United Kingdom · family

How to Complete Form C100 for Child Arrangements in the UK

When an ex-partner unilaterally cuts off contact or dictates unreasonable terms, Form C100 is your legal mechanism to secure a legally binding Child Arrangements Order. Under the Children Act 1989 in England and Wales, Family Courts determine arrangements based strictly on child welfare, not parental gatekeeping. Submitting this form accurately is essential to prevent procedural rejections and bring your case before a judge without delay.

The Legal Framework in England and Wales: Children Act 1989 and MIAM Requirements

In England and Wales, court applications regarding where a child lives or spends time are governed by Section 8 of the Children Act 1989. The Family Court operates under the paramountcy principle set out in Section 1(1): the child's welfare is the court's paramount consideration. The court evaluates all requests against the statutory 'welfare checklist' in Section 1(3), which considers the child's physical, emotional, and educational needs, their wishes and feelings (in light of age and understanding), and the likely effect of any change in circumstances.

Before you can submit Form C100, the law imposes a strict pre-action requirement. Under Section 22 of the Children and Families Act 2014 and Part 3 of the Family Procedure Rules 2010, you must attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) unless you meet specific statutory exemptions. An authorised family mediator must sign Section 14 of your form. If you claim an exemption—such as recent domestic abuse, child protection concerns, or urgent risk of harm—you must tick the corresponding box in Section 2 and supply acceptable documentary evidence. Courts routinely stay (pause) proceedings or reject applications outright where applicants bypass the MIAM without valid legal grounds.

Navigating Key Sections of Form C100 and Safety Issues (Form C1A)

Form C100 requires precise, measured information. In Section 5, you specify the Section 8 order you are requesting: a Child Arrangements Order (determining who the child lives with or spends time with), a Prohibited Steps Order (stopping a specific action, such as relocation), or a Specific Issue Order (resolving a dispute like schooling or medical treatment). Clearly identify whether you seek defined, regular contact or primary residence, and summarise your proposed schedule succinctly.

A common trap is using the brief summary section to wage an emotional campaign against the other parent. Judges look for practical solutions aligned with the Section 1(3) welfare checklist, not personal grievances. However, if there are genuine allegations of domestic abuse, substance misuse, or harm to the child, you must complete supplemental Form C1A alongside Form C100. Practice Direction 12J of the Family Procedure Rules governs how the court handles allegations of domestic abuse, triggering safeguarding checks by Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service) before any first hearing.

Filing, Court Fees, and Next Steps

The standard court application fee for Form C100 is £255. If you receive means-tested benefits or have a low income, you should apply for fee remission using Form EX160 (Help with Fees) before or alongside your submission. You can file Form C100 online via the HMCTS portal or by lodging three hard copies with your local Family Court centre. Once issued, Cafcass will conduct initial safeguarding checks (speaking to both parties and checking police and local authority records) and issue a safeguarding letter prior to the First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment (FHDRA).

Navigating unilateral gatekeeping can be exhausting, but taking decisive, procedurally correct action removes the dispute from an unfair interpersonal dynamic and places it before an objective court. You can use Caunsel to research statutory requirements, securely organise your timeline and evidence in a dedicated case, or connect with an independent family lawyer to review your draft C100 before formal submission.

Steps

• Schedule and attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) with an authorised mediator, or gather required evidence for a statutory exemption under Family Procedure Rules Part 3.
• Draft Section 1 to 4 of Form C100, ensuring all child details, parental responsibility status, and mediator certifications (or exemption categories) are complete.
• Draft Section 5 focusing strictly on the Section 1(3) welfare checklist: specify whether you want a 'live with' or 'spend time with' order and detail your proposed practical schedule.
• Complete supplemental Form C1A if domestic abuse, harm, or child safety risks exist, setting out factual allegations as required by Practice Direction 12J.
• Check fee remission eligibility via Form EX160, then submit your Form C100 package online through HMCTS or send three physical copies to your local Family Court.

Common mistakes

• Submitting the application without an authorised mediator's signature or valid statutory exemption proof, which leads to immediate rejection or delays.
• Turning Section 5 into an unfocused character attack against the other parent rather than presenting a structured, child-focused schedule.
• Omitting Form C1A when safety or domestic abuse allegations are present, leading to procedural hurdles and delayed safeguarding directions.
• Paying the £255 court fee when eligible for partial or full fee remission through the HMCTS Help with Fees service (Form EX160).

Questions people ask

Do I always have to attend a MIAM before filing Form C100?

Yes, unless you qualify for an exemption under Family Procedure Rules 2010 Rule 3.8. Valid exemptions include documented domestic abuse within the last 5 years, urgent child protection concerns, risk of significant harm, or an absence of mediators within 15 miles.

How much does it cost to submit Form C100?

The HMCTS court issue fee is £255. However, applicants on low incomes or specific benefits may pay nothing or a reduced fee by submitting an EX160 'Help with Fees' application alongside the C100.

What happens after Form C100 is submitted to the court?

The court issues the application and sends a copy to Cafcass. Cafcass carries out initial police and social services safeguarding checks, speaks briefly with both parents, and sends a safeguarding letter to the court before the First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment (FHDRA), typically held within 4 to 8 weeks.

General information only, last updated 2026-10-28. Caunsel is not a law firm and does not practise law. AI answers and this guide are not legal advice. Verify filings, deadlines, and statutes with a licensed lawyer in United Kingdom.