What is a Prohibited Steps Order?

A prohibited steps order is made by the court and outlines what a person with parental responsibility for the child cannot do.  The court has the power to make a prohibited steps order to stop a decision, without the court’s permission.  Examples of prohibited steps could include:

• Changing the child’s school.
• Changing the child’s name.
• Relocating the child to another part of the country or abroad.
• Deciding the child’s religious instruction.
• Choosing a particular course of medical treatment.

The court’s willingness to make a prohibited steps order will depend on the circumstances presented and what the court considers to be in the child’s best interests.