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"CAO Family Court Bundle England and Wales"

Child Arrangements Order Court Bundle Software UK

Create child arrangements order court bundle with our family court bundle tool for child arrangements. Our PD27A child arrangements bundle creator helps with DIY child arrangements court bundle UK. Child arrangements e-bundle for family court with Section 8 order court bundle UK support. Private law children court bundle software built for solicitors across England and Wales.

Every stop on the journey produces a real document — template, form or hearing bundle

What is BundleCreator child arrangements order bundle software UK?

BundleCreator is child arrangements order bundle software UK and a PD27A child arrangements bundle creator designed for Family Courts in England and Wales. Our family court bundle tool for child arrangements automates pagination, indexing, and creates CAO family court bundle England and Wales—streamlining bundle preparation. Features include child arrangements e-bundle for family court templates, Section 8 order court bundle UK support, child contact order document bundle sections, and DIY child arrangements court bundle UK for private law children court bundle software needs.

Create Your Child Arrangements BundleCalculate Your FHDRA Deadlines

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Parents and their primary-school-age daughter in a Children's Services waiting area, CAFCASS report and Section 8 order paperwork on the table in front of them

Your Child Arrangements Journey

Two parents, one journey. The applicant and respondent each have their own line; the steps both parents share — the position statements and the FHDRA, DRA and final hearing both attend — sit on the centre "Both parties" lane. CAFCASS welfare reports drop in from above, with dashed connectors showing where each line feeds in.

← Swipe to explore the full journey →

feeds into FHDRAfeeds into DRAiApplicant — Child Arrangements ProgrammeApplicant parent routeMMIAMAuthorised mediator (private appointment)MediationC100 IssuedFamily Court (filing)GatekeepingPD12J DirectionsScott ScheduleSealed CAOFamily CourtN161 Filedtyp. days–weeks⚠ 14 d C7 (FPR 12.32)typ. 8–12 wks (Scott Schedule + statements)⚠ 21 d to appealiBoth parties — shared stepsYou both do thesePosition StatementsFHDRAFamily CourtConsent OrderFact-FindingFamily CourtDRAFamily CourtConsent OrderFinal HearingFamily Courttyp. 12–20 wks (S7 window)typ. 3–5 mo (S7 post-findings)typ. 2–4 wks to sealiRespondent — Responding to a C100Respondent parent routeIssue NoticeC7 ResponseFamily Court (filing)C1A (counter)Family Court (filing)Safeguarding ChecksSafeguarding InterviewCAFCASS (telephone)S7 EngagementCAFCASS investigation⚠ 14 d from servicebefore FHDRAtyp. 4–8 wks to FHDRAiCAFCASS — Welfare InvestigationIndependent welfare investigationSafeguarding LetterCAFCASSS7 ReportCAFCASS investigationS37 DirectionLocal Authority investigationiEither parent — Breach Enforcement (post-order)Either party may applyC79 ApplicationEnforcement HearingFamily Courttyp. 8–16 wks to hearingPick one or moreUnpaid WorkFamily CourtFinancial Comp (s.11O)Family CourtCommittalFamily Court / High CourtTransfer of ResidenceFamily CourtiEither parent — Variation (post-order)Either party may applys.91(14) LeaveMFresh MIAMMediationC100 (Variation)Variation FHDRAFamily CourtVariation FinalFamily Court⚠ 14 d C7Pick one or moreVariedFamily CourtDischargedFamily CourtNo VariationFamily Courts.91(14) BarFamily CourtiEither party — AppealEither party may appealAppeal HearingFamily Court / High CourtCourt of AppealCourt of Appeal (Civil Division)⚠ 21 days
Lines:Applicant — Child Arrangements ProgrammeBoth parties — shared stepsRespondent — Responding to a C100CAFCASS — Welfare InvestigationEither parent — Breach Enforcement (post-order)Either parent — Variation (post-order)Either party — Appeal
Stops:Bundle hearing — a court bundle is built hereProcess step — no bundle, just a procedural milestoneOptional step — dashed: not always applicable (e.g. only if needed or agreed)Form-filing endpoint — apply on a court form (warrant or enforcement)
Reading:Blog Insight — purple book icons link to a related article (opens in a new tab)
Timing:statutory — miss this and loserequired noticetypical wait
Laws:This journey summarises the procedure under Children Act 1989 (Parts I and II — private law), Children Act 1989, s.37(4) (Local Authority investigation deadline), Children and Families Act 2014, s.10 (MIAM), Family Procedure Rules 2010 (esp. Part 12, Part 30, Part 37), Practice Direction 12B (Child Arrangements Programme), Practice Direction 12J (Domestic Abuse and Harm), Practice Direction 27A (Family Court bundles) and Re L-W (Children) [2010] EWCA Civ 1253 (committal jurisdiction in family proceedings). General information only — not legal advice.
© Steleo Publishing Ltd 2026. BundleCreator.co and the tube-map journey design are trade brands of Steleo Publishing Ltd.

