C1 Application Form

 

Form C1 is the standard form for an originating application in Children Act 1989 proceedings. It has thirteen simple sections.

If you do not know the address of the Respondant or Child, you will also need to complete a form C3 (Application for an order authorising search for, taking charge of, and delivery of a child).

1 About you (the applicant)
Fill in your name, address, date of birth and relationship (e.g. father) to each child.

2 The child(ren) and the order(s) you are applying for
Fill in the name, date of birth and sex of each child and state which orders you are applying for (e.g. Contact and Parental Responsibility orders or Residence and Prohibited Steps orders).

3 Other cases which concern the children
If there have been no previous cases concerning the named child(ren) or any siblings, and if no other proceedings are pending, leave this section blank. If there have been other relevant proceedings you will need to give details and attach a copy of any order.

4 The respondent(s)
Fill in the name, address, date of birth (if known) and relationship to each child (e.g. mother) of the person against whom you are seeking an order.

5 Others to whom notice is to be given
If it is a 'normal' case involving the child's natural parents, leave this section blank. Otherwise give the name, address, date of birth and relationship to each child of any person entitled to be a party to proceedings (i.e. any person who has parental responsibility for the child).

6 The care of the child(ren)
Fill in the current address of the child, state how long s/he has lived there, and state whether it is the child's usual address, giving the name of whoever is caring for the child at that address.

7 Domestic abuse, violence or harm
Decide to tick the box indicating whether or not you believe the children have suffered or are at risk of suffering domestic abuse, violence, or abduction. If you tick 'Yes' you will have to fill in a separate form (C1A) giving details. If you tick 'No' it is possible that the Respondent will disagree, will tick 'Yes' file a C1A, and you may be considered as seeking to hide or denial domestic abuse within your family.

8 Social services
If there has been no formal Social Services involvement, write "no Social Services involvement". If unknown, write "not known". Otherwise, give the name of the social worker and his/her office address, and state whether the child has been on the Child Protection Register and if so, when.

9 The education and health of the child(ren)
Fill in the name of the school (if known) that the child attends and state whether the child is in good health, giving details (if any) of serious disability, ill-health, or special needs (in most cases "child in good health" is sufficient).

10 The parents of the child(ren)
Fill in the name of the child's father and mother and state whether they are or have been married to each other, and whether they currently live together. Give details (if known) of any previous court cases involving children.

11 The family of the child(ren) (other children)
Fill in the name, address, date of birth and relationship to the child (e.g. half-brother) of any other child of the family not previously mentioned.

12 Other adults
Fill in the name of any other adult living with the child, state whether they live there full-time and give details (if known) of any court case concerning a child in which they have been involved.

13 Your reason(s) for applying and any plans for the children
Briefly (keep it short) state your reasons for making the application (e.g. "I believe that it would benefit my children to have defined contact with me").

14 At the court
State whether you will need special facilities (e.g. interpreter) at court.

15 Parenting Information – Arrangements after Separation
Indicate by ticking the relevant boxes your answers to the 3 questions regarding parenting plans. If you have a plan that broke down give the most cursory ‘bullet-point’ of explanations as to why – do not go into great detail.

Sign and date the form, make a photocopy for your files, and take the original to the court office with your fee. The form is available from the Court Service website.

 

Updated 2 May, 2005