Specialist legal advice concerning adoption

Adopting a child is a major decision with significant legal implications. At Nelsons, our expert team of solicitors in Derby, Leicester and Nottingham understand this sensitive and complex process and can guide you from the outset right up to the issue of the adoption certificate.
The path to becoming an adoptive parent, whether you are adopting a child from the UK or abroad, is long and can be difficult. In either case, you will be assessed by the Local Authority, and with international adoptions, there are extra issues to consider, such as foreign adoption laws and UK immigration laws.
Need advice? Contact us to find out how we can help
What our clients say about us…
What are the different types of adoption?
- Domestic adoption – the adoption of a child within England and Wales, where the child is either a family member or in the care of the local authority
- International adoption – an adoption where the child is being brought from a country outside England and Wales
- Step-parent adoption
- Foster parent adoption
- Local Authority adoption – when it is your child who is potentially being placed for adoption by a local authority
- Surrogacy adoption
How our specialist team of adoption solicitors
At Nelsons, we have a unique and highly specialist team of adoption solicitors who have extensive knowledge of this specialist area of law.
We can assist with all aspects of the adoption process, including applications, assessments and orders. We can also provide advice concerning parental and birth parent rights.
Our expertise
Our children law team includes:
- Resolution Accredited Specialists
- Law Society Family Panel & Advanced Family Panel members
- Law Society Children Panel Members
Our expertise in children law is also recognised by the independent directories, The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners.
To discuss how our adoption solicitors in Derby, Leicester and Nottingham can help you, please contact us via our online form or call 0800 024 1976 for a guaranteed response.
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"Nelsons Solicitors Limited has an experienced family and children law practice, and is noted for its strength in cases with an international element. The family team...regularly advises high-net-worth individuals on financial relief cases. Melanie Bridgen, who heads up the children team, is experienced in complex children proceedings; this includes matters concerning international relocation, parental alienation and non-accidental injuries."
The Legal 500
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“Accomplished practice noted for both matrimonial and childcare matters. Appropriately equipped to assist with public and private children law, including adoptions, child abductions and non-accidental injury cases. Active in high-value financial remedy matters, including those involving trusts, commercial assets and cross-border aspects.”
Chambers and Partners
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"Nelsons...is a leading firm in family law. They represent people from all walks of life and always give 110% to all of their cases. Their diversity is exceptional. Unlike other solicitors they are always on hand to speak by phone or email, night or day or weekend. They will take the most challenging pro bono cases to ensure that clients have the best representation and advocacy."
The Legal 500 2023
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"Midlands powerhouse Nelsons Solicitors Limited houses family law specialists in each of its three offices, led by Emma Davies (in Nottingham); Melanie Bridgen (Derby)...The firm is particularly recommended for its capabilities in dealing with international children law cases, a specialism of Bridgen, as well as, surrogacy, unravelling trusts, complex business arrangements and divorce. ‘Outstanding’ director Gayle Rowley has built up a specialisation in financial remedies and private children law."
The Legal 500 2023
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"Superb family law team, class A and the absolute go to in children law and financial relief on divorce. They far outweigh their competitors in every aspect. The people provide hands on support and client care from the outset concentrating on strategy and approach. Given their wealth of experience, they are financially competitive."
Referee feedback provided to The Legal 500 2024
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"Nelsons are an well-established and highly respected firm, deservedly so. They cover a number of disciplines with the utmost professionalism. They are a pleasure to deal with and prominent in the local legal community."
Referee feedback provided to The Legal 500 2024