Important: This journey map shows the typical stages of the relevant court or tribunal proceedings. It is general information, not legal advice. Every case is different. For advice about your specific situation, consult a solicitor or instruct a barrister directly.

The law, court fees and time limits can change. We work hard to keep this map accurate, but it may contain errors or become out of date, so please check anything important against the official source — for example legislation.gov.uk or GOV.UK. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Steleo Publishing Limited does not accept liability for any loss arising from reliance on this map. Each stop represents a stage where a separate bundle may be required; BundleCreator handles the formatting — it does not replace professional legal advice.

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Child Arrangements Order Court Bundle UK: In Brief

A child arrangements order is a Section 8 order court bundle UK under the Children Act 1989 that determines who a child lives with and spends time with. Applications in England and Wales follow the Family Procedure Rules 2010 and must comply with Practice Direction 27A for family court bundle preparation. The court's paramount consideration is the child's welfare. Our child arrangements order bundle software UK helps create PD27A child arrangements bundle creator compliant court bundles.

Application Form
C100 (with C1A if safeguarding concerns)
Court Fee
£232 (as of January 2026)
First Hearing
FHDRA within 4-6 weeks
Jurisdiction
England and Wales Family Courts
Bundle Limit
PD27A recommends 350 pages (up to 1000 supported)

Official guidance: Practice Direction 27A – Family Proceedings: Court Bundles

Quick Answer

A Child Arrangements Order (CAO) court bundle is a compiled set of documents required by UK Family Courts under Practice Direction 27A. BundleCreator is online court bundle software that automates this by paginating C100 forms and evidence into a court-ready PDF in minutes.

Last reviewed: 17 May 2026 by Stevie Hayes

What to look for in family court bundle software for child arrangements

Self-represented parents and family lawyers preparing C100, FHDRA, DRA, and final hearing bundles need software designed around the rules that apply to their hearings. These are the features to weigh up.

  • PD27A-aligned section pagination

    Family Court non-financial-remedy bundles use Bates per-section restart (A1, A2 … B1, B2 …) under PD27A para 1.2. Software should output that format by default for child arrangements, not a generic continuous numbering.

  • C100 and C1A workflow templates

    A pre-loaded bundle template for the C100 application, with placeholders for the C1A safeguarding statement, MIAM exemption form, and Section 7 / Section 37 reports — so you build the right bundle from the right starting point.

  • Automatic index generation and cross-referencing

    The bundle index is what the judge reads first. Software should generate it automatically as documents are added, with hyperlinked cross-references that survive PDF export.

  • Bundle filing deadline awareness

    PD27A para 6.4 requires filing by 11am one working day before the hearing. The tool should make that deadline visible and warn before it slips.

  • Litigant-in-person friendly first-time experience

    If you have never built a bundle before, the software should walk you through it without assuming legal training. Pre-loaded guidance, sample bundles, and a practice mode are the markers of a tool built for both lawyers and litigants in person.

  • UK data residency and AES-256 encryption at rest

    Family Court documents contain children's data and protected-party information. Software handling it should keep that data in the UK, encrypted at rest with AES-256, and over TLS 1.3 in transit.

