Family court glossary: plain-English terms for fathers
Family court papers use terms that sound familiar but mean something precise. This glossary explains the ones fathers meet most often in a child arrangements case in England and Wales.
- Allegation
- A claim that someone has done something wrong. An allegation is not a finding.
- Cafcass
- The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service. It carries out safeguarding checks before the first hearing and may prepare reports for the court.
- Child arrangements order
- A court order that says where a child lives, and when and how the child spends time with each parent. It replaced the older “residence” and “contact” orders.
- Child Focused Model
- A different process used in some court areas under Practice Direction 36Z, in place of the standard Child Arrangements Programme. Check your notice of hearing.
- Fact-finding hearing
- A hearing where the court decides whether disputed allegations happened, when their resolution is likely to affect the decision. The party making an allegation must prove it on the balance of probabilities.
- Finding of fact
- A decision by a court, after evidence, that something did or did not happen.
- FHDRA
- First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment. See what happens at the first hearing.
- Interim order
- A temporary order made while the case continues.
- Litigant in person
- A person who represents themselves in court without a solicitor or barrister.
- McKenzie Friend
- A person who supports someone in court by giving moral support, taking notes and helping with papers. They are not a lawyer and do not usually speak for you.
- MIAM
- Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting. See what a MIAM is.
- Position statement
- A short document setting out what a party wants the court to do and why.
- Safeguarding letter
- Cafcass’s pre-hearing report to the court. See what it contains.
- Section 7 report
- A welfare report the court can order from Cafcass or a local authority. See what it involves.
- Forms C100, C1A, C7, FM5
- The main application and response forms. See the forms explained.
Related guides
- What happens at the first hearing (FHDRA)?
- What is a Cafcass safeguarding letter?
- What is a section 7 report?
- Free checklist: your first 30 days in Family Court
- When You Can’t See Your Child: the book
Sources
- Practice Direction 12B, Annex 1 and paragraphs cited in the linked guides (justice.gov.uk)
- Practice Direction 12J, paragraphs 16 to 20 (justice.gov.uk)
- Practice Direction 36Z (justice.gov.uk)
Sources checked 20 September 2026. Procedure changes, so check that each source is current before relying on it.
This guide gives general information about the standard process in England and Wales. It is not legal advice, and procedure changes. Some court areas use a different process, the Child Focused Model, so check your notice of hearing. Full disclaimer