Professional Support When Serving a Child Arrangement Order
Assist Process Serving arranges service of Child Arrangement Orders and related family court papers throughout England and Wales. Child Arrangement Orders concern arrangements for a child, so instructions can require a measured and respectful approach. We handle the documents and information provided with discretion, while keeping the process clear for the instructing party.
A Child Arrangement Order is an order under section 8 of the Children Act 1989. It can set out arrangements relating to a child, including who a child is to live with, spend time with or otherwise have contact with.
Understanding Child Arrangement Orders
A Child Arrangement Order is an order under section 8 of the Children Act 1989. It can set out arrangements relating to a child, including who a child is to live with, spend time with or otherwise have contact with.
The terms of an order are determined by the court in the circumstances of the individual case. Before arranging service, it is important to review the sealed order, application, hearing notice and any further directions carefully.
Applications for Child Arrangement Orders are commonly made using Form C100, which is also used for Prohibited Steps Orders and Specific Issue Orders.
Assist Process Serving does not provide legal advice. If you need guidance about applying for an order, its terms or arrangements for a child, please speak with your solicitor, the family court or a relevant support organisation.
Arranging Service of Child Arrangement Papers
A Child Arrangement Order may be made within ongoing proceedings, following a hearing or as part of an application requiring the court’s directions. The papers that need to be served, the people who should receive them and the deadline will depend on the case.
For a private law application, the relevant documents may include:
- 01.
A sealed Child Arrangement Order, where one has been made
- 02.
The application form
- 03.
Form C6, which gives notice of the proceedings
- 04.
A hearing notice
- 05.
Supporting statements or documents identified in the court’s directions
- 06.
Any further order setting out the arrangements for service
Responsive and Considerate Process Serving
Assist Process Serving coordinates service through a nationwide network of more than 90 experienced process servers. Our Child Arrangement Order service includes:
- 01
Process serving instructions across England and Wales
- 02
Standard, priority and same-day first-attempt options
- 03
A careful approach to matters involving children and families
- 04
Updates to the instructing party where appropriate
- 05
A statement of service once service has taken place
- 06
Electronic service where it is applicable and authorised
What to Send When Instructing Us
Clear documents and accurate service information allow us to assess the instruction promptly. Please provide:
- 01.
A sealed copy of the Child Arrangement Order, where available
- 02.
The application and any documents that must be served
- 03.
A hearing notice, Form C6 or other court notices, where relevant
- 04.
Any court directions or additional orders
- 05.
The respondent’s full name, date of birth if known and a recent photograph where available
- 06.
The service address and any alternative address details, where relevant
- 07.
The date and time by which service is required
- 08.
Relevant information about access, known routines or safety considerations
- 09.
Your case reference and preferred contact details
Statement of Service and Relevant Documentation
After the papers have been served, Assist Process Serving provides a statement of service.
This confirms the relevant details of service, including the method, date, time and location. It can be retained for the instructing party’s records and used where evidence of service is required by the court.
HM Courts and Tribunals Service publishes Form C9, a statement of service form used to provide details of service of an application or notice in Children Act proceedings. The form requires details of how, when and where service was completed.
The correct evidence or form to use may depend on the documents served and the court’s directions.
Child Arrangement Order Process Serving Costs
Standard Service
Professional process serving adhering to standard court and statutory schedules.
- Up to three attempts at personal service
- Electronic service where applicable
- Statement of service included
Priority Service
Accelerated instruction handling for time-sensitive filings and legal notices.
- First attempt within 24 hours
- Up to three attempts at personal service
- Electronic service where applicable
- Statement of service included
Same-Day Service
Immediate dispatch for critical court claims, emergency injunctions, and petitions.
- Same-day first attempt
- Up to three attempts at personal service
- Electronic service where applicable
- Statement of service included
The right service option will depend on the court deadline, the time we receive the instruction, the service location and the circumstances involved. If the matter is urgent, please tell us the exact date and time by which service is needed.
Serving Prohibited Steps Orders Nationwide
Assist Process Serving accepts instructions for serving a Child Arrangement Order throughout England and Wales. Our nationwide network supports cases in London, Birmingham, Kent, Essex, Merseyside, South Wales, the West Midlands and selected LL postcode areas, alongside other locations nationwide.
Find out more about local process serving support:
- Can you provide legal advice about a Child Arrangement Order?
No. Assist Process Serving arranges document service and does not provide legal advice. Please speak with a solicitor, the family court or an appropriate support organisation if you need advice about your circumstances or court proceedings.
- Can you help if I do not have a current address?
Trace enquiries may be available at an additional cost where an address is unknown, incomplete or no longer current. A trace may assist with further enquiries, but it cannot guarantee that a person will be located or served.
- Will I receive proof that the documents have been served?
Yes. We provide a statement of service once service has taken place. Form C9 may be relevant where the court requires details of service of an application or notice in Children Act proceedings.
- Can you serve a Child Arrangement Order the same day?
Yes. Our same-day option includes a same-day first attempt. Availability depends on when the instruction is received, the service address, the documents supplied and the required method of service.
- What documents do I need to provide?
Please send the sealed order, if one has been made, the application, relevant hearing notices, any documents the court has directed should be served and the respondent’s service details. We will also need the deadline and any relevant access or safety information.
- Does a Child Arrangement Order need to be personally served?
The required method of service depends on the court’s directions and the circumstances of the proceedings. If personal service is required, we can arrange an appropriate process serving instruction.
- Who serves a Child Arrangement Order?
The court’s directions should state who must arrange service, who should receive the documents and by when. The appropriate process can vary, so please send us the sealed order and any directions when making an enquiry.
- What is a Child Arrangement Order?
A Child Arrangement Order is a section 8 order under the Children Act 1989. It can set out arrangements for a child, including who they are to live with, spend time with or have contact with.
Need Help Serving a Child Arrangement Order?
If you need help serving a Child Arrangement Order, send us the relevant court documents, the respondent’s service address and the deadline. We will review the instruction and explain the next practical steps.
Please include:
- 01The sealed order and any documents that must be served
- 02The respondent’s name and address for service
- 03Alternative location information, where available
- 04The required service date and time
- 05Court directions and relevant access or safety information
