Manchester, Liverpool and London, and clients across the UK and overseas, JMW delivers exceptional service wherever you are based.

Meet the Team

Our dedicated adoption solicitors form part of JMW’s nationally recognised family law team, with decades of experience in adoption law, child arrangements and complex family matters, to help you build your family with confidence and legal certainty.

What Is the Legal Process for Adopting a Child?

The adoption process in England and Wales follows a structured legal framework designed to safeguard children and support those who wish to adopt. It is carried out through registered adoption agencies, voluntary adoption agencies, or local authorities, all of which must follow the standards set by UK adoption law. Private adoption - ie, arrangements between individuals without the involvement of an adoption agency - is prohibited in England and Wales and can constitute a criminal offence.

• Initial enquiry: An initial information session will be arranged with an adoption agency or local council. Here, prospective adopters learn about the process, eligibility criteria, and what to expect from the assessment. If you decide to proceed, you’ll complete a registration of interest form, which starts the formal assessment process.
• Assessment: This is usually completed in two stages. The first focuses on background checks, references, and basic information, while the second involves more detailed training, interviews, and home visits. This stage allows social workers to assess how ready you are for adoption and what kind of child you may be best matched with.
• Adoption panel: The panel will make a recommendation to the agency’s decision-maker. If approval is granted, the matching process begins.
• Matching you with a child: The agency will be responsible for identifying a child whose needs align with your circumstances. After matching, the child is placed with you under a placement order, which gives permission for the child to live with you while the adoption progresses.
• Adoption order: When the child has lived with you for at least ten weeks, you can apply to the family court for an adoption order. The court reviews the case, considering the child’s welfare and the recommendations from the local authority and agency. Once the order is granted, the court permanently transfers parental responsibility from the birth parents and local authority to you, making you the child’s legal parent.

JMW’s adoption solicitors guide you through every stage of the legal process, from the initial enquiry to securing the final adoption order. We liaise with agencies and local councils on your behalf and make sure all paperwork, deadlines, and legal requirements are met. Our role is to give you the reassurance that everything is handled properly, so you can focus on welcoming your child into a secure and permanent home.

What Is the Process for International Adoption?

International adoption, also known as intercountry adoption, allows UK residents to adopt a child from abroad. The process is governed by both UK legislation and the laws of the child’s country of origin, meaning that requirements can differ depending on where you are adopting from. It can also involve additional procedural and immigration steps, particularly when adopting from countries that are not part of the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption.

Before beginning the process, you will need to contact a UK adoption agency or voluntary adoption agency that is approved to handle intercountry adoptions. The agency will assess your suitability in the same way as a domestic application, reviewing your:

• Background and family circumstances.
• Physical and emotional health.
• Financial stability and employment demands.
• Support network and capacity to provide a permanent home.

Once approved, your application is submitted to the relevant overseas authority, which conducts its own assessment and matching process to identify a child whose needs align with your family’s circumstances.

There are three broad categories of international adoption:

• Hague Convention countries: where adoption orders are automatically recognised between countries, making the process more straightforward.
• Designated List countries: where recognition is possible but requires additional documentation.
• Other countries: where further applications are needed in both countries to secure recognition and parental rights.

Before bringing a child to the UK, you must obtain permission from both the Home Office and the relevant foreign authorities. Moving a child without the appropriate legal consent can constitute a criminal offence, even if done with good intentions. Immigration and visa arrangements must also be in place to confirm the child’s legal right to reside in the UK.

The international adoption process often involves:

• Liaison between adoption agencies, local authorities, and foreign courts.
• Travel to the child’s country of origin for meetings and assessments.
• Legalisation and translation of official documents.
• Applications for adoption court orders or recognition orders in the UK.

JMW’s family lawyers are experienced in managing every aspect of international adoption. We provide tailored legal advice from the early planning stages through to obtaining recognition of a foreign adoption order, helping families understand their rights and responsibilities. Our team also works closely with immigration specialists to ensure the process complies with both UK and overseas law, giving you the confidence that your child’s legal status and British citizenship are fully protected.

Q

What is the adoption panel?

