Search Legislation

Children Act 1989

 Help about what version

What Version

 Help about advanced features

Advanced Features

 Help about opening options

Opening OptionsExpand opening options

Changes over time for: Section 11

 Help about opening options

Changes to legislation:

Children Act 1989, Section 11 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 05 March 2025. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations. Help about Changes to Legislation

11 General principles and supplementary provisions.E+W

(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 [F1provision 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.

(3)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.

F2(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5)Where—

(a)a [F3child arrangements] order has been made with respect to a child; and

(b)[F4the child has] two parents who each have parental responsibility for him,

the[F5order, 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)[F6A 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—

[F7(i)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 F8...;

(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.

Textual Amendments

F1Words in s. 11(1) substituted (22.4.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), ss. 14(5), 139(6); S.I. 2014/889, art. 4(c) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2014/1042, arts. 3, 4, 6-10)

F2S. 11(4) omitted (22.4.2014) by virtue of Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 2 para. 6(2); S.I. 2014/889, art. 4(f) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2014/1042, arts. 3, 4, 6-10)

F3Words in s. 11(5)(a) substituted (22.4.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 2 para. 6(3)(a); S.I. 2014/889, art. 4(f) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2014/1042, arts. 3, 4, 6-10)

F4Words in s. 11(5)(b) substituted (22.4.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 2 para. 6(3)(b); S.I. 2014/889, art. 4(f) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2014/1042, arts. 3, 4, 6-10)

F5Words in s. 11(5)(b) substituted (22.4.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 2 para. 6(3)(c); S.I. 2014/889, art. 4(f) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2014/1042, arts. 3, 4, 6-10)

F6Words in s. 11(6) substituted (22.4.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 2 para. 6(4); S.I. 2014/889, art. 4(f) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2014/1042, arts. 3, 4, 6-10)

F7S. 11(7)(b)(i) substituted (22.4.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 2 para. 6(5)(a); S.I. 2014/889, art. 4(f) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2014/1042, arts. 3, 4, 6-10)

F8Word in s. 11(7)(b)(ii) omiited (22.4.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 2 para. 6(5)(b); S.I. 2014/889, art. 4(f) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2014/1042, arts. 3, 4, 6-10)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1S. 11(3) restricted (14. 10. 1991) by S.I. 1991/1395, r.28

Commencement Information

I1S. 11 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

Back to top

Options/Help

You have chosen to open The Whole Act without Schedules

The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open The Whole Act without Schedules as a PDF

The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.

Would you like to continue?