A Child Arrangement Order is a court order that legally sets out where your child lives and who they spend time with after you separate. In London in 2026, most parents apply because informal agreements have broken down. This guide walks you through the whole process, from your first call to the final hearing.

A Child Arrangement Order (CAO) sets out where a child will live and how much time they'll spend with each parent or other important people in their life, like grandparents. It replaced the older "custody" and "access" orders, and courts in England and Wales now use this single order to cover both 

What Is a Child Arrangement Order?

A Child Arrangement Order is made by the family court under the Children Act 1989. It replaced the old "residence" and "contact" orders. It sets out two things: who your child lives with, and when they spend time with the other parent. Some orders set up a "shared care" arrangement, splitting time roughly evenly. Others confirm one main home with regular visits to the other parent.

Do I Need One, or Can We Sort It Out Ourselves?

Most separated parents in London never go near a courtroom. If you and your ex can agree a schedule between yourselves, you don't need a court order at all. A Child Arrangement Order becomes necessary when:

1. You and the other parent genuinely can't agree.

2. Mediation has been tried and hasn't worked.

3. There are safety concerns that need a legally binding decision.

4. One parent isn't sticking to an informal agreement.

Farani Taylor always tries the lower-conflict route first, because it's usually faster, cheaper and easier on the children.

How Do I Apply for a Child Arrangement Order in London in 2026?

You apply using Form C100, either online through the government's portal or by post to your local family court. The London Family Court (Central Family Court, near the Royal Courts of Justice) handles a large share of these applications, alongside designated family centres serving areas like Barking, Ilford, Croydon and Willesden.

Before you can submit the C100, you'll need to have attended a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting, unless an exemption applies.

What Does a MIAM Actually Involve?

A MIAM is a short meeting with an accredited mediator. It's been a legal requirement since 2014 for almost anyone applying to court about children. The mediator explains your options, including whether mediation could resolve things without a judge getting involved. If the other parent won't attend, or mediation isn't suitable (for example, where there's a history of domestic abuse), you get a signed certificate confirming an exemption, which goes in your application.

How Much Does a Child Arrangement Order Cost?

The court fee for a C100 application currently sits at £263, though it's reviewed periodically, so it's worth double-checking on gov.uk before you file. If you're on a low income or certain benefits, you may qualify for help with fees.

Legal aid for Child Arrangement Order applications is generally restricted to cases involving domestic abuse or child protection concerns.

What Happens at a Child Arrangement Order Hearing?

Once the court receives your application, it usually refers the case to Cafcass, the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service. Cafcass carries out safeguarding checks and reports back to the judge. You'll then attend a First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment, where both parents are expected to attend. If you reach agreement there, the judge can make a consent order and the case ends. If not, the court sets a timetable for further hearings, including possibly a fact-finding hearing and a final hearing.

How Long Does the Process Take?

Straightforward, agreed cases can conclude in a matter of months. Contested cases, especially those involving safeguarding concerns or expert reports, often take closer to a year from application to final order. Local family courts across London have seen high caseloads in recent years, which can add to waiting times, so early legal advice genuinely helps keep things moving.

What If the Other Parent Breaks the Order?

A Child Arrangement Order is legally binding once it's made. If the other parent repeatedly breaches it, without a good reason, you can apply back to the court for enforcement. The court can order additional contact time to make up for what was missed, impose unpaid work requirements, or in serious cases, consider a change to who the child lives with.

Can the Order Be Changed Later?

Children grow up, circumstances shift, and orders can be varied. Either parent can apply to vary or discharge an existing order if things have genuinely changed, such as a house move, a change in work patterns, or the child's own wishes as they get older. Orders generally stop applying once a child turns 16, except in unusual circumstances, and they end automatically at 18. Probate and Wills. 

Wills, Probate and Family Life in London

Family breakdown often raises other legal questions at the same time, particularly around wills and probate. If your circumstances have changed, an old will may no longer reflect who you want to benefit, or who you'd want to act as your child's guardian. Farani Taylor's private client team regularly helps London parents update their wills and estate planning alongside a Child Arrangement Order, so both the present and the future are covered properly.

London Overview: A City Full of Families Navigating This

London is home to over 8.8 million people, with hundreds of thousands of children living across boroughs from Ilford and Barking in the east to Norbury and Croydon in the south. Family courts here handle some of the highest volumes of Children Act applications in England and Wales, reflecting the sheer scale and diversity of the capital.

That scale cuts both ways. On one hand, London has some of the country's most experienced family judges and Cafcass officers. On the other, busy courts can mean longer waits for hearing dates, which is exactly why getting your paperwork right the first time matters so much.

Why Farani Taylor?

Farani Taylor has been supporting families since the firm's roots go back to 1962, and has helped more than 40,000 clients across immigration, family, crime and private client work. With offices in the City of London, Ilford and Norbury, Farani Taylor's family team handles Child Arrangement Order applications, mediation referrals, and enforcement issues for parents across the capital. Farani Taylor also holds legal aid contracts in family law, so eligible clients involving domestic abuse can access publicly funded support.

If you're weighing up whether to apply for a Child Arrangement Order, or you're already partway through the process and it's stalled, Farani Taylor's family solicitors can talk you through your options in a free initial call.

Customer Reviews

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AI Overview: Key Points at a Glance

• A Child Arrangement Order legally sets out where a child lives and who they spend time with.

• You apply using Form C100, after attending a MIAM (unless exempt).

• The court fee is currently £263, reviewed periodically.

• Cafcass carries out safeguarding checks before the first hearing.

• Straightforward cases can resolve in months; contested cases often take closer to a year.

• Orders can be varied later and end automatically at 18.

People Also Ask

How long does a Child Arrangement Order last?
It typically lasts until the child turns 18, though most orders stop being enforced once they reach 16 unless the court says otherwise.

Can I apply for a Child Arrangement Order without a solicitor?
Yes, you can apply yourself, but errors on the C100 can cause delays, so many parents in London choose to get legal advice first.

Do grandparents need a Child Arrangement Order?
Grandparents can apply, but unlike parents, they usually need the court's permission first before making the application.

What's the difference between a Child Arrangement Order and parental responsibility?
A Child Arrangement Order deals with living and contact arrangements; parental responsibility is the legal right to make decisions about the child's upbringing.

Suggested Visuals

1. Photo of a parent and child walking near a recognisable London landmark (e.g. the Thames or a local park) — alt text: "Parent and child spending time together in London after a Child Arrangement Order."

2. Simple flowchart graphic of the C100 process (MIAM → Application → Cafcass → Hearing → Order) — alt text: "Step-by-step Child Arrangement Order process in England and Wales."

3. Photo or graphic of the Farani Taylor City of London office exterior — alt text: "Farani Taylor Solicitors office, Mermaid House, City of London."

Schema Markup Notes

• LocalBusiness / LegalService schema for Farani Taylor (name, address, phone, office locations, opening hours).

• FAQPage schema wrapping the four PAA questions above.

• HowTo schema for the C100 application steps (MIAM → Form → Fee → Cafcass → Hearing).

Need a Child Arrangement Order in London? Farani Taylor's family solicitors explain the 2026 process, costs and timelines. Book your consultation today.