How to Apply for a Child Arrangements Order in Wales

When separated parents in Wales can't agree on where their children will live or how much time they'll spend with each parent, either parent can apply to the family court for a Child Arrangements Order (CAO). The process in Wales looks different from England's — Welsh courts use the Pathfinder model, which front-loads investigation and aims to resolve disputes faster than the traditional Child Arrangements Programme.

Around 80% of parents in family court represent themselves. Here's what the process actually involves.

Before You Can Apply: The MIAM Requirement

You cannot file a court application without first attending a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) with an accredited family mediator. This is a legal requirement under the Children and Families Act 2014.

The mediator assesses whether your case is suitable for mediation or another form of Non-Court Dispute Resolution. If it is and both parents agree, mediation sessions begin. If it isn't — or the other parent refuses to participate — the mediator signs a statutory certificate (Form FM1) that you attach to your court application.

Exemptions exist for documented domestic abuse, child protection concerns, and cases where the other parent is in prison. The £500 Family Mediation Voucher Scheme can help cover joint mediation costs.

Filing Your C100 Application

The court application form is the C100. You can complete it online through the MyHMCTS portal or submit a paper form. The current filing fee is £263, rising to £270 from July 2026. If you're on a low income or receiving certain benefits, you can apply for fee remission using Form EX160.

Your C100 must include:

• Details of both parents and all children involved
• The specific orders you're asking for ("lives with" and/or "spends time with")
• Your FM1 mediator certificate (or the basis for your MIAM exemption)
• A C1A supplemental form if there are allegations of domestic abuse or harm

The court sends a copy of your application to the other parent (the respondent), who has 14 days to file their response.

What Happens Next: The Pathfinder Process

In Wales, all family courts now operate under the Pathfinder model. This replaces the traditional sequence of multiple hearings with a problem-solving, investigation-first approach.

Step 1: Gatekeeping. A legal adviser and gatekeeping judge review your C100 immediately to allocate the case and identify any urgent safety issues.

Step 2: Cafcass Cymru investigation. Rather than a brief phone check, Cafcass Cymru conducts a multi-agency investigation from the outset. Officers contact police, local authority children's services, schools, and health providers to build a comprehensive safety and welfare picture.

Step 3: Safeguarding calls. Both parents receive a call from a Cafcass Cymru Family Proceedings Officer (the Welsh equivalent is called a WFPO). This call covers domestic abuse history, substance misuse, mental health concerns, and the child's current living situation. The officer also meets directly with the children early in the process.

Step 4: Child Impact Report. The officer compiles their findings into a Child Impact Report within six weeks — significantly faster than the 14-16 weeks a traditional Section 7 report takes in England. This report shapes the court's understanding of your family.

Step 5: First hearing. Armed with the Child Impact Report, the judge has a comprehensive picture before the first major hearing. Many cases settle at this stage because the investigative groundwork is already done. If parents reach agreement, the judge issues a consent order.

Step 6: Contested hearing. If agreement isn't reached, the judge determines what further evidence is needed and lists the case for a contested final hearing where both parents give evidence and the judge makes a binding decision.

Applying Without a Solicitor

Most parents in Welsh family court are self-represented. The court system is designed to accommodate this — judges and Cafcass Cymru officers will explain procedures and ensure you understand what's happening.

Key things self-representing parents should know:

• You have the right to conduct your entire case in Welsh under the Welsh Language Act 1993
• The court must provide a bilingual judge or translation services at no cost to you
• All primary court forms (C100, C1A) are available as bilingual Welsh/English documents
• You can prepare a position statement for the first hearing — a short document setting out what arrangements you want and why

The most common mistake self-represented parents make is treating the Cafcass Cymru safeguarding call casually. This call directly feeds into the Child Impact Report that the judge reads before the first hearing. Prepare for it as seriously as you would prepare for the hearing itself.

The Wales Child Custody & Parenting Plan Guide includes a complete filing checklist, Cafcass Cymru preparation guide, and court process roadmap designed specifically for self-representing parents in the Welsh Pathfinder system.

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