Part II Orders With Respect To Children In Family Proceedings

General

I18F38Child arrangements orders and other orders with respect to children.

1

In this Act —

  • "F40child arrangements order" means an order regulating arrangements relating to any of the following—

    1. (a)

      with whom a child is to live, spend time or otherwise have contact, and

    2. (b)

      when a child is to live, spend time or otherwise have contact with any person;

  • F39...

  • a prohibited steps order” means an order that no step which could be taken by a parent in meeting his parental responsibility for a child, and which is of a kind specified in the order, shall be taken by any person without the consent of the court;

  • F39...

  • a specific issue order” means an order giving directions for the purpose of determining a specific question which has arisen, or which may arise, in connection with any aspect of parental responsibility for a child.

2

In this Act “a section 8 order” means any of the orders mentioned in subsection (1) and any order varying or discharging such an order.

3

For the purposes of this Act “family proceedings” means any proceedings—

a

under the inherent jurisdiction of the High Court in relation to children; and

b

under the enactments mentioned in subsection (4),

but does not include proceedings on an application for leave under section 100(3).

4

The enactments are—

a

Parts I, II and IV of this Act;

b

the M1Matrimonial Causes Act 1973;

F1ba

Schedule 5 to the Civil Partnership Act 2004;

F2c

the M2 Domestic Violence and Matrimonial Proceedings Act 1976;

d

the Adoption and Children Act 2002;

e

the M3Domestic Proceedings and Magistrates’ Courts Act 1978;

F3ea

Schedule 6 to the Civil Partnership Act 2004;

F2f

sections 1 and 9 of the M4 Matrimonial Homes Act 1983;

g

Part III of the M5Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984.

F4 h

the Family Law Act 1996

F5i

sections 11 and 12 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

I29 Restrictions on making section 8 orders.

1

No court shall make any section 8 order, other than a F44child arrangements order to which subsection (6B) applies, with respect to a child who is in the care of a local authority.

2

No application may be made by a local authority for a F45child arrangements order and no court shall make such an order in favour of a local authority.

3

A person who is, or was at any time within the last six months, a local authority foster parent of a child may not apply for leave to apply for a section 8 order with respect to the child unless—

a

he has the consent of the authority;

b

he is a relative of the child; or

c

the child has lived with him for at least F6one year preceding the application.

4

F7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5

No court shall exercise its powers to make a specific issue order or prohibited steps order—

a

with a view to achieving a result which could be achieved by making a F43child arrangements order F46 or an order under section 51A of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 (post-adoption contact); or

b

in any way which is denied to the High Court (by section 100(2)) in the exercise of its inherent jurisdiction with respect to children.

6

F8No court shall make a F42section 8 order which will end after the child has reached the age of sixteen unless it is satisfied that the circumstances of the case are exceptional.

F416A

Subsection (6) does not apply to a child arrangements order to which subsection (6B) applies.

6B

This subsection applies to a child arrangements order if the arrangements regulated by the order relate only to either or both of the following—

a

with whom the child concerned is to live, and

b

when the child is to live with any person.

7

No court shall make any section 8 order, other than one varying or discharging such an order, with respect to a child who has reached the age of sixteen unless it is satisfied that the circumstances of the case are exceptional.

I310 Power of court to make section 8 orders.

1

In any family proceedings in which a question arises with respect to the welfare of any child, the court may make a section 8 order with respect to the child if—

a

an application for the order has been made by a person who—

i

is entitled to apply for a section 8 order with respect to the child; or

ii

has obtained the leave of the court to make the application; or

b

the court considers that the order should be made even though no such application has been made.

2

The court may also make a section 8 order with respect to any child on the application of a person who—

a

is entitled to apply for a section 8 order with respect to the child; or

b

has obtained the leave of the court to make the application.

3

This section is subject to the restrictions imposed by section 9.

4

The following persons are entitled to apply to the court for any section 8 order with respect to a child—

a

any parent F9, guardian or special guardian of the child;

F10aa

any person who by virtue of section 4A has parental responsibility for the child;

F54b

any person who is named, in a child arrangements order that is in force with respect to the child, as a person with whom the child is to live.

