Enforcing a family court order — what to do when the other side ignores it

REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-27

The principle

A family court order is binding. If the other party ignores a child arrangements order, a financial order, or a non-molestation order, the court that made it can enforce it. Enforcement is a separate application — you go back to the same court with evidence of the breach.

Before you apply

1. Keep records — dates, messages, missed handovers, unpaid sums. Enforcement turns on proof. 2. Check the order — does it contain a penal notice (the warning on the back that breach may be contempt of court)? Most enforcement applications rely on it. 3. Try communication (if safe) — sometimes orders are breached by misunderstanding; a short, factual message can fix it without court. Never chase an abusive ex about breach personally — route it via your solicitor or the court.

Enforcement routes by order type

Child arrangements orders — enforcement application; the court can vary the order, refer parents to a Separated Parents Information Programme (SPIP), impose unpaid work, or (rarely, for serious/contumelious breach) commit to prison for contempt
Financial orders — attachment of earnings, charging orders, third-party debt orders, lump-sum enforcement through the county court; see our financial remedy guide
Non-molestation orders — breach is a criminal offence; call 999/101 and report it (also contempt, but prosecution usually takes priority)

How to apply

Use the enforcement application form for your order type (gov.uk forms pages, linked from our court guides)
Fee may apply (check help-with-fees eligibility — see our HMCTS fees page)
The court lists an enforcement hearing; both sides attend and give evidence

Realistic expectations

Courts are cautious about imprisonment; they prefer measures that restore compliance and serve the child's welfare. Persistent, evidenced breach is taken seriously — but so is a genuine change of circumstance. Keep the child out of it entirely.

Official links

https://www.gov.uk/child-arrangements-if-you-divorce (compliance & enforcement section)
https://www.gov.uk/make-court-claim-for-money (money enforcement)

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.