Child Arrangement Order Solicitors in London
Clear, child-focused advice on where your child lives and time with each parent, from agreement to court.
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A child arrangement order is a court order that decides where a child lives and how much time they spend with each parent or other important adults. Our child arrangement order solicitors in London help parents, grandparents and guardians agree arrangements, turn agreements into binding consent orders, and represent them when the court has to decide.
Adam Bernard Solicitors advises from offices in High Holborn and Upton Park, and by video call. Call 0207 100 2525 (24/7) or book a free consultation.
What is a child arrangement order?
A child arrangement order (CAO) is an order under section 8 of the Children Act 1989 that regulates who a child lives with, spends time with or otherwise has contact with. CAOs replaced residence orders and contact orders in April 2014.
A CAO can set out:
- Lives with: which parent the child lives with, or a shared arrangement where the child lives with both
- Spends time with: weekday, weekend, school-holiday and special-occasion time with the other parent
- Other contact: video calls, phone calls, letters, or supervised time at a contact centre
- Conditions: handover arrangements, travel, or steps each parent must take
GOV.UK describes a court order as “a legally binding decision” that both parents must follow (GOV.UK).
"Lives with" and "spends time with" orders compared
The two parts of a CAO do different legal jobs, and the difference matters most for parental responsibility.
| Lives-with order | Spends-time-with order | |
|---|---|---|
| What it decides | The child’s home | Time and contact with the other parent or relative |
| Parental responsibility | A non-parent named gets parental responsibility while the order lasts; an unmarried father named must also be given a parental responsibility order | Court must consider giving an unmarried father parental responsibility |
| How long it lasts | Can last until the child is 18 | Usually ends at 16 |
| Typical applicant | Parent, grandparent or relative caring for the child | Non-resident parent or grandparent |
Do you need a child arrangement order?
You only need a CAO if you cannot agree arrangements, or you want an agreement to be legally binding. Many parents agree a parenting plan and never go to court.
A CAO is usually needed where:
- One parent is stopping the child seeing the other
- Parents cannot agree where the child should live
- There are safeguarding concerns, such as domestic abuse
- An existing arrangement keeps breaking down and needs to be fixed in an order
- A grandparent or relative is caring for the child and needs legal standing
If you mainly want to see your child more, our child contact solicitors explain how contact is arranged and enforced.
Consent orders: making an agreement legally binding
If you and your ex-partner agree, a solicitor can draft a consent order so the court approves your arrangement without a contested hearing. Both parents sign it and you usually do not need to attend court (GOV.UK).
A consent order gives both parents certainty. It is also easier to enforce than an informal agreement if one parent later stops following it.
How to apply for a child arrangement order
Most applicants must attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) first, then apply on form C100 with a £270 court fee.
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. MIAM | Required unless an exemption applies, such as domestic abuse, urgency or child-protection concerns. A government voucher worth up to £500 may cover mediation costs |
| 2. C100 application | Filed online or by post. Fee £270 (GOV.UK family court fees); help with fees is available on a low income |
| 3. Safeguarding checks | Cafcass carries out police and local-authority checks before the first hearing |
| 4. Hearings | First hearing, then further hearings and a final hearing if no agreement is reached |
GOV.UK says a court order usually takes around 10 months, depending on location and circumstances. For a step-by-step guide to each hearing, see our page on how to get contact with your child.
Who can apply for a child arrangement order?
Parents, guardians, special guardians and anyone with parental responsibility can apply without permission. Grandparents and other relatives usually need the court’s permission first, unless the child has lived with them for a qualifying period.
We regularly help grandparents through the permission stage and the main application together, so the case is not delayed.
How the court decides: the welfare checklist
The child’s welfare is the court’s paramount consideration, and judges apply the welfare checklist in section 1(3) of the Children Act 1989. The checklist covers:
- The child’s wishes and feelings, in light of their age and understanding
- Their physical, emotional and educational needs
- The likely effect of any change in circumstances
- Their age, sex, background and relevant characteristics
- Any harm suffered or risk of harm
- How capable each parent is of meeting the child’s needs
- The range of orders available to the court
The court also avoids delay and only makes an order if it is better for the child than making no order at all.
2026 changes to child arrangement cases
Two government reforms announced in 2026 affect how CAO cases are run.
- Child Focused Courts: formerly the Pathfinder model, these courts identify risks such as domestic abuse earlier. The government confirmed national expansion on 17 March 2026, reporting that pilot areas halved backlogs and resolved cases up to 7.5 months faster (GOV.UK). London is not in the first expansion wave; remaining areas follow in later years.
- Presumption of parental involvement: the government plans to repeal the presumption that both parents’ involvement benefits the child, through the Courts and Tribunals Bill (GOV.UK). Until the Bill becomes law, the current presumption still applies.
Varying or enforcing an existing order
An existing CAO can be varied if circumstances change, or enforced if the other parent breaks it. Applications to vary go back to the family court. Breaches can lead to an enforcement order, unpaid work or compensation. Our child contact solicitors handle enforcement where contact is being refused.
Planning to move with your child?
Moving abroad, or a long way within the UK, raises separate legal issues from a standard CAO. A parent named in a lives-with order can take the child abroad for up to one month without consent; anything longer needs the other parent’s written consent or the court’s permission. See our child relocation solicitors for full advice.
How our child arrangement solicitors help
- Advice on your options before any application
- Drafting parenting plans and consent orders
- MIAM and mediation support
- Preparing and responding to C100 applications
- Urgent without-notice applications where a child is at risk
- Representation at every hearing, with barristers instructed where needed
- Applications to vary or enforce existing orders
- CAO advice running alongside divorce proceedings
Why choose Adam Bernard Solicitors?
- 15 years advising London families, with 15,000+ clients served across our practice areas
- Offices in High Holborn (Central London) and Upton Park (East London)
- Free initial consultation in person or by Zoom, Teams, WhatsApp or Skype
- Transparent fees with clear advice from the outset
- Authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA No. 598171)
Explore our wider family law services, or call 0207 100 2525 to speak to a child arrangement order solicitor today.
This page is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a child arrangement order cost?
The court fee for a C100 application is £270. Help with fees is available on a low income or benefits. Solicitor fees are separate and depend on whether the case settles by consent or goes to a final hearing.
How long does a child arrangement order take?
GOV.UK says a contested order usually takes around 10 months. A consent order agreed between parents is often approved within weeks.
Do I need a solicitor for a child arrangement order?
No, you can apply yourself. A child arrangement order solicitor helps you choose the right order, prepare evidence and present your case in line with the welfare checklist.
Can a child arrangement order be changed?
Yes. Either party can apply to vary the order if circumstances change, such as a new job, school or home. The court applies the same welfare test.
Does a child arrangement order give me parental responsibility?
A non-parent named in a lives-with order gets parental responsibility while the order lasts. An unmarried father named in a lives-with order must also be given a parental responsibility order.
How long does a child arrangement order last?
Spends-time-with orders usually end when the child turns 16. Lives-with arrangements can continue until 18.
Can grandparents apply for a child arrangement order?
Yes, but most grandparents need the court's permission before making the main application.
Do I have to attend mediation before applying?
Usually you must attend a MIAM first. Exemptions include domestic abuse, urgency and child-protection concerns.
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