Introduction: MSUK Group complies with the requirements of Family Mediation Association and the Civil Medication Council. MSUK Group will deal promptly and courteously with any complaint, formal or informal, made to the service. The cause of any problem of which...
OTHER INSIGHTS
The MOJ extends the mediation voucher scheme by a further 1.3 million
On Monday Lord Wolfson the Under Secretary of State for Justice and the President of the Family Division Sir Andrew McFarlane spoke at the launch of Mediation Week. Both stated their desire to make mediation the default position for most family disputes. Lord Wolfson...
Parents to face cost orders for failing to engage in Mediation
The Justice secretary Dominic Raab speaking to the justice committee of the House of Commons last week stated that over 50% of cases in the court system did not need to be heard by a judge. In November the Justice secretary outlined his plans that parents who are...
What is a Child Arrangements Order and how can we help?
A child arrangements order is a court order that sets out who has responsibility for the care of a child, including who they live with and how often they will see/ have contact with both parents.
Most commonly used in cases where the parents cannot reach an agreement on how to share the care of their children, the purpose of the order is to ensure that the child’s welfare is the first and foremost consideration.
What is a child arrangements order? What does it mean?
A child arrangements order is a court order that sets out who is responsible for the care of a child.
It is usually used in cases when the parents cannot agree on how to split care of their children.
What does a child arrangements order specify?
A child arrangements order can state:
- Who the children live with
- Where they live
- When and how the children will see both parents
For example, they may spend weeknights in the family home and weekends with their mother/father.
It can also set out other types of contact such as through phone calls, video calls, cards and letters etc.
Who can apply for a child arrangements order?
The following people can apply for an order without prior permission from the court.
- A parent, guardian or special guardian of the child
- A spouse or civil partner if the child is part of that family
- Someone with parental responsibility
- Someone who already has a residence order for that child
- Someone who the child has lived with for more than three years
Grandparents, who do not meet any of the criteria above, have to apply to the court for permission before applying for the order.
How can we help?
Mediation is by far the cheapest option when resolving any dispute and our team of highly experience mediators can help families through the process of making the appropriate child arrangement order. Please contact our administration team to discuss this further.