Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Key definition
Local authority definition What does Local authority mean? In legal practice, a local authority is the elected council that provides local government for a defined area, exercising statutory functions including planning, housing, social care, education, highways, environmental health, licensing, and the collection of council tax or rates. The expression appears widely in legislation and case law; its precise scope is set by the relevant statute. England: county councils and district councils (including metropolitan boroughs), unitary authorities, London Boroughs and the Common Council of the City of London; parish and town councils are local authorities at the most local tier. Wales: unitary county and county borough councils. Scotland: the...
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Public law children proceedings: a client guide to care, supervision and emergency protection orders, adoption, and the court process in England and Wales
Published by a
LexisNexis Family expert
Precedents
This overview offers general information about public law applications concerning children. Your family solicitor can give tailored guidance for your situation. When a Local authority is worried about a child’s wellbeing and steps in within a family, the court can make a range of orders. This guide sets out a concise outline of those orders. It offers general guidance; your family lawyer can give specific advice for your circumstances as to your needs.
About care proceedings
‘Care proceedings’ describes the legal route by which a local authority asks the court to permit it to take a young person into its care. Children are only ‘looked after’ by a local authority if the court is satisfied that a child is suffering, or likely to suffer, Significant harm due to the care given by parents or carers, or is beyond a parent or carer’s control.
What is an interim Care order?
This is typically the initial stage in court proceedings where social workers have become seriously concerned about a child. The local authority may invite the court to make an interim care order while it investigates the situation and considers what longer-term arrangements should be put in place for the child...
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Web page updated on 22/05/2026
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