  • Transparent pricing without a sales call

    A 7-day trial and clear per-bundle or subscription pricing, published on the website, lets you evaluate the tool without sitting through a demo.

UK Child Arrangements Order key facts, 2026

Primary UK references on Section 8 applications, fees, and bundle requirements.

StatValueSource
Application form for child arrangementsForm C100 (with C1A if safeguarding concerns)GOV.UK Form C100
Court fee — C100 application£232GOV.UK EX50 fees schedule
First hearing — typical timingFHDRA listed within 4-6 weeks of issueGOV.UK Family Court Statistics Quarterly
Welfare paramountcyChild's welfare is the court's paramount considerationSection 1, Children Act 1989
Bundle pagination — CAO proceedingsBates numbering, restart per section (Ch 7.2 PD27A)PD27A para 1.2 + Ch 7.2, FPR 2010
Bundle filing deadlineBy 11am one working day before hearingPD27A para 6.4, FPR 2010
MIAM requirement before C100Mandatory unless exempt under FPR 3.8FPR Part 3, Family Procedure Rules 2010
55,000+

Child arrangements applications per year

Over 55,000 C100 applications filed annually in family courts in England and Wales.

Source: MOJ Family Court Statistics Quarterly, 2024

Section 8

Child arrangements orders

Child arrangements orders regulate with whom a child lives, spends time, or has contact, and may be made on application or of the court's own motion.

Source: Children Act 1989, section 8

Form C100

Application form

An application for a child arrangements order is made on Form C100 under Part 12 of the Family Procedure Rules 2010.

Source: Family Procedure Rules 2010, Part 12

Aligned with UK GDPR
UK Data Protection
AES-256
AES-256 + TLS 1.3
PD27A Ready
Court-ready formatting
SRA Standards
Professional compliance

Understanding Child Arrangements Orders in England & Wales

Everything you need to know about applying for a Child Arrangements Order, the C100 process, and preparing your court bundle

What is a Child Arrangements Order (CAO)?

A Child Arrangements Order is a legal ruling by the Family Court in England and Wales that determines where a child lives and how much time they spend with each parent. To apply for this order, you must typically complete a C100 form.

The order replaced the previous 'residence order' and 'contact order' under the Children and Families Act 2014, and is now the standard way for separating parents to formalise arrangements for their children through the court system.

Before You Apply: The MIAM Requirement

In most cases, you must attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) before applying to court. A MIAM is a meeting with a qualified family mediator who will explain how mediation works and whether it might be suitable for resolving your dispute.

You'll need to provide proof of MIAM attendance (a signed FM1 form) with your C100 application. Exemptions apply in cases involving domestic abuse, urgency, child protection concerns, or where the other party is unreasonably refusing to attend.

The C100 Process & FHDRA Preparation

After submitting your C100 form, the first major step is the First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment (FHDRA), typically scheduled within 4-6 weeks. At this stage, a judge and a Cafcass officer will review your case to see if an agreement can be reached safely.

Cafcass will conduct safeguarding checks before the hearing and may speak to both parents on the day. The judge will consider whether the case can be resolved at this stage or whether further hearings and reports are needed.

Key Documents for Your Family Court Bundle

To ensure your hearing runs smoothly, your court bundle should be well-organised and comply with Practice Direction 27A. A professional bundle demonstrates respect for the court's time and helps the judge understand your case quickly.

  • The completed C100 application and any C1A (safeguarding) form
  • MIAM certificate (FM1 form) or evidence of exemption
  • Cafcass safeguarding letter and any Section 7 reports
  • Witness statements and evidence regarding the child's welfare
  • Position statements setting out your proposals for the child
  • Any court orders already made in the proceedings

Private Law Children Court Bundle Software UK

Our child contact order document bundle software supports Section 8 order court bundle UK preparation with organised child arrangements e-bundle for family court

Welfare Checklist Integration

Organise evidence according to Section 1(3) Children Act factors. Position statements and parenting plans properly structured.