A

The adoption panel is an independent group that reviews your assessment and makes a recommendation about your suitability to adopt. It usually includes professionals such as social workers, medical advisors, and individuals with personal experience of adoption.

Before attending the panel, you’ll receive a copy of your assessment report so you can check its contents. During the meeting, panel members may ask questions about your background, lifestyle, and motivations for adoption. The purpose is not to judge but to confirm that adoption is right for you and that you are prepared for the challenges ahead.

Once the panel has made its recommendation, a senior decision-maker at the adoption agency or local authority makes the final decision. If you are approved, your details will be added to a list of prospective adopters, and the matching process with a suitable child can begin.

JMW’s family law team provides adoption legal advice before and after the panel stage, helping you prepare for questions, understand the panel’s role, and take any necessary next steps following their recommendation.

Q

How does infertility affect the adoption process?

A

Many people turn to adoption following difficulties conceiving a biological child. Adoption agencies understand that this can be an emotional journey, and part of the assessment process involves exploring how you have come to terms with infertility.

Agencies may recommend that prospective adopters wait a short period before starting the process, giving time to adjust emotionally and focus on adoption as a positive choice rather than a last resort. This period allows you to begin the process ready to meet an adopted child’s needs with confidence and commitment.

JMW’s adoption lawyers can advise you at this stage, helping you understand what to expect and how to discuss your experiences with your adoption agency or local council.

Q

How does disability affect the adoption process?

A

Disability or ill-health does not automatically prevent you from adopting a child. Each application is assessed individually, with agencies focusing on your ability to care for a child and provide a stable, loving environment.

The assessment process includes a medical report, but the presence of a disability or long-term condition will not in itself be a barrier. Agencies look at the level of support available to you and how you manage your condition day to day.

If you are concerned about how your personal circumstances may affect your application, JMW’s family law specialists can advise you before you begin, helping you anticipate any challenges and prepare for questions during the process.

Q

Can I adopt a child if I have a criminal conviction?

A

Certain serious criminal convictions - particularly those involving violence or offences against children - automatically prevent a person from adopting. For other types of convictions, applications are considered individually, taking into account the time passed, the circumstances of the offence, and evidence of rehabilitation.

The adoption agency or local authority will conduct a police check as part of the assessment process. It’s important to be open about any convictions from the outset, as withholding information can lead to delays or complications.

Q

Is private adoption legal?

A

Private adoption, where arrangements are made directly between birth parents and adoptive parents without involving an authorised adoption agency or local authority, is prohibited in England and Wales. Such arrangements can amount to a criminal offence.

However, there are limited exceptions that allow adoption by a child’s relative or step-parent. These include:

• Grandparents.
• Aunts or uncles (by blood, marriage, or civil partnership).
• Brothers or sisters, including half-siblings.
• Step-parents adopting their partner’s children.

Even in these situations, the process must be approved by the family court, and an adoption order must be made before legal parenthood is transferred. JMW's family law team provides guidance in these cases, ensuring that all legal requirements are met and that your family’s arrangements are properly recognised.

Q

How should I appoint testamentary guardians for an adopted child?

A

When adopting a child, it’s important to review your will and appoint testamentary guardians to provide security for your family’s future. Testamentary guardians are individuals who would care for your child if you were to pass away before they reach adulthood.

Our family law team works closely with JMW’s private client solicitors to help you make these arrangements as part of the wider adoption process. We can prepare or update your will, ensuring it reflects your new legal relationship as your child’s legal parent and that their long-term welfare is protected.

Q

Am I entitled to adoption leave?

A

Adoptive parents are entitled to the same statutory leave and pay rights as biological parents. Adoption leave allows one parent to take paid time off work to bond with and care for the child, while the other may be eligible for shared parental leave.

Eligibility and pay depend on your employment status and how long you’ve worked for your employer. Most employers require proof of the adoption placement and notice of when you intend to start your leave.

Our employment law team works alongside our family solicitors to advise on adoption leave, shared parental leave, and flexible working. We can also review employment contracts to confirm your rights and help you discuss arrangements confidently with your employer.