Family court jargon buster

Plain-English meanings of the words you'll hear

Applicant / respondent: The applicant is the parent who started the case. The respondent is the other parent.
Bundle: The numbered set of documents used at a hearing. See Your court bundle.
C100: The form used to apply for a child arrangements, specific issue or prohibited steps order.
C1A: A form that goes with the C100 if either parent says there's been domestic abuse or other harm.
C2: A form used to make a new request in a case that's already going, for example to change the timetable.
C79: The form to ask the court to enforce a child arrangements order that isn't being followed.
Cafcass / Cafcass Cymru: The independent service that advises the family court about children's welfare. Cafcass Cymru covers Wales. See The Cafcass safeguarding call.
Child arrangements order (CAO): An order saying who a child lives with and spends time with. See Child arrangements orders explained.
Child Impact Report: An early report in Child Focused Court areas, describing how the dispute is affecting the child.
Child Focused Court (formerly Pathfinder): A newer way of running children cases, being rolled out across England and Wales. More work is done at the start to reduce the number of hearings.
Consent order: An order the court makes when both parents agree, and the court is satisfied it's safe and in the child's interests.
Contact centre: A safe, neutral place where children can spend time with a parent, sometimes supervised by staff.
Directions: Instructions from the court about what everyone must do and by when, such as filing statements.
DRA: Dispute Resolution Appointment. A hearing, usually after the section 7 report, to try to settle the case or prepare for a final hearing.
Exhibit: A document attached to a witness statement, such as messages or school reports.
Fact-finding hearing: A hearing where the court decides whether serious allegations, such as domestic abuse, are true, before deciding arrangements.
FHDRA: First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment. The first hearing in most children cases. See Your first hearing.
Final hearing: The hearing where evidence is heard, witnesses can be questioned, and the court makes a final decision.
Interim order: A temporary order that applies until the court makes a final decision.
Litigant in person (LiP): Someone representing themselves in court without a solicitor or barrister.
McKenzie friend: Someone who supports a litigant in person in court: taking notes, helping with papers and quietly giving advice. They can't usually speak for you unless the judge allows it.
MIAM: Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting. Usually required before applying to court. See MIAMs and mediation.
No order principle: The court only makes an order if doing so is better for the child than making no order at all.
Paramountcy principle: The child's welfare is the court's most important consideration.
Parental responsibility (PR): The legal rights and responsibilities of a parent, such as decisions about school and health.
PD12J: Practice Direction 12J. The rules the court must follow when there are allegations of domestic abuse.
Position statement: A short document setting out what you want and why, for a particular hearing. See Writing a position statement.
Prohibited steps order: An order stopping a parent from doing something, like taking a child abroad.
Qualified Legal Representative (QLR): A lawyer appointed by the court to ask questions for a parent who isn't allowed to question the other parent directly, for example where abuse is alleged.
Section 7 report: A welfare report on the children, ordered by the court. See Section 7 reports.
Safeguarding letter: Cafcass's letter to the court before the first hearing, covering police and local authority checks and initial conversations with each parent.
Special measures: Arrangements to help a vulnerable party give evidence, such as screens, separate waiting rooms or giving evidence by video.
Specific issue order: An order deciding one particular question the parents can't agree on, such as schooling.
Statement of truth: The signed declaration at the end of a witness statement confirming it's true. See Writing your witness statement.
Supervised contact: Time with a child where another adult, or contact centre staff, is present throughout.
Welfare checklist: The list in section 1(3) of the Children Act 1989 that the court must consider: (a) the child's wishes and feelings, in light of their age and understanding; (b) their physical, emotional and educational needs; (c) the likely effect of any change in circumstances; (d) their age, sex, background and relevant characteristics; (e) any harm they've suffered or are at risk of; (f) how capable each parent, and anyone else relevant, is of meeting their needs; and (g) the range of orders available to the court.

This guide is general information about private children cases in England and Wales, checked in October 2026. It isn't legal advice for your situation. Rules and fees change, and every case is different. If you're unsure, ask the court, or speak to a solicitor. Some parents qualify for legal aid, especially where there's domestic abuse.