Making a Case For & Challenging Post Adoption Contact in Scotland - A Guide for Family Lawyers

Introduction

Post adoption contact disputes are among the most sensitive, complex, and legally nuanced matters practitioners face in Scottish family law. Designed for family lawyers, this virtual classroom seminar will equip you with the practical tools, legal insight, and strategic understanding in navigating this evolving and often contested area.

Why does this session matter?

• Post adoption contact disputes involve high stakes for children, adopters, and birth parents. Missteps in submissions or evidence can have profound consequences.
• Recent Scottish cases and evolving psychological research make careful, evidence-based advocacy essential.

Expect a focused exploration of post adoption contact that will help you advance your client’s case, whether you act for prospective adopters or birth parents, with clarity, confidence, and authority.

What You Will Learn

This live and interactive course will cover the following:

• Understand the statutory framework and the key Scottish authorities on post adoption contact, including how courts weigh factors such as attachment, risk, prior contact, parental insight, and the potential for future litigation
• How to frame persuasive, informed submissions for or against post adoption contact, aligned with case law authority
• Identify strengths and weaknesses in proposed contact arrangements
• Prepare robust affidavits and productions to address the issue of post-adoption contact
• Be confident in considering when expert evidence, including from a child psychologist or independent social worker, could assist the court
• Navigate the ‘tricky questions’, including when to seek expert evidence (including from a child psychologist or independent social worker) and strategic advice to adopters who oppose contact or birth parents who appear to undermine prospective adopters
• Advise clients with greater confidence about risk, including the risk of future litigation where a contact condition is imposed

Recording of live sessions: Soon after the Learn Live session has taken place you will be able to go back and access the recording - should you wish to revisit the material discussed.