CAFCASS Reports

Dedicated sections for CAFCASS reports, Section 7 reports, and Guardian recommendations with proper indexing.

Stage-Specific Templates

Pre-configured bundles for FHDRA, DRA, fact-finding hearings, and final hearings.

Safeguarding Focus

Sensitive handling of safeguarding concerns, police disclosures, and medical evidence with appropriate redaction tools.

C100 & Responses

Automatic organisation of applications, responses, and supporting statements in chronological order.

Urgent Applications

Expedited bundle creation for without notice applications and urgent hearings.

How Much Time Will You Save?

Compare manual bundle preparation with BundleCreator automation

TaskManualBundleCreator
Document pagination2-4 hours2 mins
Index creation1-2 hoursAutomatic
Hyperlink insertion30-60 minsAutomatic
Format checks against court rules1 hourBuilt-in
Total time4-8 hours~10 mins

Based on typical UK family court bundle preparation. Times may vary depending on document volume and complexity.

Supporting Families Through Difficult Times

We understand that child arrangements proceedings are emotionally challenging. Our platform is designed to reduce administrative burden, allowing you to focus on achieving the best outcomes for the children involved.

Confidential & Secure

All sensitive information protected with AES-256 encryption at rest and TLS 1.3 in transit

Child-Centred Approach

Templates organised around children's best interests

Three Steps to Court-Ready Bundles

1

Select Hearing Type

Choose from FHDRA, DRA, fact-finding, or final hearing templates

2

Upload Documents

Add applications, statements, reports, and evidence in any order

3

Generate Bundle

Export your indexed, paginated bundle ready for court and parties

Child Arrangements E-Bundle for Family Court Templates

Pre-configured templates to create child arrangements order court bundle for every type of Section 8 order court bundle UK hearing

FHDRA Bundle

First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment with safeguarding checks.

C100C1APosition Statement

DRA Bundle

Dispute Resolution Appointment bundle with CAFCASS recommendations.

Section 7Updated PositionProposals

Fact-Finding Bundle

Organised allegations, responses, and evidence for fact-finding hearings.

Scott SchedulePolice DisclosureEvidence

Final Hearing Bundle

Comprehensive bundle for contested final hearings with all evidence.

All StatementsExpert ReportsOrders

Urgent Application Bundle

Expedited bundle for without notice and urgent applications.

C100C1ASupporting Statement

Enforcement Bundle

C79 enforcement applications and breach evidence bundles.

C79Breach EvidenceChronology
Start Creating Bundles

Manual Bundling vs PD27A Child Arrangements Bundle Creator

See how our child arrangements order bundle software UK streamlines your DIY child arrangements court bundle UK preparation

FeatureManual BundlingBundleCreator
PD27A format checks
Automatic pagination
Index generation
Time to prepare bundle
4-8 hours
30-60 mins
PDF compression
Secure document storage
Template guidance
Error reduction
CAFCASS report sections
Welfare checklist organisation
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C100 Application Bundle Checklist

Essential documents for your child arrangements order application. Download or use interactively to track your preparation.

16 items*2 required

1Core Application Documents

  • Completed C100 formRequired
  • C1A form (allegations of harm)
  • MIAM certificate or exemptionRequired
  • Court fee or fee remission application

2Supporting Evidence

  • Position statement
  • Chronology of events
  • Previous court orders (if any)
  • Cafcass/Section 7 report (if available)
  • School reports
  • + 1 more items in full checklist

3Communication Evidence

  • Text messages/emails
  • Social media evidence (if relevant)
  • Letters from professionals

4For FHDRA Hearing

  • Updated position statement
  • Safeguarding letter from Cafcass
  • Proposed child arrangements schedule

Built for solicitors, barristers, and litigants in person across the UK

DIY Child Arrangements Court Bundle Guide

Navigating family court without a solicitor? Our child arrangements order bundle software helps self-represented parents create CAO court bundles online with professional results.

