Responding to a C100 application — a respondent's survival guide

You have been served with a C100 — an application for child arrangements, a specific

issue or a prohibited steps order. What you do in the first two weeks sets the tone for

the whole case. This guide explains the sequence, the deadlines and what actually

matters to the court.

REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-31

What the C100 is

Form C100 is how someone asks the Family Court to decide arrangements for a child, or to stop or permit something (a prohibited steps or specific issue order). When it is issued, the court sends you:

The application itself — read every paragraph; this is what you are answering
Any supporting statement or exhibits the applicant filed
A notice of the first hearing (the FHDRA — First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment), usually 3–6 weeks ahead
Cafcass safeguarding information will follow separately

Do not ignore it. If you do nothing, the court can make orders in your absence based only on the applicant's account.

Step 1 — safeguarding checks

Cafcass (in most areas) carries out safeguarding checks with the police and local authority children's services and usually speaks briefly to both parents. They produce a safeguarding letter before the first hearing recommending whether the court needs a risk assessment (a section 7 report) or extra directions. Be contactable and be factual when they call — this letter shapes the first hearing.

Step 2 — file a response

You should file a response (often called an answer or, in practice, a short position statement) before the first hearing. Courts frequently give a deadline; if none is given, file it at least a few days before the hearing and send a copy to the applicant. Keep it:

Short — 1–2 pages. The judge reads it in minutes
Factual — dates, events, agreements already reached
Structured — what you agree with in the application, what you disagree with and why, and what arrangements you propose
Forward-looking — courts care about workable future arrangements, not a history of the breakup

You do not have to answer every grievance. Pick the points that matter for the child's welfare.

Step 3 — prepare for the FHDRA

The first hearing is about narrowing issues and agreeing what can be agreed, not a full trial. The judge (or legal adviser) usually tries to promote agreement with a Cafcass officer's help. Anything agreed can be recorded as an order. Prepare:

A one-page position statement
Your realistic proposal for arrangements (including what you would accept)
Dates you cannot attend, school events, and practical constraints

If no agreement is reached, the court makes directions: usually a section 7 Cafcass report, sometimes a fact-finding hearing if there are serious allegations, then a Dispute Resolution Appointment before any final hearing. See our guides on the Child Arrangements Programme and fact-finding hearings.

If there are allegations against you

Take allegations seriously but do not panic — an allegation is a claim, not a finding
The court will only consider allegations at a fact-finding hearing if the practice direction (PD12J) criteria are met; otherwise the case proceeds on welfare
Never contact the applicant to "clear things up" outside what the court allows
Collect objective evidence: messages in context, school/medical records, your own log of events with dates
Consider whether mediation offers (or refusals) are documented — courts notice willingness

If you agree with the application

You can simply consent. Attend the FHDRA, tell the court you agree, and an order can be made immediately — saving months. You can also agree to part and ask the court to list the rest for directions.

Practical points respondents miss

Update your address with the court — you can ask for some contact details to be withheld if there are safety concerns
Childcare of the child now matters: the status quo before proceedings is relevant evidence
Keep communicating with the other parent in writing where possible; courts value parents who try
Apply for special measures (separate entrance, screens, video link) early if you feel intimidated
Do not take the child abroad, change their school, or change their surname while proceedings are live without consent or a court order
Costs: in children cases, parties normally pay their own costs even if you "win" — but unreasonable conduct can lead to a costs order against you

Timeline in brief

| Stage | Typical timing | |---|---| | Service of C100 | Day 0 | | Cafcass safeguarding checks | 1–3 weeks | | FHDRA (first hearing) | 3–6 weeks | | Section 7 report (if directed) | 8–16 weeks | | DRA / final hearing | 4–9 months+ |

Official links

C100 form and notes: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/family-court-forms
Child arrangements applications (gov.uk): https://www.gov.uk/child-arrangements-after-divorce
Family Procedure Rules / Child Arrangements Programme: https://www.justice.gov.uk/courts/procedure-rules/family
Cafcass: https://www.cafcass.gov.uk
Children Act 1989: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1989/41

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.