If you are going through a separation and cannot agree on arrangements for your children, you may be wondering how long a Child Arrangement Order will take. The honest answer is: it depends — but most cases take between 6 and 18 months, and London-based cases often take considerably longer than the national average.
In this guide, our child arrangement solicitors explain the full family court timeline, what causes delays, and what you can do to reach a resolution as quickly as possible.
What is a Child Arrangement Order?
A Child Arrangement Order (CAO) is a legally binding court order under the Children Act 1989 that sets out where a child lives and how much time they spend with each parent. It replaced the old Residence Orders and Contact Orders in 2014.
Courts make Child Arrangement Orders when parents cannot reach an agreement themselves — either about where the child will live, the amount of contact with the non-resident parent, or both.
How Long Does a Child Arrangement Order Take? The Short Answer
Most child arrangement cases take between 6 and 12 months from application to final order. According to GOV.UK Family Court Statistics for Q3 2025, the national average is 36 weeks — approximately 9 months.
However, the timeline varies considerably depending on:
- Whether both parents can reach an agreement early in proceedings
- The complexity of the case and whether safeguarding concerns exist
- The court’s local capacity and waiting list
- Whether a CAFCASS report or expert evidence is required
London had an average duration of 70 weeks for private law cases brought by parents — nearly twice the national average — with nearly two-thirds of the longest-running cases concentrated in London and the South East.
If you are applying through a London family court, you should plan for a longer timeline than the national figures suggest.
The Child Arrangement Order Timeline: Stage by Stage
Stage 1 — MIAM (Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting)
Before you can apply to court, you are generally required to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM). This is a short, individual session with a family mediator who explains the alternatives to court, including mediation, collaborative law, and solicitor negotiation.
Typical timeframe: 1–3 weeks to arrange
You may be exempt from the MIAM requirement in certain circumstances, including where there has been domestic abuse, where there is an urgent risk to a child, or where the other party is untraceable. Your solicitor can advise whether an exemption applies to your situation.
Stage 2 — Filing the Application (C100 Form)
If mediation is not appropriate or has broken down, your solicitor will prepare and file a C100 application form with the family court. The court application fee is currently £263 (as of October 2025). You will also need to consider legal fees for preparation and representation.
Typical timeframe: 1–2 weeks to prepare and submit
Once the application is filed, the court will serve notice on the other parent (the respondent) and list the case for the first hearing.
Stage 3 — First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment (FHDRA)
The First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment (FHDRA) is where both parents, their solicitors, and a CAFCASS officer attend court for the first time. The judge will attempt to narrow the issues and explore whether an agreement can be reached.
In many areas, the first hearing takes 8–12 weeks from the date you apply. In busier courts, it can take longer
At the FHDRA, three outcomes are possible:
- Agreement reached — the judge makes a consent order and proceedings end. This is the fastest outcome.
- Partial agreement — interim arrangements are put in place while the remaining issues are resolved.
- No agreement — the case is listed for further hearings, which may include a Dispute Resolution Appointment (DRA) or a fact-finding hearing.
Typical timeframe from filing to FHDRA: 8–16 weeks
Stage 4 — CAFCASS Section 7 Report (if ordered)
If there are concerns about a child’s welfare, or the parents cannot agree and the court needs more information, the judge may order a Section 7 report from CAFCASS (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service). CAFCASS will speak to both parents, the child (where appropriate), and other relevant parties before submitting a written report with recommendations.
Section 7 reports can take up to three months. This stage alone can add significantly to the overall timeline, particularly given current CAFCASS caseloads.
Typical timeframe: 10–16 weeks
Stage 5 — Dispute Resolution Appointment (DRA)
If the case has not settled at the FHDRA, a Dispute Resolution Appointment (DRA) will be listed. This is a second hearing at which the judge reviews the evidence — including any CAFCASS report — and again attempts to encourage agreement between the parties.
Many cases resolve at this stage, particularly where the CAFCASS recommendations are clear.
Typical timeframe: 4–8 weeks after Section 7 report is received
Stage 6 — Fact-Finding Hearing (if required)
Where one parent makes serious allegations against the other — such as domestic abuse, substance misuse, or neglect — the court may list a separate fact-finding hearing before deciding on arrangements. The judge will assess the evidence and make findings of fact before the case proceeds to a final hearing.
Fact-finding hearings take up a lot of court time, and you might have to wait another six months or more for a hearing date. A fact-finding hearing will not necessarily deal with child arrangements, so you will need another hearing afterwards.
This is one of the most significant causes of delay in child arrangement proceedings.