Essential Resources

How BundleCreator Helps

  • ✓ Pre-configured templates follow court requirements
  • ✓ Automatic pagination saves hours of work
  • ✓ Built-in guidance for each section
  • ✓ Professional results without legal costs

Understanding Section 8 Children Act Orders

Section 8 of the Children Act 1989 establishes four types of orders the court can make regarding children. Each requires different bundle preparation to address the specific welfare considerations.

Child Arrangements Order

Determines with whom a child lives and spends time. Replaced the former residence and contact orders under the Children and Families Act 2014.

Bundle focus: Living arrangements evidence, contact proposals, welfare checklist factors

Prohibited Steps Order

Prevents a parent from taking specific actions regarding the child without court permission, such as removing the child from the jurisdiction.

Bundle focus: Evidence of risk, proposed restrictions, safeguarding concerns

Specific Issue Order

Resolves specific disputes about a child's upbringing, such as education, medical treatment, or religious upbringing.

Bundle focus: Expert evidence, competing proposals, child's views (if ascertainable)

Section 91(14) Orders

Restricts further applications without court permission. Applied where there has been repeated litigation or vexatious applications.

Bundle focus: Litigation history, impact on child, proposed duration

The Welfare Checklist: Section 1(3) Children Act 1989

When determining any question with respect to a child's upbringing, the court must have regard to the statutory welfare checklist. Your bundle should address each factor:

a)The ascertainable wishes and feelings of the child
b)Physical, emotional and educational needs
c)Likely effect of any change in circumstances
d)Age, sex, background and relevant characteristics
e)Any harm suffered or at risk of suffering
f)Capability of each parent to meet needs
g)Range of powers available to the court

Source: Children Act 1989, Section 1(3)

FHDRA: What to Expect at Your First Hearing

The First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment (FHDRA) is usually your first court appearance in child arrangements proceedings. According to Practice Direction 12B, here's what happens step by step.

  1. 1

    Cafcass Safeguarding Checks

    Before the hearing, Cafcass conducts police and local authority checks on both parties. You'll receive a safeguarding letter summarising any concerns.

  2. 2

    Meeting with Cafcass Officer

    On the day, you'll briefly meet with a Cafcass officer who will speak to both parties separately to understand the issues.

  3. 3

    The Court Hearing

    The judge will review the application, safeguarding information, and hear from both parties. The focus is on whether agreement can be reached.

  4. 4

    Possible Outcomes

    The court may: make an agreement into an order, order a Section 7 report, list for a fact-finding hearing, or give directions for the next hearing.

  5. 5

    Next Steps & Directions

    If the case continues, the judge will set a timetable and give directions about filing statements, reports, and future hearings.

Comprehensive Compliance Resource

A Guide to UK Court Bundle Compliance

For a complete understanding of Practice Direction 27A, the Family Procedure Rules 2010, and bundle requirements across all proceeding types, consult our authoritative master guide.

Read the Master Compliance Guide

Last updated: January 2026 | Next review: July 2026

Helpful Guides for Child Arrangements

→C100 Application: Comprehensive Guide→FHDRA Hearing: How to Prepare Your Bundle→Scott Schedule for Fact-Finding Hearings→Grandparents' Rights to Child Contact→Varying a Child Arrangements Order→Supervised Contact & Contact Centres
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Stay Updated on Child Arrangements Law

Get the latest judgments, guidance, and news on child arrangements and contact orders.

Recent court judgments and tribunal decisions
Expert articles and practical guides
Legal news and policy changes
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Stay informed on UK legal developments that could make a difference to your case

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Simple, Transparent Pricing

Pay only for what you need — no hidden fees

Pay As You Go
£29.99per bundle

One-time payment for a single Child Arrangements Bundle

  • Full PD27A alignment
  • Welfare checklist templates
  • PDF compression
  • Secure encryption
Create Bundle - £29.99

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Subscription Plans
From £19.99/month

Choose from Essential, Pro, or Platinum tiers

  • Essential: up to 15 bundles, templates, court-ready PDF
  • Pro: up to 40 bundles, advanced compression
  • Platinum: up to 100 bundles, Word export
  • 7-day free trial on all plans
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What Our Users Say

Real feedback from people using BundleCreator

As a litigant in person, BundleCreator was invaluable. What would have taken days of stress, I completed confidently in hours. My 361 page bundle packed with large images had been 56MB and amazingly BundleCreator compressed it to only 15MB.
SI
Sammy I.
Litigant in Person, Manchester, UK

Free tools for your case

Picked for child arrangements applications and FHDRA preparation.