5

The following persons are entitled to apply for a F52child arrangements order with respect to a child—

a

any party to a marriage (whether or not subsisting) in relation to whom the child is a child of the family;

F11aa

any civil partner in a civil partnership (whether or not subsisting) in relation to whom the child is a child of the family;

b

any person with whom the child has lived for a period of at least three years;

c

any person who—

F55i

in any case where a child arrangements order in force with respect to the child regulates arrangements relating to with whom the child is to live or when the child is to live with any person, has the consent of each of the persons named in the order as a person with whom the child is to live;

ii

in any case where the child is in the care of a local authority, has the consent of that authority; or

iii

in any other case, has the consent of each of those (if any) who have parental responsibility for the child.

F53d

any person who has parental responsibility for the child by virtue of provision made under section 12(2A).

F125A

A local authority foster parent is entitled to apply for a F49child arrangements order to which subsection (5C) applies with respect to a child if the child has lived with him for a period of at least one year immediately preceding the application.

F135B

A relative of a child is entitled to apply for a F50child arrangements order to which subsection (5C) applies with respect to the child if the child has lived with the relative for a period of at least one year immediately preceding the application.

F475C

This subsection applies to a child arrangements order if the arrangements regulated by the order relate only to either or both of the following—

a

with whom the child concerned is to live, and

b

when the child is to live with any person.

6

A person who would not otherwise be entitled (under the previous provisions of this section) to apply for the variation or discharge of a section 8 order shall be entitled to do so if—

a

the order was made on his application; or

b

in the case of a F56child arrangements order, he is named in F57provisions of the order regulating arrangements relating to—

i

with whom the child concerned is to spend time or otherwise have contact, or

ii

when the child is to spend time or otherwise have contact with any person.

7

Any person who falls within a category of person prescribed by rules of court is entitled to apply for any such section 8 order as may be prescribed in relation to that category of person.

F147A

If a special guardianship order is in force with respect to a child, an application for a F51child arrangements order to which subsection (7B) applies may only be made with respect to him, if apart from this subsection the leave of the court is not required, with such leave.

F487B

This subsection applies to a child arrangements order if the arrangements regulated by the order consist of, or include, arrangements which relate to either or both of the following—

a

with whom the child concerned is to live, and

b

when the child is to live with any person.

8

Where the person applying for leave to make an application for a section 8 order is the child concerned, the court may only grant leave if it is satisfied that he has sufficient understanding to make the proposed application for the section 8 order.

9

Where the person applying for leave to make an application for a section 8 order is not the child concerned, the court shall, in deciding whether or not to grant leave, have particular regard to—

a

the nature of the proposed application for the section 8 order;

b

the applicant’s connection with the child;

c

any risk there might be of that proposed application disrupting the child’s life to such an extent that he would be harmed by it; and

d

where the child is being looked after by a local authority—

i

the authority’s plans for the child’s future; and

ii

the wishes and feelings of the child’s parents.

10

The period of three years mentioned in subsection (5)(b) need not be continuous but must not have begun more than five years before, or ended more than three months before, the making of the application.

I411 General principles and supplementary provisions.

1

In proceedings in which any question of making a section 8 order, or any other question with respect to such an order, arises, the court shall (in the light of any F58provision in rules of court that is of the kind mentioned in subsection (2)(a) or (b))

a

draw up a timetable with a view to determining the question without delay; and

b

give such directions as it considers appropriate for the purpose of ensuring, so far as is reasonably practicable, that that timetable is adhered to.

2

Rules of court may—

a

specify periods within which specified steps must be taken in relation to proceedings in which such questions arise; and

b

make other provision with respect to such proceedings for the purpose of ensuring, so far as is reasonably practicable, that such questions are determined without delay.

C13

Where a court has power to make a section 8 order, it may do so at any time during the course of the proceedings in question even though it is not in a position to dispose finally of those proceedings.

F594

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5

Where—

a

a F60child arrangements order has been made with respect to a child; and

b

F61the child has two parents who each have parental responsibility for him,

theF62order, so far as it has the result that there are times when the child lives or is to live with one of the parents, shall cease to have effect if the parents live together for a continuous period of more than six months.

