In family law, a C2 form is used in England and Wales to request permission from the court regarding child arrangements.
It’s relevant in proceedings under the Children Act 1989, which could involve matters like child custody, visitation rights, or parental responsibility.
What can a C2 document be used for
A C2 form may be used during three different scenarios relating to child arrangements. These are:
- To seek approval to make an application
A person who has a significant relationship with a child but is not automatically entitled to make an application regarding child arrangements must use a C2 form to get the court’s permission to apply. This could apply to a grandparent or close relative and ensures that only appropriate parties are involved in the proceedings to safeguard the child’s best interests.
- To request an order or directions in existing proceedings
If circumstances or information regarding an ongoing family law case change, then a C2 form can be used to request a new order or amend an existing one. This could include requests for specific visitation schedules, changes to parental responsibilities, or the temporary removal of a child from a potentially harmful situation.
- To add or remove someone from an application
As the case unfolds, it might become necessary to change who is involved in a child arrangement case. A C2 form can be used to apply to join an ongoing case or request to be removed from the proceedings.
How to complete a C2 application form
You can access a C2 application form by downloading it online via the government website or by visiting a family court office.
The form is eight pages long and relatively simple to fill out, but you must take care to complete it accurately and in full.
Because of the importance of the form and its outcome, it’s advisable to seek help with your application from a family law solicitor.
Below, we will take you step-by-step through how to complete a C2 form.
- Section 1 – Summary of application: This section asks for a summary of the people involved in the proceedings, including you, the respondent, and the child or children involved in the proceedings. It also asks you to confirm whether or not you are applying for permission to issue an application.
- Section 2 – About you: This section asks for your personal details, including your full name, gender, date of birth, address, telephone number, and email address.
- Section 3 – The respondents: Next, you must fill out the same personal information about the respondents.
- Section 4 – Others who should be given notice: If there is anyone else who should be notified of your application, according to the booklet ‘CB1 – making an application – Children and the Family Courts’, then you must fill out their personal information here.
- Section 5 – Solicitors’ Details: Tick the box to confirm whether or not you have a solicitor acting for you. If you do, you’ll need to provide their details in this section.
- Section 6 – Details of application: This section is very important as it is your opportunity to explain what you are applying for and why. What you write in this section needs to be truthful and cover all important points with an emphasis on how it will benefit the child(ren) involved.
- Section 7 – Attending the court: If the court would need to make any special arrangements for you to attend court, you can specify what they are in this section.
- Section 8 – Statement of truth: You or the solicitor acting on your behalf must now sign the statement to confirm that the information in the statement is true.
Once the form has been completed, make sure that you read it back to ensure you have said everything you wanted to and that the form is filled out correctly and in full.
Then, make a copy of the form for yourself, the court, and each of the respondents you have named in the application.
If you’re attaching any additional papers to your application, like a court order or written evidence to support the application, you must take the same number of copies of these too.
When you’re confident that the form is complete, take your application, the correct fee, and the correct number of copies to the court.
How much does a C2 application cost?
The cost of making a C2 application depends on what you are using the document to apply for, but it generally costs between £58 and £167.
If you’re eligible for help with legal fees, you may be able to apply for free or at a reduced cost.
Choose Mark Reynolds for Child Arrangement Orders
At Mark Reynolds Solicitors, our team of specialist family law solicitors are here to provide support, guidance, and legal services to families navigating child arrangement cases.
We understand that resolving child arrangement issues or disputes can be overwhelming, and our team aims to make a stressful process as quick and painless as possible.
We handle every family law case with the utmost care and professionalism; whether you’re filing a C2 application to seek permission for court action or require mediation services to resolve an urgent dispute, our dedicated team is equipped to help.
Contact us today for a free consultation, and let us help you ensure that your child’s best interests are always protected.