A prohibited steps order is a family court order that prevents a parent, or another person named in the order, from taking a particular step in relation to a child without the court’s permission. The legal definition appears in section 8 of the Children Act 1989, and GOV.UK explains it in simpler terms as an order that stops a parent from doing certain things without the court’s permission, such as taking a child abroad. You can see this on the Children Act 1989, section 8, the GOV.UK guide for separated parents and the family courts, and the GOV.UK page on making child arrangements after separation.

For solicitors, family law teams, and private clients, this is an important order because it is often used in urgent and sensitive disputes involving children. HMCTS confirms that a C100 can be used to apply for a prohibited steps order, alongside a child arrangements order or a specific issue order. See the official C100 application page.

What is a prohibited steps order?

A prohibited steps order is one of the section 8 orders under the Children Act 1989. In legal terms, it stops a step being taken by a parent in meeting parental responsibility for a child, where that step is of a kind that could be dealt with by the court. In practical terms, it is used to stop a particular action from happening unless the court allows it. The formal definition is set out in section 8 of the Children Act 1989, and explanatory GOV.UK guidance repeats that this can include issues such as taking a child out of the country.

This type of order is generally about prevention rather than deciding a wider long-term arrangement. That is one reason it is often discussed alongside child arrangements orders and specific issue orders, which are the other main section 8 orders referenced on the C100 application page.

When is a prohibited steps order used?

A prohibited steps order is usually used where one person wants to stop another person from making a specific decision about a child without the court’s permission. GOV.UK gives the example of stopping a child being taken abroad, and its separated parents guide says it can stop a parent from doing certain things unless the court agrees.

In practice, these orders may arise in disputes about:

taking a child abroad
changing a child’s school
removing a child from one parent’s care
relocating a child
other major steps affecting the child’s upbringing

The exact circumstances will depend on the facts of the case and the wording of the order sought. The official C1A harm-allegations form also describes a prohibited steps order as preventing a parent from taking a particular action set out in the order without the court’s permission. See the C1A form guidance PDF.

Why this order matters

A prohibited steps order matters because it can be used to prevent a decision or action before it happens. In children cases, the court’s approach is guided by the child’s welfare. That principle is set out in section 1 of the Children Act 1989, which says the child’s welfare is the court’s paramount consideration when determining questions about a child’s upbringing.

Because these cases often involve urgency, conflict, or concerns about risk, the handling of documents can become especially important. HMCTS notes that the same C100 process is used for prohibited steps orders, and GOV.UK’s urgent hearings guidance also says that before applying for an order concerning a child, a person must usually attend a MIAM unless an exemption applies. See the C100 page and urgent hearings about child arrangements.

Why proper service matters in family law cases

Where a prohibited steps order or related application is being pursued, proper document handling matters because family law disputes involving children are highly sensitive and can be time-critical. If documents are delayed, unclear, or poorly evidenced, that can create stress and practical problems for the people involved.

WeProcess specifically refers to prohibited steps orders on its article about how to apply for a non-molestation or occupation order and also references prohibited steps orders and child arrangements orders in its article on supporting domestic abuse survivors. Those pages position these types of family law matters as urgent, paperwork-heavy, and requiring clear communication.

For firms that regularly handle family cases, using a professional process server can help with:

clearer evidence of service
faster handling of urgent instructions
reduced administrative chasing
better visibility of progress

WeProcess also states in its guide on how long process serving takes in the UK that urgent family law matters can sometimes require same-day or next-day service.

How prohibited steps order documents are typically handled

The exact service requirements will depend on the application, the stage of proceedings, and any court directions. In practice, firms usually want documents connected to sensitive children matters handled carefully, quickly, and with a reliable evidence trail.

A professional process server will usually:

receive the documents and instructions
check any urgency or deadline
attend the address where service is needed
record the outcome clearly
provide proof or a statement of service where required

For broader internal links, this post can also point readers to:

WeProcess presents these pages as part of its wider service for urgent and sensitive legal document delivery.

Prohibited steps order vs child arrangements order vs specific issue order

These three orders all sit under section 8 of the Children Act 1989. HMCTS confirms on the C100 form page that the same form can be used to apply for a child arrangements order, a prohibited steps order, or a specific issue order.

In simple terms:

a child arrangements order deals with where a child lives or spends time
a prohibited steps order stops a particular action being taken without the court’s permission
a specific issue order resolves a particular question about a child’s upbringing

That distinction is useful for your blog series as well, because it creates a natural path into the next family law posts. The official C100 PDF lists all three order types together.

How WeProcess can help

WeProcess supports the service of family law documents across the UK and already refers to prohibited steps orders in its family-law-related content. Useful internal links for this post include:

These supporting pages help connect the article back to your wider service offer and family law content cluster.

Final thoughts

A prohibited steps order is an important family court order used to stop a particular step being taken in relation to a child without the court’s permission. Official guidance from GOV.UK and HMCTS makes clear that it sits within the section 8 Children Act framework and is commonly applied for using the C100 process.

For law firms and private clients, careful document handling still matters throughout the case. That makes this a strong next post in your Document Service Types series and a natural follow-on from the child arrangements order content. WeProcess already references prohibited steps orders in its related family law pages, which gives you a useful internal linking base from the start.

What Is a Prohibited Steps Order?