6

F63A child arrangements order made with respect to a child, so far as it provides for the child to spend time or otherwise have contact with one of the child's parents at times when the child is living with the child's other parent, shall cease to have effect if the parents live together for a continuous period of more than six months.

7

A section 8 order may—

a

contain directions about how it is to be carried into effect;

b

impose conditions which must be complied with by any person—

F64i

who is named in the order as a person with whom the child concerned is to live, spend time or otherwise have contact;

ii

who is a parent of the child F65...;

iii

who is not a parent of his but who has parental responsibility for him; or

iv

with whom the child is living,

and to whom the conditions are expressed to apply;

c

be made to have effect for a specified period, or contain provisions which are to have effect for a specified period;

d

make such incidental, supplemental or consequential provision as the court thinks fit.

11AF76F21... Activity directions

F661

Subsection (2) applies in proceedings in which the court is considering whether to make provision about one or more of the matters mentioned in subsection (1A) by making—

a

a child arrangements order with respect to the child concerned, or

b

an order varying or discharging a child arrangements order with respect to the child concerned.

1A

The matters mentioned in this subsection are—

a

with whom a child is to live,

b

when a child is to live with any person,

c

with whom a child is to spend time or otherwise have contact, and

d

when a child is to spend time or otherwise have contact with any person.

2

The court may make an activity direction in connection with the provision that the court is considering whether to make.

2A

Subsection (2B) applies in proceedings in which subsection (2) does not apply and in which the court is considering—

a

whether a person has failed to comply with a provision of a child arrangements order, or

b

what steps to take in consequence of a person's failure to comply with a provision of a child arrangements order.

2B

The court may make an activity direction in connection with that provision of the child arrangements order.

3

An activity direction is a direction requiring an individual who is a party to the proceedings concerned to take part in an activity that would, in the court's opinion, help to establish, maintain or improve the involvement in the life of the child concerned of—

a

that individual, or

b

another individual who is a party to the proceedings.

4

The direction is to specify the activity and the person providing the activity.

5

The activities that may be so required include, in particular—

a

programmes, classes and counselling or guidance sessions of a kind that—

i

may assist a person as regards establishing, maintaining or improving F68involvement in a child's life;

ii

may, by addressing a person's violent behaviour, enable or facilitate F69involvement in a child's life;

b

sessions in which information or advice is given as regards making or operating arrangements for F70involvement in a child's life, including making arrangements by means of mediation.

6

No individual may be required by F71an activity direction—

a

to undergo medical or psychiatric examination, assessment or treatment;

b

to take part in mediation.

7

A court may not on the same occasion—

a

make F72an activity direction under subsection (2) , and

b

dispose finally of the proceedings as they relate to F73the matters mentioned in subsection (1A) in connection with which the activity direction is made.

8

F74Each of subsections (2) and (2B) has effect subject to the restrictions in sections 11B and 11E.

9

In considering whether to make F75anactivity direction, the welfare of the child concerned is to be the court's paramount consideration.

F677A

A court may not on the same occasion—

a

make an activity direction under subsection (2B), and

b

dispose finally of the proceedings as they relate to failure to comply with the provision in connection with which the activity direction is made.

11BF85F22... Activity directions: further provision

1

A court may not make F77an activity direction under section 11A(2) in connection with any matter mentioned in section 11A(1A) unless there is a dispute as regards the provision F78about that matter that the court is considering whether to make in the proceedings.

2

A court may not make F79an activity direction requiring an individual who is a child to take part in an activity unless the individual is a parent of the child in relation to whom the court is considering provision F80about a matter mentioned in section 11A(1A).

3

A court may not make F81an activity activity direction in connection with the making, variation or discharge of a F82child arrangements order , if theF82child arrangements order is, or would if made be, an excepted order.

4

A F83child arrangements order with respect to a child is an excepted order if—

a

it is made in proceedings that include proceedings on an application for a relevant adoption order in respect of the child; or

b

it makes provision as regards contact between the child and a person who would be a parent or relative of the child but for the child's adoption by an order falling within subsection (5).

