Sources

The small numbers in the text point to these sources. Information and links checked November 2026.

1. Administration of Justice Act 1960, section 12; HM Courts and Tribunals Service, Sharing information outside of court in family proceedings (2025); Contempt of Court Act 1981, section 9.
2. Children Act 1989, section 1 (the welfare checklistWelfare checklist. The list of factors in section 1(3) of the Children Act 1989 the court considers when deciding what is best for a child. is section 1(3)), and sections 2, 3, 4, 7, 8 and 11(4) (orders for a child to live with both parents); GOV.UK, Parental rights and responsibilities.
3. Children Act 1989, section 1(2A) and (6), inserted by the Children and Families Act 2014, section 11; Ministry of Justice announcement on repeal of the presumption of parental involvement (22 October 2025); Courts and Tribunals Bill, still before Parliament in November 2026.
4. Family Procedure Rules 2010, Practice Direction 12JPractice Direction 12J. The rules the court must follow where domestic abuse is alleged or admitted.: child arrangements and contact orders, domestic abuse and harm.
5. Ministry of Justice, Children to get swifter justice as new family court approach expands nationally (17 March 2026); CafcassCafcass. The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service, which advises the family court on children's welfare in England. Cafcass Cymru does the same in Wales. Cymru, Child Focused Courts announced for national rollout (March 2026).
6. Cafcass, Planning Together for Children and parenting planParenting plan. A written, non-binding agreement between parents about arrangements for their child. resources.
7. Family Procedure Rules 2010, Part 3 and Practice Direction 3A: non-court dispute resolution and MIAMs, as amended from 29 April 2024.
8. Family Mediation Council and Ministry of Justice, Family Mediation Voucher Scheme, extended into 2027.
9. HM Courts and Tribunals Service, Form C100C100. The application form for a child arrangements, prohibited steps or specific issue order, or to vary one. and guidance CB1CB1. The court service guide to making an application involving children, including who can apply and the orders you can ask for. and CB7CB7. The court service guide for separated parents on child arrangements and what to expect at family court..
10. HM Courts and Tribunals Service, EX50EX50. The guidance that lists the current civil and family court fees.: Civil and family court fees (from 13 July 2026); EX160EX160. The form to apply for Help with Fees, if you're on a low income or certain benefits.: Help with FeesHelp with Fees. A scheme that can reduce or cover eligible court fees. EX160 is the paper application form..
11. Child Abduction Act 1984, section 1; Children Act 1989, section 13.
12. Domestic Abuse Act 2021, Part 4; Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984, sections 31Q to 31W.
13. Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012, Part 1 and Schedule 1; Civil Legal Aid (Procedure) Regulations 2012, regulation 33.
14. Children Act 1989, sections 11A to 11P (activity directions, monitoring, warning notices, enforcement orders and compensation); Family Procedure Rules 2010, Part 37 (committal).
15. Children Act 1989, sections 11J and 11K (when an enforcement orderEnforcement order. An order requiring unpaid work where a child arrangements order has been breached without reasonable excuse. can be made, and the warning noticeWarning notice. A notice attached to a child arrangements order setting out the consequences of not complying with it. requirement).
16. Children Act 1989, sections 91(14) and 91A, as amended by the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, section 67; Practice Direction 12Q.
17. Family Justice Council, Covert recordings in family law proceedings concerning children (15 May 2025).
18. The law of defamation: absolute privilegeAbsolute privilege. The legal protection for what's said in court proceedings. Nobody can be sued over what they say or write in the case, so people, including victims of abuse, can tell the court the truth without fear. for statements made in the course of court proceedings; Family Procedure Rules 2010, Part 17 (statements of truth).
19. Judiciary of England and Wales, Open reporting provisions extended to all family courts (27 January 2025).