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Bundle Checklist Generator

Find every document you need for your specific hearing type.

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Free

Court Fee Calculator

Live fees from the GOV.UK EX50 schedule for every claim type.

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Free

Court Deadline Calculator

Filing deadlines from your hearing date — family, civil, ET.

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Guides & Articles

Grandparents' Rights to Child Contact: How to Apply for a Child Arrangements Order

Comprehensive guide to grandparents' rights to see grandchildren in the UK. Research by the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory shows 1 in 10 private law applications are made by non-parents, mostly grandparents. Around 80% of grandparent contact applications succeed.

14 min read

Supervised Contact and Contact Centres: A Comprehensive Guide for Parents

Understanding supervised contact orders and contact centres in child arrangements cases. NACCC statistics (April 2024) show 279 accredited contact centres across England and Wales, with 140 offering supervised contact services.

12 min read

How to Vary a Child Arrangements Order: When Circumstances Change

Guide to varying an existing child arrangements order when circumstances have changed. Nuffield FJO research shows 24-27% of private law applications are from parties involved in previous proceedings. Average case duration is 39 weeks (MoJ Q2 2025).

11 min read

Scott Schedule Template & Guide: Fact-Finding Hearings 2026

Step-by-step guide to preparing a Scott schedule for family court fact-finding hearings. Includes downloadable template, column format, response deadlines, and how judges use Scott schedules to decide contested allegations. Updated for 2026.

13 min read

How to Create a Court Bundle Structured for PD 27A

Step-by-step guide to preparing a court bundle structured for Practice Direction 27A. Pagination, indexing, OCR, bookmarks, and file size requirements explained.

18 min read

Court Bundle Software for Litigants in Person: How BundleCreator Helps Self-Represented Parties

Guide to court bundle software for self-represented parties. Affordable, easy-to-use tools that help you prepare bundles structured for PD 27A without legal training.

16 min read

PD27A Pagination & Indexing: What Courts Actually Require in 2026

Get the exact PD27A pagination, indexing, and e-bundle requirements for family court in 2026. Includes page numbering rules, index format, 350-page limit, and the 7 most common mistakes that lead to bundle rejection.

15 min read

C100 Form Application: Guide to Child Arrangements Orders

Everything you need to know about the C100 form for child arrangements order applications. Step-by-step guide with documents needed and common mistakes to avoid.

15 min read
View all cao articles

Family Courts Hearing Child Arrangements Orders

Every Family Court and Combined Court Centre in England and Wales that hears C100 child arrangements applications. Pick your court for specific bundle guidance.

Yorkshire and the Humber

Browse all 356 UK courts and tribunals →

See it in action

A short walkthrough — what BundleCreator looks like inside, before you sign up.

Thumbnail: Case Details and Downloading
1:31

Walkthrough

Case Details and Downloading

Fill in your court, case number, and parties once — they appear on the title page and every document header. Then download a single court-ready PDF with index, page numbering, and OCR.

Watch the walkthrough→

Know the boundary

BundleCreator handles the presentation. The words and the strategy stay with you and your legal representative.

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2:44

Knowing the Boundary

When to Stop and Get Legal Advice

BundleCreator is a presentation tool, not legal advice. Eight situations where the right step is to pause and speak to a solicitor or barrister — and where to find legal advice including legal aid, Law Centres, LawWorks, and Advocate.