5

An order falls within this subsection if it is—

a

a relevant adoption order;

b

an adoption order, within the meaning of section 72(1) of the Adoption Act 1976, other than an order made by virtue of section 14 of that Act on the application of a married couple one of whom is the mother or the father of the child;

c

a Scottish adoption order, within the meaning of the Adoption and Children Act 2002, other than an order made—

i

by virtue of section 14 of the Adoption (Scotland) Act 1978 on the application of a married couple one of whom is the mother or the father of the child, or

ii

by virtue of section 15(1)(aa) of that Act; or

F37iii

by virtue of an application under section   30 of the Adoption and Children (Scotland) Act 2007 where subsection   (3) of that section applies; or

d

a Northern Irish adoption order, within the meaning of the Adoption and Children Act 2002, other than an order made by virtue of Article 14 of the Adoption (Northern Ireland) Order 1987 on the application of a married couple one of whom is the mother or the father of the child.

6

A relevant adoption order is an adoption order, within the meaning of section 46(1) of the Adoption and Children Act 2002, other than an order made—

a

on an application under section 50 of that Act by a couple (within the meaning of that Act) one of whom is the mother or the father of the person to be adopted, or

b

on an application under section 51(2) of that Act.

7

A court may not make F84an activity direction in relation to an individual unless the individual is habitually resident in England and Wales; and a direction ceases to have effect if the individual subject to the direction ceases to be habitually resident in England and Wales.

11CF23F86... Activity conditions

1

This section applies if in any family proceedings the court makes—

F87a

a child arrangements order containing—

i

provision for a child to live with different persons at different times,

ii

provision regulating arrangements relating to with whom a child is to spend time or otherwise have contact, or

iii

provision regulating arrangements relating to when a child is to spend time or otherwise have contact with any person; or

b

an order varying a child arrangements order so as to add, vary or omit provision of a kind mentioned in paragraph (a)(i), (ii) or (iii).

2

The F88child arrangements order may impose, or the F88child arrangements order may be varied so as to impose, a condition F89(an “activity condition”) requiring an individual falling within subsection (3) to take part in an activity that F90would, in the court's opinion, help to establish, maintain or improve the involvement in the life of the child concerned of—

a

that individual, or

b

another individual who is a party to the proceedings.

3

An individual falls within this subsection if he is—

a

for the purposes of the F91child arrangements order so made or varied, F92a person with whom the child concerned lives or is to live;

b

F93a person whose contact with the child concerned is provided for in that order; or

c

a person upon whom that order imposes a condition under section 11(7)(b).

4

The condition is to specify the activity and the person providing the activity.

5

Subsections (5) and (6) of section 11A have effect as regards the activities that may be required by F94an activity condition as they have effect as regards the activities that may be required by F94an activity direction.

6

Subsection (2) has effect subject to the restrictions in sections 11D and 11E.

11DF24F95... Activity conditions: further provision

1

A F96child arrangements order may not impose F97an activity condition on an individual who is a child unless the individual is a parent of the child concerned.

2

If a F98child arrangements order is an excepted order (within the meaning given by section 11B(4)), it may not impose (and it may not be varied so as to impose) a F99an activity condition.

3

A F100child arrangements order may not impose F101an activity condition on an individual unless the individual is habitually resident in England and Wales; and a condition ceases to have effect if the individual subject to the condition ceases to be habitually resident in England and Wales.

11EF102F25...Activity directions and conditions: making

1

Before making F103an activity direction (or imposing F103an activity condition by means of a F104child arrangements order ), the court must satisfy itself as to the matters falling within subsections (2) to (4).

2

The first matter is that the activity proposed to be specified is appropriate in the circumstances of the case.

3

The second matter is that the person proposed to be specified as the provider of the activity is suitable to provide the activity.

4

The third matter is that the activity proposed to be specified is provided in a place to which the individual who would be subject to the direction (or the condition) can reasonably be expected to travel.

5

Before making such a direction (or such an order), the court must obtain and consider information about the individual who would be subject to the direction (or the condition) and the likely effect of the direction (or the condition) on him.

