Position Statement — Child Arrangements Hearing
A concise position statement for a child arrangements hearing, setting out your current position on where the child should live and contact arrangements.
This template was not drafted by a solicitor.
It is an editorial reference based on the official sources we cite. You are responsible for any document you send. For high-stakes matters (court proceedings, large sums, deportation, criminal allegations, child welfare), have a regulated solicitor review or draft your document.
When to use this template
Use this template before a child arrangements hearing (such as a First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment — FHDRA, or a Dispute Resolution Appointment — DRA) when the court has asked each party to file a position statement. A position statement should be short, focused, and non-argumentative, telling the court what you want and why it is in the child's best interests.
When NOT to use this template
Do not use this template as a substitute for a full witness statement if the court has directed one. Position statements should be concise (ideally no more than 2–3 pages); do not repeat your entire case history. Do not include irrelevant information about the other parent's personal life unless it directly affects the child's welfare.
Legal Basis
Children Act 1989 ss.8, 1(3) (welfare checklist); Family Procedure Rules 2010 Part 12 and Practice Direction 12B (Child Arrangements Programme); the welfare of the child is the court's paramount consideration.
Before you send
- Making the position statement too long — courts expect brief documents at interim hearings
- Focusing on adult grievances rather than the child's welfare — every point should link back to the child's best interests
- Using legal jargon or making legal arguments — this document is a statement of your position, not advocacy
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✗Making the position statement too long — courts expect brief documents at interim hearings
- ✗Focusing on adult grievances rather than the child's welfare — every point should link back to the child's best interests
- ✗Using legal jargon or making legal arguments — this document is a statement of your position, not advocacy
- ✗Not updating the statement to reflect any developments since the last hearing
Build Your Letter
Fill in your details
Complete the fields below. Required fields are marked with *.
Optional fields
Letter preview
IN THE FAMILY COURT AT [COURT NAME] Case Number: [CASE NUMBER] **IN THE MATTER OF [CHILD'S FULL NAME] (Date of Birth: [CHILD'S DATE OF BIRTH])** --- **POSITION STATEMENT OF [YOUR FULL NAME]** **([YOUR ROLE IN PROCEEDINGS])** Hearing date: [DATE OF THE HEARING] Hearing type: [TYPE OF HEARING] --- **1. Summary of Position** [YOUR FULL NAME] (the "[SHORT FORM OF YOUR ROLE]") respectfully asks the Court to make a child arrangements order providing that: - [CHILD'S FULL NAME] shall **live with** [WHO CHILD SHOULD LIVE WITH (YOUR PROPOSAL)]; - [CHILD'S FULL NAME] shall **spend time with** [WHO CHILD SHOULD SPEND TIME WITH] as follows: [CONTACT ARRANGEMENTS SOUGHT]. **2. Background** [BRIEF BACKGROUND (2-4 SENTENCES)] **3. Current Arrangements** At present [CHILD'S FULL NAME] lives with [WHO CHILD CURRENTLY LIVES WITH], and spends time with [WHO CHILD CURRENTLY SEES] on the following basis: [CURRENT CONTACT DETAILS]. **4. The Child's Welfare** The [SHORT FORM OF YOUR ROLE]'s position is informed by the following considerations relevant to [CHILD'S FULL NAME]'s welfare under section 1(3) of the Children Act 1989: (a) *The ascertainable wishes and feelings of the child:* [CHILD'S WISHES AND FEELINGS] (b) *Physical, emotional and educational needs:* [CHILD'S PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL NEEDS] (c) *The effect of any change in circumstances:* [EFFECT OF ANY CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES] (d) *Relevant characteristics of the child:* [RELEVANT CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CHILD] (e) *Any harm the child has suffered or is at risk of suffering:* [ANY HARM SUFFERED OR RISK OF HARM] (f) *Capability of each parent to meet the child's needs:* [CAPABILITY OF EACH PARENT] **5. Proposed Order** The [SHORT FORM OF YOUR ROLE] asks the Court to make an order in the following terms: [SPECIFIC ORDER YOU ARE PROPOSING] **6. Outstanding Issues** The following issues remain in dispute and require the Court's determination: [ISSUES STILL IN DISPUTE] --- Signed: ___________________________ [YOUR FULL NAME] Date: [DATE]
Unfilled fields appear as [FIELD NAME]. Review the letter carefully before sending. This template is a starting point — adapt it to your specific circumstances.