I Got A ‘PLO’ Letter – What Do I Do?

Question Mark on Blackboard

In his first Family Law blog, trainee solicitor Matthew Light explains what to do if you get a PLO letter….

Take it to a solicitor and get their advice on for the PLO meeting. We appreciate this can be a scary time for parents and it can be hard to know what to do.

What Is A PLO Letter?

PLO stands for “Public Law Outline”. This term is a reference to the procedure that social services and the Local Authority need to follow. We won’t go into more detail on the specifics here, as this blog is about you and what you need.

When the social workers are worried about your children then they may decide to go to court to have a judge decide what to do. Before they do that, they should write you a letter saying why they are going to court or what you can do to avoid it. This is the PLO Letter.

How Do I Know That My Letter Is A PLO Letter?

A PLO letter will: –
1. Have the words ‘letter before proceedings” on it;
2. Say where and when the meeting is;
3. Tell you to take the PLO letter to a solicitor ASAP;
4. List the Local Authority’s concerns about your children.

Why Is It Important?

It is you last chance to work with the social workers and the Local Authority before they decide to go to court. If you don’t attend to try and work with them then you could lose the care and responsibility for your children.

So What Do I Do Now?

Do what the PLO Letter says – take it to a solicitor straight away. You might know someone that has been in a similar situation who may can recommend someone.

If not, then the letter will have a list of local solicitors who can advise. You don’t have to use the solicitors on the list if you don’t want to. It is there to help you.

Will I Have To Pay?

The good news is that you do not have to pay. The solicitor who you choose will be able to sort out legal aid for you to cover their costs. If the solicitor that you go to can’t, then they are not the right solicitor for you and you should go somewhere else.

What Will The Solicitor Do?

Besides sorting legal aid, they will answer any questions you have and they will meet you (either in person or on the phone) to find out your side of the story what you think about the letter. This will help them give you legal advice and prepare for the meeting. Then they will attend the meeting with you.

This might be the first time you feel like anyone is on your side. That’s because they are. Your solicitor’s job is to advise you and to help you at the meeting.