6

Information about the likely effect of the direction (or the condition) may, in particular, include information as to—

a

any conflict with the individual's religious beliefs;

b

any interference with the times (if any) at which he normally works or attends an educational establishment.

7

The court may ask an officer of the Service or a Welsh family proceedings officer to provide the court with information as to the matters in subsections (2) to (5); and it shall be the duty of the officer of the Service or Welsh family proceedings officer to comply with any such request.

8

In this section “ specified ” means specified in F105an activity direction (or in F105an activity condition).

11FF26F106... Activity directions and conditions: financial assistance

1

The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision authorising him to make payments to assist individuals falling within subsection (2) in paying relevant charges or fees.

2

An individual falls within this subsection if he is required by F107an activity direction or condition to take part in an activity that F108is expected to help to establish, maintain or improve the involvement of that or another individual in the life of a child, not being a child ordinarily resident in Wales.

3

The National Assembly for Wales may by regulations make provision authorising it to make payments to assist individuals falling within subsection (4) in paying relevant charges or fees.

4

An individual falls within this subsection if he is required by F107an activity direction or condition to take part in an activity that F109is expected to help to establish, maintain or improve the involvement of that or another individual in the life of a child who is ordinarily resident in Wales.

5

A relevant charge or fee, in relation to an activity required by F107an activity direction or condition, is a charge or fee in respect of the activity payable to the person providing the activity.

6

Regulations under this section may provide that no assistance is available to an individual unless—

a

the individual satisfies such conditions as regards his financial resources as may be set out in the regulations;

b

the activity in which the individual is required by F107an activity direction or condition to take part is provided to him in England or Wales;

c

where the activity in which the individual is required to take part is provided to him in England, it is provided by a person who is for the time being approved by the Secretary of State as a provider of activities required by F107an activity direction or condition;

d

where the activity in which the individual is required to take part is provided to him in Wales, it is provided by a person who is for the time being approved by the National Assembly for Wales as a provider of activities required by a F107an activity direction or condition.

7

Regulations under this section may make provision—

a

as to the maximum amount of assistance that may be paid to or in respect of an individual as regards an activity in which he is required by a F107an activity direction or condition to take part;

b

where the amount may vary according to an individual's financial resources, as to the method by which the amount is to be determined;

c

authorising payments by way of assistance to be made directly to persons providing activities required by F107an activity direction or condition.

11GF110F27... Activity directions and conditions: monitoring

1

This section applies if in any family proceedings the court—

a

makes F111an activity direction in relation to an individual, or

b

makes a F112child arrangements order that imposes, or varies a F112child arrangements order so as to impose, F111an activity condition on an individual.

2

The court may on making the direction (or imposing the condition by means of a F113child arrangements order ) ask an officer of the Service or a Welsh family proceedings officer—

a

to monitor, or arrange for the monitoring of, the individual's compliance with the direction (or the condition);

b

to report to the court on any failure by the individual to comply with the direction (or the condition).

3

It shall be the duty of the officer of the Service or Welsh family proceedings officer to comply with any request under subsection (2).

11HF28Monitoring contact F114and shared residence

1

This section applies if in any family proceedings the court makes—

F115a

a child arrangements order containing provision of a kind mentioned in section 11C(1)(a)(i), (ii) or (iii), or

b

an order varying a child arrangements order so as to add, vary or omit provision of any of those kinds.

2

The court may ask an officer of the Service or a Welsh family proceedings officer—

a

to monitor whether an individual falling within subsection (3) complies with F116each provision of any of those kinds that is contained in the child arrangements order (or in the child arrangements order as varied);

b

to report to the court on such matters relating to the individual's compliance as the court may specify in the request.

3

An individual falls within this subsection if the F117child arrangements order so made (or the F117child arrangements order as so varied)—

F118za

provides for the child concerned to live with different persons at different times and names the individual as one of those persons;

a

imposes requirements on the individual with regard to the child concerned spending time or otherwise having contact with some other person;

b

names the individual as a person with whom the child concerned is to spend time or otherwise have contact; or

4

If the F119child arrangements order (or the F119child arrangements order as varied) includes F120an activity condition, a request under subsection (2) is to be treated as relating to the provisions of the order other than F121the activity condition.

