Court orders explained — every type of family court order
REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-29
The orders a family court can make
Family courts in England and Wales can make many different orders. This page explains each one in plain English, so you know what to ask for.
Children orders (Children Act 1989, s.8)
| Order | What it does | Form | |-------|-------------|------| | Child arrangements order | Sets out who the child lives with and/or spends time with | C100 | | Prohibited steps order | Prevents a specific action (e.g. taking the child abroad, changing school) | C100 | | Specific issue order | Decides a specific question (e.g. which school, medical treatment) | C100 |
Domestic abuse orders (Family Law Act 1996, Part IV)
| Order | What it does | Form | |-------|-------------|------| | Non-molestation order | Prohibits harassment, threats, contact, pestering | FL401 | | Occupation order | Regulates who lives in the family home; can exclude someone | FL401 | | FGM protection order | Protects a person at risk of FGM | Free, urgent applications possible |
Financial orders (Matrimonial Causes Act 1973)
| Order | What it does | Form | |-------|-------------|------| | Lump sum order | Orders one party to pay a fixed sum | Form A | | Property adjustment order | Orders transfer or sale of property | Form A | | Pension sharing order | Divides a pension between the parties | Form A | | Periodical payments (maintenance) | Orders ongoing monthly payments | Form A | | Clean break order | Ends all financial claims between the parties | With consent order |
Other orders
| Order | What it does | Form | |-------|-------------|------| | Consent order | Makes a private agreement legally binding | With D81 | | Special guardianship order | Gives a relative/friend overriding PR until 18 | Court-specific | | Family assistance order | Short-term CAFCASS support | Court's own motion | | Recovery order | Directs police to return a child | Court's own motion |
What to ask for
When you apply, be specific about what order you want. If you're not sure, apply for the most general order and let the court decide the detail — but always have a clear proposal in your position statement.
Official links
- Children orders: https://www.gov.uk/looking-after-children-divorce
- Domestic abuse orders: https://www.gov.uk/injunction-domestic-violence
- Financial orders: https://www.gov.uk/money-property-when-relationship-ends
This page is general information, not legal advice. YourFamilyCase.co.uk is an independent information directory and is not affiliated with HMCTS or gov.uk.
Content verified against the official HMCTS court directory, gov.uk forms and fees pages, and the professional body registers (SRA, FMC, Bar Council). Last reviewed September 2026.