Legal Jargon

An order that makes an agreement between two parties legally binding, Consent orders can be made at court or in writing.

The Act of Parliament dealing with child-related matters, including orders that a court can make.

A court order that regulates where a child lives following the separation and divorce of their parents and what time they spend with each parent. Child arrangements orders are only made if there is a dispute between the parents that they cannot resolve between themselves. If there is no dispute, no order is required.

Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service. A service that is independent from the courts and undertakes a safeguarding check (including any previous police and social services involvement with the parties) prior to the first hearing. CAFCASS also provides information and advice as to the best interests of the children throughout proceedings, if required to do so. In Care proceedings, a CAFCASS officer will be the child’s court appointed guardian who looks after their interests from a legal perspective.

The person making the application to the court.

The process where a party applies to a higher Court to review and potentially reverse the decision of a lower Court where they have grounds to do so.

When a court hearing is cancelled and rescheduled to a later date.

A Court decision whereby one party in a case is ordered to pay the other’s legal fees.