5

The court may make a request under subsection (2)—

a

on making the F122child arrangements order(or the order varying the F122child arrangements order), or

b

at any time during the subsequent course of the proceedings as they relate to contact with the child concerned F123or to the child's living arrangements.

6

In making a request under subsection (2), the court is to specify the period for which the officer of the Service or Welsh family proceedings officer is to monitor compliance with the order; and the period specified may not exceed twelve months.

7

It shall be the duty of the officer of the Service or Welsh family proceedings officer to comply with any request under subsection (2).

8

The court may order any individual falling within subsection (3) to take such steps as may be specified in the order with a view to enabling the officer of the Service or Welsh family proceedings officer to comply with the court's request under subsection (2).

9

But the court may not make an order under subsection (8) with respect to an individual who is a child unless he is a parent of the child with respect to whom the order falling within subsection (1) was made.

10

A court may not make a request under subsection (2) in relation to a F124child arrangements order that is an excepted order (within the meaning given by section 11B(4)).

11IF29F125Child arrangements orders: warning notices

Where the court makes (or varies) a F126child arrangements order, it is to attach to the F126child arrangements order (or the order varying the contact order) a notice warning of the consequences of failing to comply with the F126child arrangements order.

11JF30Enforcement orders

1

This section applies if a F128child arrangements with respect to a child has been made.

2

If the court is satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that a person has failed to comply with F129a provision of the child arrangements order, it may make an order (an “enforcement order”) imposing on the person an unpaid work requirement.

3

But the court may not make an enforcement order if it is satisfied that the person had a reasonable excuse for failing to comply with the F130provision .

4

The burden of proof as to the matter mentioned in subsection (3) lies on the person claiming to have had a reasonable excuse, and the standard of proof is the balance of probabilities.

5

The court may make an enforcement order in relation to the F131child arrangements order only on the application of—

a

F132a person who is, for the purposes of the F131child arrangements order , the person with whom the child concerned lives or is to live;

b

F133a person whose contact with the child concerned is provided for in the F131child arrangements order ;

c

any individual subject to a condition under section 11(7)(b) or F134an activity condition imposed by the F131child arrangements order ; or

d

the child concerned.

6

Where the person proposing to apply for an enforcement order in relation to a F135child arrangements order is the child concerned, the child must obtain the leave of the court before making such an application.

7

The court may grant leave to the child concerned only if it is satisfied that he has sufficient understanding to make the proposed application.

8

Subsection (2) has effect subject to the restrictions in sections 11K and 11L.

9

The court may suspend an enforcement order for such period as it thinks fit.

10

Nothing in this section prevents a court from making more than one enforcement order in relation to the same person on the same occasion.

11

Proceedings in which any question of making an enforcement order, or any other question with respect to such an order, arises are to be regarded for the purposes of section 11(1) and (2) as proceedings in which a question arises with respect to a section 8 order.

12

In Schedule A1—

a

Part 1 makes provision as regards an unpaid work requirement;

b

Part 2 makes provision in relation to the revocation and amendment of enforcement orders and failure to comply with such orders.

F12713

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

11KF31Enforcement orders: further provision

1

A court may not make an enforcement order against a person in respect of a failure to comply with a F136provision of a child arrangements order unless it is satisfied that before the failure occurred the person had been given (in accordance with rules of court) a copy of, or otherwise informed of the terms of—

a

in the case of a failure to comply with F137a provision of a child arrangements order where the order was varied before the failure occurred, a notice under section 11I relating to the order varying F138the child arrangements order or, where more than one such order has been made, the last order preceding the failure in question;

b

in any other case, a notice under section 11I relating to the F139child arrangements order.

2

A court may not make an enforcement order against a person in respect of any failure to comply with a F140provision of a child arrangementsorder occurring before the person attained the age of 18.

3

A court may not make an enforcement order against a person in respect of a failure to comply with a F141provision of a child arrangements order where the child arrangements order is an excepted order (within the meaning given by section 11B(4)).

