Child Arrangements Orders:
“Live With” and “Spend Time With”
When parents separate one of the most important issues to resolve are the arrangements made for children. This can include discussions such as to where the children will live, how often the children will see the other parent, child maintenance, schooling and education. The Children Act 1989 (section 1(1) Children Act 1989) says that the family court must treat the welfare of the child as the most important thing. This is the called the “Paramountcy Principle.” As your McKenzie friend I will support you as a mother within the court process to understand how Cafcass and the Family Courts operate.
We provide online support to clients throughout the whole of England and Wales, attending online hearings when directed by the judge.
Women’s McKenzie Friend will attend court with you at a number of family courts throughout the whole of London and the South West. We provide our services to Women who live within London and Greater London covering the primary courts of West London Family Court, Central Family Court London and the East London Family Court. We cover the South West of England and attend, amongst others, the family courts of Swindon, Oxford, Salisbury, Bath, Bristol, Basingstoke, Southampton, Portsmouth, Winchester, Reading, Exeter, Slough, Brighton and Guildford.
Please contact me for a FREE 30 minute consultation to discuss your needs.
Section 8 orders under the Children Act 1989.
- Child Arrangement Orders. Setting out where a child will live and when, and setting out when a child will see a particular person, usually a parent.
- Prohibited Steps Orders. A form of injunction that prevents a person doing something to or with a child, for example saying a parent must not remove a child from his or her school or take them abroad.
- Specific Issue Orders. An order to decide a particular point of dispute about a child’s upbringing such as a child’s medical issues.
I understand you will be experiencing the impact of separation and the anxiety, stress and confusion this creates. I can help you gain confidence to understand, cope with and navigate the family court process. It is beneficial to your case if you feel more in control of your situation, know what to expect and feel confident of what you need in order to effectively address the difficult decisions you will have to make.
You may decide you need guidance and support with any or all of the flowing in respect of a Child Arrangements Order.
- Response to an application for a Child Arrangements Order; or
- Completion of form C100 as an Applicant for an order
- Cafcass and safeguarding
- Preparing for the First Hearing (FHDRA) and support at court
- Position Statements
- Finding of Fact Hearings if required
- Witness statement
- Written evidence
- Preparation for the second Hearing DRA
- Bundles – your indexed file of relevant court papers
- Final Hearings
- Breach of and Enforcement of orders
As your Women’s McKenzie Friend I will bring knowledge, understanding and experience to help you evidence and manage your case. I will reassure and support you to develop skills and strategies at a time of anxiety to enable you to run your case in a clear, proportionate and balanced way.