Resources

“Best Interests of the Child” assessment in cases concerning temporary relocation

14-year-old girl successfully challenges Relevant Person Status of grandparents

CF v MF, GF and Locality Reporter [2017] CSIH 44 Read more

A Scottish local authority Council breached its duty to provide an adequate plan to support an autistic child’s return education

Appeals against a sheriff’s decision on appeal from a children's hearing decision should be an exceptional event

A-Z resource library

Comprehensive library of material relating to children and young people's rights. This is reference point for all legal questions and problems children and young people might have. Read more

Best interests of children a relevant consideration in discretionary extension of judicial review time bar

Child law case summaries

Summaries of cases undertaken by Clan Childlaw. Read more

Child Law Network

A network established by Clan Childlaw to provide news and updates on child law developments in Scotland Read more

Contact – risk of ostracism from ultra-orthodox religious community - Appeal allowed

Re M (Children) [2017] EWCA Civ 2164 (on appeal from J v B [2017] EWFC 4) (Ultra-Orthodox Judaism: Transgender) Read more

Court of Session judgment concerning discretionary leave to remain and the distinctive position of Scottish students regarding tuition fees

Damages awarded for historical sexual abuse

Evidential burden on pursers in relocation cases

Evidential evaluation of hearsay statements of sexual abuse/inappropriate sexual contact from a child in civil proceedings

Launch of Stand Up For Siblings

Clan Childlaw is a partner in the multi-agency partnership ‘Stand Up For Siblings’ being launched in March 2018. Read more

Leaflets on law affecting children & young people

Downloadable leaflets with valuable information pertaining to children and young people. Read more

Petitioner asserting de facto parental relationship with nephews successfully challenges refusal of leave to appeal

Proof concerning contact arrangements and the appropriateness of an order requiring parental cooperation

Proof on whether the children's mother had subjected them to unnecessary medical treatment

Regarding the effect an acquittal in the criminal courts has on established grounds in the Children’s Hearings system

Regarding the exercise of case management by a sheriff at Child Welfare Hearings

Reliance of facts established at a grounds referral proof when considering a permanence order

Ruling on the sheriff's failure to make an order for breach of contact order and contempt of court.

TJ v SB [2018] SAC (Civ) 15 Read more

Sheriff Appeal Court notes case highlights clash between procedure and need for flexibility when dealing with the interests of a child

Current Vacancies

We are recruiting two new board members! Deadline to apply 30 April 2021.
Clan Childlaw Covid-19 Response Project

Protecting the rights of care experienced children and young people during the pandemic
Housing Law Advice - Professional Qualification

Starting 27 April. This is an SQA accredited Level 7 Professional Development Group Award (PDA) in Housing Law Advice.
Brexit and Housing Workshop

22 April, 2 - 3.30pm This lawyer-led online workshop will focus on the impact of Brexit on the ability of EEA nationals to access homeless services.

What we do

We are lawyers for children and young people in Scotland. We use our legal knowledge, and what we learn from the children we work with, to find ways to make the law work better for children and young people.
Law student essay competition

To mark our 10-year anniversary, we asked law students around Scotland: What is the biggest children’s rights issue in Scotland and how can the law be used to resolve it? Congratulations to winner Michael Malvenda!
Child law case summaries

Summaries of cases undertaken by Clan Childlaw.
Training

We provide lawyer-led training about children's rights and the law in Scotland. We use our legal expertise and experience to train lawyers, advocates, and frontline workers who support children and young people.
Alison Reid

Principal Solicitor and Chief Executive
Sibling rights

We have long called for the law to be changed to prioritise care experienced children and young people's sibling relationships and are delighted that these changes are now law and will come into force in July 2021
Get legal help for a child or young person

Information for professionals, support, advocacy, and advice workers or foster carers seeking help with the law or a legal problem for a child or young person they are working with. You will find frequently asked questions, case studies and other information on this page.
Clan at 10

Events & Fundraising marking our 10th anniversary
A-Z resource library

Comprehensive library of material relating to children and young people's rights. This is reference point for all legal questions and problems children and young people might have.
Changes to the law on siblings

Brothers and sisters who are looked after by a local authority or are experiencing family separation often need support to stay in contact. Clan Childlaw is working in different ways to help promote sibling contact.