Adoption by Relatives
Leading International Adoption Solicitors
If you are a relative of a child you wish to adopt, please contact our specialist adoption lawyers. We will explain the process and the options open to you. Our lawyers specialise in intercountry adoption, in particular in situations where the child and relatives reside in different countries.
“Other strengths lie in private law children matters such as international adoption, surrogacy, fertility and other issues such as parental alienation and coercive control.”
“Well-regarded family practice assisting clients with substantial matrimonial disputes and sensitive children proceedings.”
Placing children permanently with relatives is generally recognised as the next best option if a child cannot be cared for by birth parents.
There are a range of possible orders that can be made, including adoption and special guardianship orders.
The need to find a permanent home for a child may arise from care proceedings or as a result of family breakdown, where the local authority may not be involved. We help our clients to weigh up what will be best for the individual child, taking into account factors such as:
- Future contact that the child will have with birth parents and siblings or
- Whether it is important for a child to retain their legal relationship with birth parents.
With our experience and expertise in International Adoption, we also advise and represent relatives offering a permanent home to a child living abroad, who might have been orphaned or abandoned or who has been gifted to them by family members in other countries. In these cases we work closely with specialist immigration lawyers in providing the full range of advice and representation that is needed what are often these most complex cases.
If you are the relative of a child whom you wish to adopt please contact either Naomi or Bridget for a confidential chat. After hearing the specifics of your case they will be able to provide you with further information and options available to you. They will also give you an indication of the process, what will be required of you and the possible time frames involved.
"Highly recommended
Bridget and Amy-Jo were very supportive during what were very stressful proceedings. They were collaborative and I felt listened to and part of a team rather than just a client. We ended up being successful at the hearing.""She's extremely knowledgeable and highly professional."
"She is the guru when it comes to international adoption and she's an expert in her field."
Naomi Angell has a vast wealth of knowledge and experience.
"Naomi Angell is a highly esteemed practitioner who is highlighted as "a leader in the field" and "extremely knowledgeable" by interviewees. She is particularly recognised for her experience in complex adoption disputes."
Bridget Thompson is a public law specialist noted for her extensive practice in matters involving alternative families and adoption. An interviewee observes: "She's a fighter, she's clever, and she understands all aspects of a case."
"Naomi Angell is a leading name in international adoption."
"Recognised for its expertise in both domestic and international adoption, as well as assisted conception."
"Naomi Angell is a leading figure in domestic and inter-country adoptions, and also has expert knowledge of related fertility and surrogacy issues."
"Naomi Angell is phenomenal. She's done it for so long and knows so much that she's a fount of knowledge. If Naomi doesn't know something, it isn't worth knowing."
Naomi Angell is the doyenne of inter-country adoption and the font of all knowledge in this area.
Highly respected for her [Naomi Angell] focused on cross-border children work, including surrogacy matters.
Naomi Angell advises on international adoptions and complex surrogacy matters. She is commended for her broad, in-depth experience."
Naomi Angell is an expert in adoption issues.
Naomi Angell leads the market in cross-border children law matters. Sources confirm that she is "at the cutting edge of changing law and policy" when it comes to international adoption
Naomi Angell is described as hugely experienced, calm and a good listener.
News & Insights from our Family Law SolicitorsVIEW ALL
16.9.2021Osbornes Launch Parenthood Section With Tatler
The family department at Osbornes Law is delighted to announce a new initiative with Tatler. The firm has been working...
Read more
6.9.2021Osbornes Shortlisted At Family Law Awards
The family department is delighted to have been shortlisted for ‘London Law Firm of the Year 2021’ at the Lexis Nexis...
Read more- 6.9.2021
Divorce Lawyer Joanne Wescott Returns from...
Osbornes Law are delighted to welcome back divorce lawyer and partner, Joanne Wescott, who returns from maternity leave. Joanne specialises...
Read more 
22.8.2021Leading Divorce Lawyers Recommended in Tatler
The family department is delighted to announce that two of our partners now appear in the ‘Tatler Advisory’ list of...
Read more- 10.8.2021
Child Maintenance: When is capital, income?
Reading a recent case from the Child Maintenance Tribunal, I considered it worth flagging up that the Child Maintenance Rules...
Read more 
10.8.2021Beneficial Interest in Property
The Court of Appeal provides further clarification on interests in property Andrew Watson, a Divorce Lawyer in Osbornes family department...
Read more