Typical timeframe: adds 4–9 months to overall proceedings
Stage 7 — Final Hearing
At the final hearing, the judge considers all the evidence — witness statements, the CAFCASS report, and any expert evidence — and makes a final Child Arrangement Order. Both parents may give oral evidence and be cross-examined.
Typical timeframe: listed 4–8 weeks after DRA, or longer in complex cases
Full Timeline Summary
| Stage | Typical Timeframe |
|---|---|
| MIAM | 1–3 weeks |
| File C100 application | 1–2 weeks |
| First Hearing (FHDRA) | 8–16 weeks from filing |
| CAFCASS Section 7 Report | 10–16 weeks (if ordered) |
| Dispute Resolution Appointment | 4–8 weeks after report |
| Fact-finding hearing (if needed) | Adds 4–9 months |
| Final Hearing | 4–8 weeks after DRA |
| Total (straightforward case) | 4–9 months |
| Total (contested / complex case) | 12–24 months |
How Long Does a Child Arrangement Order Take in London?
If your case is being heard at a London family court — such as the Central Family Court in Holborn, or East London Family Court — you should be aware that wait times are significantly longer than the national average.
London averages 70 weeks for private law child arrangement cases, compared to a national median of approximately 43 weeks. This reflects the significantly higher demand on London’s family courts relative to available judicial capacity.
This is particularly relevant for families in Central London and East London. Planning ahead with an experienced child arrangement solicitor — and exploring all alternatives to court — is especially important if you are based in London.
What Can Make a Child Arrangement Order Take Longer?
Several factors can extend the timeline beyond the typical range:
Serious allegations or safeguarding concerns — Allegations of domestic abuse, substance misuse, or neglect will usually result in a fact-finding hearing, adding months to the process.
A CAFCASS report being ordered — If the court requires a Section 7 report, expect to add 3–4 months to the overall timeline.
Non-compliance by either party — Failing to respond to correspondence, missing deadlines, or not complying with court directions causes delays and can result in costs being awarded against you.
Expert witnesses — In cases involving allegations of parental alienation, mental health issues, or complex medical matters, the court may require independent expert evidence. Expert reports from an adult or child psychologist can add considerable time in cases involving allegations of parental alienation or narcissistic personality disorder.
Court backlogs — London and other busy courts are managing high caseloads. Private law children cases rose 11% year-on-year in Q3 2025, adding further pressure to an already stretched system.
What Can Speed Up a Child Arrangement Order?
The single most effective way to shorten the process is to reach an agreement with the other parent — either through mediation, solicitor negotiation, or a collaborative law approach — before the matter reaches a final hearing.
Other steps that can help include:
- Instructing a solicitor early — Good legal advice from the outset means your application is prepared correctly and strategically from day one
- Complying with all court directions promptly — Every missed deadline extends your case
- Engaging genuinely with mediation — Courts view parties who refuse reasonable attempts at resolution unfavourably
- Keeping communication child-focused — Judges respond well to parents who demonstrably put their children’s welfare first
- Considering a consent order — If you and the other parent reach an agreement at any stage, your solicitors can draft a consent order for the judge to approve, ending proceedings immediately
Can a Child Arrangement Order Be Made Urgently?
Yes. In cases where a child is at immediate risk — for example, if one parent has taken the child without consent, or there is a genuine concern about a child’s safety — an emergency application can be made on a without notice basis (without informing the other parent in advance).
Emergency orders can be heard within hours or days. However, the court scrutinises urgency claims carefully and will expect clear evidence that the matter cannot wait for the standard process.
If you believe your child is at risk, contact a solicitor immediately.
Do I Need a Solicitor for a Child Arrangement Order?
You are not legally required to instruct a solicitor, and some parents do represent themselves (as a litigant in person). However, 80% of private family law proceedings now have at least one party without legal representation, and 39% have neither party represented — a threefold increase from just 13% in 2013 following legal aid cuts. Family court judges report that unrepresented parties frequently struggle with procedural requirements, which can itself cause delays.
Having a solicitor on your side means your application is properly prepared, deadlines are met, and your case is presented clearly and persuasively at every hearing. In complex or high-conflict cases, professional representation can make a significant difference to the outcome.
Speak to a Child Arrangement Solicitor in London
If you are facing a child arrangement dispute, the sooner you take legal advice, the better. Early intervention — whether through negotiation, mediation, or a well-prepared court application — gives you and your children the best chance of a swift and stable resolution.
Contact Adam Bernard Solicitors today to book a free initial consultation with one of our specialist family solicitors.