Watch — When to Get Legal Advice→

Child Arrangements Order Court Bundle UK FAQ

Common questions about our CAO family court bundle England and Wales and PD27A child arrangements bundle creator

Practice Direction 27A in force from 2 March 2026 places child arrangements proceedings under Chapter 7 (all Family proceedings except financial remedy). Bundles use Bates numbering — A1, A2, B1, B2 restarting in each section — under PD27A para 1.2 and Ch 7.2. E-bundles are the default. OCR is required for text-search, hyperlinks between index and pages are mandatory, and Arial or Times New Roman at 12pt minimum applies. BundleCreator's CAO templates apply this automatically.

PD27A para 5.1 sets a guideline page limit of 350 pages or one A4 ring binder for family bundles, including statements and exhibits. The court may permit a larger bundle where relevance and necessity justify it. The 2026 revision tightens the 'relevant and necessary' principle. BundleCreator tracks live page count, warns at 350 pages, and supports bundles up to 1,000 pages where the court has granted leave.

Messages between parties (WhatsApp, SMS, emails) can be included where they are relevant to the welfare or factual issues before the court, but PD27A and the overriding objective both expect litigants to be selective. Long unfiltered chat exports are routinely excluded as not 'relevant and necessary'. Where messages are central evidence (a Scott Schedule of allegations, a fact-finding hearing), they belong in Section C as exhibits to a witness statement, not as standalone bulk.

Under Practice Direction 27A para 6.4, the bundle must be filed and served on every other party by 11am one working day before the hearing. Earlier preliminary documents (skeleton arguments, position statements) follow the timetabling order made at the previous hearing — typically also 11am one working day before, but this varies by judge and hearing type. Late filing risks the case being removed from the list under Ch 3 PD27A. BundleCreator's deadline calculator computes the exact date.

A child arrangements order is a court order under Section 8 of the Children Act 1989 that determines who a child lives with and spends time with. It replaced the old terms 'residence order' and 'contact order'. You apply using the C100 form, and BundleCreator helps you prepare compliant court bundles for these proceedings.

A C100 child arrangements application typically requires the completed C100 form, a C1A supplemental form if there are safeguarding concerns or allegations of harm, evidence of MIAM (Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting) attendance or a valid exemption, and a position statement summarising your case. Supporting evidence such as school reports, GP letters, and any prior orders is filed under the relevant Section A or Section C of the bundle. BundleCreator organises every required document into a PD27A-aligned family court bundle.

The FHDRA (First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment) is usually the first court hearing in child arrangements cases. Expect the judge to review safeguarding checks, explore whether agreement is possible, and give directions. BundleCreator has FHDRA preparation templates with all required sections for this hearing.

A Section 7 report is prepared by Cafcass or local authority social workers to help the court understand a child's welfare needs. It assesses both parents and makes recommendations about child arrangements. BundleCreator templates include dedicated sections for Section 7 and Cafcass reports.

Yes. BundleCreator was built with litigants in person as a first-class audience alongside legal professionals. Templates carry yellow-highlighted prompts that explain what each section needs, what to write in a position statement, and which documents to include. Practice Direction 27A pagination, indexing, and bookmarking happen automatically. The neurodiversity toolbox supports users with dyslexia. McKenzie Friends use the software too. Specialist legal advice should still be sought for complex welfare matters.

BundleCreator stores documents with AES-256 encryption at rest and TLS 1.3 in transit. Hosting is UK-region (Google Cloud London, europe-west2) for UK GDPR data residency. Authentication is gated by Clerk with optional multi-factor authentication, role-based access control, and PostgreSQL row-level security. The operator (Steleo Publishing Limited) is registered with the ICO under registration ZB969283. Documents touching children's welfare benefit from these layered controls; the platform does not train AI on customer data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the 2026 rules for Child Arrangement Order (CAO) bundles?

Practice Direction 27A in force from 2 March 2026 places child arrangements proceedings under Chapter 7 (all Family proceedings except financial remedy). Bundles use Bates numbering — A1, A2, B1, B2 restarting in each section — under PD27A para 1.2 and Ch 7.2. E-bundles are the default. OCR is required for text-search, hyperlinks between index and pages are mandatory, and Arial or Times New Roman at 12pt minimum applies. BundleCreator's CAO templates apply this automatically.

