Form C1 Northern Ireland: How to Fill In the Family Court Application
What Form C1 Does
Form C1 is the standard application form for a Children Order in Northern Ireland. You use it to apply for a Residence Order (where the child lives), Contact Order (time with the child), Specific Issue Order (resolving a particular dispute), or Prohibited Steps Order (preventing a parent from taking a specific action).
Every contested custody or contact case in Northern Ireland begins with Form C1. It's available free from the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service (NICTS) website or from your local court office.
The Related Forms
Form C1 is rarely filed alone. Depending on your circumstances, you'll need:
Form C1AA (Supplemental Information) — mandatory if you're alleging domestic violence, abuse, or any safeguarding concern. This form asks for specific details about the nature, frequency, and dates of the alleged behaviour. Filing C1AA triggers the court's safeguarding protocols and may result in supervised contact or protective orders being considered early.
Form C1A — the summons form that notifies the other parent about the application. In the Family Proceedings Court, court staff prepare and serve this. In the County Court, you may need to arrange service yourself.
Form C4 (Acknowledgement) — sent to the respondent, who must complete and return it within 14 days. It asks whether they agree with or oppose the application and whether they want to make a cross-application for a different order.
Form C5 (Confidential Contact Details) — filed if you need to keep your address or contact details hidden from the other parent. Typically used in domestic violence situations.
Form ER1 (Fee Exemption) — if you're on a low income, receiving certain benefits, or your disposable income falls below the threshold, you can apply to have the court fees waived. A separate ER1 is required for every individual fee in your case — the filing fee and summons fee each need their own ER1.
Section-by-Section Guidance
Applicant Details
Your full legal name, address, date of birth, and contact details. If you're filing Form C5 to keep your address confidential, enter "Confidential — see Form C5" here rather than leaving it blank.
Child Details
Full name, date of birth, current address, and who the child currently lives with. If there are multiple children, list each one. Include details of any existing court orders affecting the children.
Order Sought
This is where you specify exactly what you're asking the court to do. Be specific: "A Residence Order in favour of the applicant" or "A Contact Order providing for alternate weekend contact from Friday at 3:30pm to Sunday at 6:00pm, plus every Wednesday from 4:00pm to 7:00pm."
Vague requests like "reasonable contact" give the court nothing to work with and signal that you haven't thought through your proposal.
Reasons for the Application
Explain why you need a court order. Focus on the child's welfare, not the other parent's behaviour (unless there are safeguarding concerns). Describe what you've already tried — mediation, direct negotiation, solicitor correspondence — and why it hasn't worked.
The judge reading this wants to understand why the court's intervention is necessary (the "no order" principle means the court won't act unless it's better for the child than doing nothing).
Other Proceedings
List any other family court proceedings (current or past) involving these children. This includes divorce proceedings (Form M4), domestic violence proceedings, and any social services involvement.
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Common Mistakes
Filing in the wrong court. Form C1 for children-only cases goes to the Family Proceedings Court (Magistrates' Court). If your children's case is linked to active divorce proceedings, it may need to be filed in the same court handling the divorce — check with the court office.
Incomplete Form C1AA. If you're alleging abuse, a half-completed C1AA undermines your case. Provide specific dates, descriptions of incidents, and reference any police reports, medical records, or other evidence. "He was aggressive" is insufficient — "On 15 March 2026, the respondent threw a plate against the kitchen wall while the child was in the room" is what the court needs.
Not bringing copies. The court needs the original plus copies for the respondent and any other parties. Check with your local court office how many copies are required — usually two or three.
Forgetting the fee exemption. The filing fee is £71 plus £19 for the summons. If money is tight, file Form ER1 before or alongside your application. Don't let the fee stop you from applying — the fee exemption process is straightforward for people on qualifying benefits.
After You File
Once Form C1 is lodged, the court issues the summons and serves it on the respondent. The respondent has 14 days to return their Form C4 acknowledgement. The court then schedules a First Directions Hearing — typically about six weeks after filing — where both parties appear before the judge for the first time.
Between filing and the hearing, gather your evidence: a chronological statement of events, any messages or correspondence that support your case, school reports, medical records (with the school's or GP's consent), and — most importantly — a clear, specific parenting plan proposal that addresses each factor in the welfare checklist.
Preparing Your Application
The Northern Ireland Child Custody & Parenting Plan Guide includes a Form C1 preparation checklist, drafting guidance for each section, and welfare checklist evidence mapping — designed to help you file a thorough application whether you're representing yourself or briefing a solicitor.
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