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 Respondent 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
