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All Legal Journeys
Family Law
UK-wide
3 stages
3–9 months
Reviewed 2026-05-22
Child maintenance challenge journey
Challenge a Child Maintenance Service decision through mandatory reconsideration and tribunal appeal.
Who Uses This Journey
Paying or receiving parents who disagree with a CMS calculation or variation decision.
Stage-by-Stage Timeline
1
1
Mandatory Reconsideration
Request CMS to look again at the decision within 1 month.
Deadline: 1 month from decision
2
2
Tribunal appeal
If MR confirms the decision, appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Social Entitlement) within 1 month.
Forms at This Stage
3
3
Hearing
Judge + financial member panel. Decision binding on CMS.