Pursuant to Section 7(1) of the Children (Guardianship And Custody) Act The Court may, upon the application of the father or mother of a child, make such order as it may think fit regarding the custody of such child and the right of access thereto of either parent, having regard to the welfare of the child, and to the conduct of the parents, and to the wishes as well of the mother as of the father, and may alter, vary, or discharge such order on the application of either parent, or, after the death of either parent, of any guardian under this Act; and in every case may make such order respe

Pursuant to Section 4 of the Children (Guardianship and Custody) Act

Guardian in relation to a child means a person appointed by deed or will or by a court of competent jurisdiction, to be his guardian. 

In order to enforce unpaid child maintenance, the person to whom moneys should be paid may attend the court's office and file an application for disobedience of maintenance.  This application can be done only if the Court made an order that the maintenance money should be paid directly to the applicant or the applicant's bank account.  The applicant must also be in a position to inform the court's office of the outstanding period for which moneys are outstanding.

An application for Maintenance may be pursued at the Parish Court against any parent who has refused to support their child. The applicant may attend the court's office with the child's' birth certificate as well as a copy of a government issued identification, i.e. Passport or Driver’s License or National Identification and Taxpayer Registration Number (TRN) to pursue this action.

There is no need to have a police report when applying for a Protection Order and there is no cost.

Pursuant to Section 3 of the Domestic Violence Act the Court may, on application, grant a protection order or occupation order. 

An application for any of these orders may be made-

(a)    by the spouse or parent in respect of whom the alleged conduct has been, or is likely to be, engaged in by            the respondent;

(b)   

where the alleged conduct is used or threatened against a child or dependent by-

(i)   

There is a difference between a Protection Order and a Restraining Order.  Pursuant to the Domestic Violence Act, a Protection Order is an Order made by the court to prohibit someone who is abusive either verbally, emotionally or physically, from entering or remaining in a particular household residence, place of work, place of education or any particular place that could affect a prescribed person.  While a Restraining Order is an Order made by the court to prohibit an individual from carrying out a particular action.

A person who wishes to discontinue a matter before the Court may attend Court on the scheduled date and inform the court of his or her decision not to proceed.  The Court may make certain enquiries and if it is satisfied the request may be granted.

A Formal Order is a legal document outlining an order made by the court which is signed and sealed with the Court's seal.