4

A court may not make an enforcement order against a person unless the person is habitually resident in England and Wales; and an enforcement order ceases to have effect if the person subject to the order ceases to be habitually resident in England and Wales.

11LF32Enforcement orders: making

1

Before making an enforcement order as regards a person in breach of F142a provision of a child arrangements order, the court must be satisfied that—

a

making the enforcement order proposed is necessary to secure the person's compliance with theF143child arrangements order or any F143child arrangements order that has effect in its place;

b

the likely effect on the person of the enforcement order proposed to be made is proportionate to the seriousness of the breach F144....

2

Before making an enforcement order, the court must satisfy itself that provision for the person to work under an unpaid work requirement imposed by an enforcement order can be made in the local justice area in which the person in breach resides or will reside.

3

Before making an enforcement order as regards a person in breach of a F145provision of a child arrangements order, the court must obtain and consider information about the person and the likely effect of the enforcement order on him.

4

Information about the likely effect of the enforcement order may, in particular, include information as to—

a

any conflict with the person's religious beliefs;

b

any interference with the times (if any) at which he normally works or attends an educational establishment.

5

A court that proposes to make an enforcement order may ask an officer of the Service or a Welsh family proceedings officer to provide the court with information as to the matters in subsections (2) and (3).

6

It shall be the duty of the officer of the Service or Welsh family proceedings officer to comply with any request under this section.

7

In making an enforcement order in relation to a F146child arrangements order, a court must take into account the welfare of the child who is the subject of the contact order.

11MF33Enforcement orders: monitoring

1

On making an enforcement order in relation to a person, the court is to ask an officer of the Service or a Welsh family proceedings officer—

a

to monitor, or arrange for the monitoring of, the person's compliance with the unpaid work requirement imposed by the order;

b

to report to the court if a report under paragraph 8 of Schedule A1 is made in relation to the person;

c

to report to the court on such other matters relating to the person's compliance as may be specified in the request;

d

to report to the court if the person is, or becomes, unsuitable to perform work under the requirement.

2

It shall be the duty of the officer of the Service or Welsh family proceedings officer to comply with any request under this section.

11NF34Enforcement orders: warning notices

Where the court makes an enforcement order, it is to attach to the order a notice warning of the consequences of failing to comply with the order.

11OF35Compensation for financial loss

1

This section applies if a F147child arrangements order with respect to a child has been made.

2

If the court is satisfied that—

a

an individual has failed to comply with F148a provision of the child arrangements order, and

b

a person falling within subsection (6) has suffered financial loss by reason of the breach,

it may make an order requiring the individual in breach to pay the person compensation in respect of his financial loss.

3

But the court may not make an order under subsection (2) if it is satisfied that the individual in breach had a reasonable excuse for failing to comply with the F149particular provision of the child arrangements order.

4

The burden of proof as to the matter mentioned in subsection (3) lies on the individual claiming to have had a reasonable excuse.

5

An order under subsection (2) may be made only on an application by the person who claims to have suffered financial loss.

6

A person falls within this subsection if he is—

a

F151a person who is, for the purposes of the F150child arrangements order, F151a person with whom the child concerned lives or is to live;

b

F152a person whose contact with the child concerned is provided for in the F150child arrangements order;

c

an individual subject to a condition under section 11(7)(b) or F153an activity condition imposed by the contact order; or

d

the child concerned.

7

Where the person proposing to apply for an order under subsection (2) is the child concerned, the child must obtain the leave of the court before making such an application.

8

The court may grant leave to the child concerned only if it is satisfied that he has sufficient understanding to make the proposed application.

9

The amount of compensation is to be determined by the court, but may not exceed the amount of the applicant's financial loss.

10

In determining the amount of compensation payable by the individual in breach, the court must take into account the individual's financial circumstances.

11

An amount ordered to be paid as compensation may be recovered by the applicant as a civil debt due to him.

12

Subsection (2) has effect subject to the restrictions in section 11P.

13

Proceedings in which any question of making an order under subsection (2) arises are to be regarded for the purposes of section 11(1) and (2) as proceedings in which a question arises with respect to a section 8 order.

