Varying or discharging an existing order at the family court in Tyne and Wear
REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-09-02
How this application works
Orders are not set in stone: when circumstances materially change — a parent relocates, a child's needs change with age, an order no longer works in practice — either party can ask the court to vary (change) or discharge (end) it. Applications are made on form D11, attaching the existing order and explaining precisely what has changed and what new order is sought. The child's welfare remains the court's paramount consideration; a material change of circumstances is what opens the door.
- Form: D11 — gov.uk
- Fee: £195 (application notice, D11) — Help with Fees (EX160) if on a low income
- Where to file: Newcastle Civil and Family Courts and Tribunals Centre, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE1 8QF
- Our full guide to Newcastle Civil and Family Courts and Tribunals Centre
What happens after you file
1. File the D11 with the existing order and your evidence of change. 2. The court may determine the application on paper or list a hearing. 3. If granted, the new order replaces the old one — keep certified copies.
Getting help in Tyne and Wear
- Support services in Tyne and Wear
- Finding a solicitor near Tyne and Wear
- Finding a mediator near Tyne and Wear
Related guides
General information only — not legal advice. Fees per SI 2026/642 (in force 13 July 2026); confirm the current fee on the gov.uk form page before filing. Source: gov.uk, HMCTS.
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.