What is the page limit for a CAO court bundle?

PD27A para 5.1 sets a guideline page limit of 350 pages or one A4 ring binder for family bundles, including statements and exhibits. The court may permit a larger bundle where relevance and necessity justify it. The 2026 revision tightens the 'relevant and necessary' principle. BundleCreator tracks live page count, warns at 350 pages, and supports bundles up to 1,000 pages where the court has granted leave.

Can I include WhatsApp messages or emails in my CAO bundle?

Messages between parties (WhatsApp, SMS, emails) can be included where they are relevant to the welfare or factual issues before the court, but PD27A and the overriding objective both expect litigants to be selective. Long unfiltered chat exports are routinely excluded as not 'relevant and necessary'. Where messages are central evidence (a Scott Schedule of allegations, a fact-finding hearing), they belong in Section C as exhibits to a witness statement, not as standalone bulk.

When is the deadline to file a CAO bundle in 2026?

Under Practice Direction 27A para 6.4, the bundle must be filed and served on every other party by 11am one working day before the hearing. Earlier preliminary documents (skeleton arguments, position statements) follow the timetabling order made at the previous hearing — typically also 11am one working day before, but this varies by judge and hearing type. Late filing risks the case being removed from the list under Ch 3 PD27A. BundleCreator's deadline calculator computes the exact date.

What is a child arrangements order?

A child arrangements order is a court order under Section 8 of the Children Act 1989 that determines who a child lives with and spends time with. It replaced the old terms 'residence order' and 'contact order'. You apply using the C100 form, and BundleCreator helps you prepare compliant court bundles for these proceedings.

What documents are needed for a C100 form application?

A C100 child arrangements application typically requires the completed C100 form, a C1A supplemental form if there are safeguarding concerns or allegations of harm, evidence of MIAM (Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting) attendance or a valid exemption, and a position statement summarising your case. Supporting evidence such as school reports, GP letters, and any prior orders is filed under the relevant Section A or Section C of the bundle. BundleCreator organises every required document into a PD27A-aligned family court bundle.

What should I expect at an FHDRA hearing?

The FHDRA (First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment) is usually the first court hearing in child arrangements cases. Expect the judge to review safeguarding checks, explore whether agreement is possible, and give directions. BundleCreator has FHDRA preparation templates with all required sections for this hearing.

What is a Section 7 report in family court?

A Section 7 report is prepared by Cafcass or local authority social workers to help the court understand a child's welfare needs. It assesses both parents and makes recommendations about child arrangements. BundleCreator templates include dedicated sections for Section 7 and Cafcass reports.

Can a litigant in person use BundleCreator for family court?

Yes. BundleCreator was built with litigants in person as a first-class audience alongside legal professionals. Templates carry yellow-highlighted prompts that explain what each section needs, what to write in a position statement, and which documents to include. Practice Direction 27A pagination, indexing, and bookmarking happen automatically. The neurodiversity toolbox supports users with dyslexia. McKenzie Friends use the software too. Specialist legal advice should still be sought for complex welfare matters.

How does BundleCreator protect children's sensitive information?

BundleCreator stores documents with AES-256 encryption at rest and TLS 1.3 in transit. Hosting is UK-region (Google Cloud London, europe-west2) for UK GDPR data residency. Authentication is gated by Clerk with optional multi-factor authentication, role-based access control, and PostgreSQL row-level security. The operator (Steleo Publishing Limited) is registered with the ICO under registration ZB969283. Documents touching children's welfare benefit from these layered controls; the platform does not train AI on customer data.

Built by Stevie Hayes, a Governance, Risk and Compliance specialist who spent five years in the UK Family Court system. Published October 2025 · Last updated 26 April 2026.

support@bundlecreator.co · ICO Registration ZB969283 · UK GDPR

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BundleCreator helps you prepare and organise documents for court and tribunal hearings. We are not a law firm and we do not give legal advice. Wherever you can, please get advice from a qualified legal adviser before your hearing. Read more

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