14

In exercising its powers under this section, a court is to take into account the welfare of the child concerned.

11PF36Orders under section 11O(2): further provision

1

A court may not make an order under section 11O(2) requiring an individual to pay compensation in respect of a failure by him to comply with a F154provision of a child arrangements order unless it is satisfied that before the failure occurred the individual had been given (in accordance with rules of court) a copy of, or otherwise informed of the terms of—

a

in the case of a failure to comply with F155 a provision of a child arrangements order where the orderwas varied before the failure occurred, a notice under section 11I relating to the order varying F156the child arrangements order or, where more than one such order has been made, the last order preceding the failure in question;

b

in any other case, a notice under section 11I relating to the F157child arrangements order.

2

A court may not make an order under section 11O(2) requiring an individual to pay compensation in respect of a failure by him to comply with a F158provision of a child arrangements order where the failure occurred before the individual attained the age of 18.

3

A court may not make an order under section 11O(2) requiring an individual to pay compensation in respect of a failure by him to comply with a F159provision of a child arrangements order where the child arrangements order is an excepted order (within the meaning given by section 11B(4)).

I512F161Child arrangements orders and parental responsibility.

F1631

Where—

a

the court makes a child arrangements order with respect to a child,

b

the father of the child, or a woman who is a parent of the child by virtue of section 43 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008, is named in the order as a person with whom the child is to live, and

c

the father, or the woman, would not otherwise have parental responsibility for the child,

the court must also make an order under section 4 giving the father, or under section 4ZA giving the woman, that responsibility.

1A

Where—

a

the court makes a child arrangements order with respect to a child,

b

the father of the child, or a woman who is a parent of the child by virtue of section 43 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008, is named in the order as a person with whom the child is to spend time or otherwise have contact but is not named in the order as a person with whom the child is to live, and

c

the father, or the woman, would not otherwise have parental responsibility for the child,

the court must decide whether it would be appropriate, in view of the provision made in the order with respect to the father or the woman, for him or her to have parental responsibility for the child and, if it decides that it would be appropriate for the father or the woman to have that responsibility, must also make an order under section 4 giving him, or under section 4ZA giving her, that responsibility.

2

Where the court makes a F167child arrangements order and a person who is not a parent or guardian of the child concerned F168 is named in the order as a person with whom the child is to live, that person shall have parental responsibility for the child while the F169order remains in force so far as providing for the child to live with that person.

F1602A

Where the court makes a child arrangements order and—

a

a person who is not the parent or guardian of the child concerned is named in the order as a person with whom the child is to spend time or otherwise have contact, but

b

the person is not named in the order as a person with whom the child is to live,

the court may provide in the order for the person to have parental responsibility for the child while paragraphs (a) and (b) continue to be met in the person's case.

3

Where a person has parental responsibility for a child as a result of subsection (2) F162or (2A) , he shall not have the right—

a

F15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

b

to agree, or refuse to agree, to the making of an adoption order, or an order under F16section 84 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002, with respect to the child; or

c

to appoint a guardian for the child.

4

Where subsection (1) F164... requires the court to make an order under section 4 F17or 4ZAF165in respect of aF18parent of a child, the court shall not bring that order to an end at any time while the F166child arrangements order concerned remains in force so far as providing for the child to live with that parent.

5

F19. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6

F20. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I613 Change of child’s name or removal from jurisdiction.

1

Where a F170child arrangements order to which subsection (4) applies is in force with respect to a child, no person may—

a

cause the child to be known by a new surname; or

b

remove him from the United Kingdom;

without either the written consent of every person who has parental responsibility for the child or the leave of the court.

2

Subsection (1)(b) does not prevent the removal of a child, for a period of less than one month, by F171a person named in the child arrangements order as a person with whom the child is to live .

3

In making a F172child arrangements order to which subsection (4) applies, the court may grant the leave required by subsection (1)(b), either generally or for specified purposes.

F1734

This subsection applies to a child arrangements order if the arrangements regulated by the order consist of, or include, arrangements which relate to either or both of the following—

a

with whom the child concerned is to live, and

b

when the child is to live with any person.

F17414 Enforcement of residence orders.

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