Answers · UK 2025/26
How much does a child arrangements order cost in the UK?
The court application fee for a child arrangements order is £232 in England and Wales, though you may be exempt or pay a reduced fee if you receive certain benefits or have a low income (via the Help with Fees scheme). If you use a solicitor throughout, total legal costs commonly range from roughly £1,500 to £15,000+ depending on how contested the case is, though many parents represent themselves (litigants in person) to avoid this cost.
Full answer
A child arrangements order is a court order setting out who a child lives with and/or spends time with following parental separation, and the cost varies enormously depending on how amicably (or not) the arrangements can be agreed. **The court fee itself** Applying to the family court for a child arrangements order costs £232 in England and Wales (this is the standard family court application fee for most private law children applications). If you're on a low income or receive certain qualifying benefits (such as Universal Credit, Income Support, or Pension Credit), you may be eligible for a full or partial fee reduction or exemption through the Help with Fees scheme. **Mediation is required first in most cases** Before applying to court for most types of family dispute involving children, you're normally required to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) to explore whether the dispute can be resolved without going to court -- MIAM sessions typically cost around £100-150 per person, though some mediators offer a free initial session, and exemptions apply in cases involving domestic abuse or urgency. **Solicitor costs -- by far the biggest variable** If you instruct a solicitor to represent you throughout the process, costs escalate quickly and depend heavily on how contested the case becomes: a straightforward, largely agreed case might cost a few thousand pounds in solicitor fees, while a heavily disputed case involving multiple hearings, expert reports (such as a Cafcass welfare report or, in more serious cases, psychological assessments), and a final contested hearing can run into many thousands or even tens of thousands of pounds, particularly if it drags on for a year or more. **Representing yourself (litigant in person)** Legal aid for private children's law disputes is generally not available except in specific circumstances (primarily where domestic abuse is evidenced), so many parents represent themselves without a solicitor to control costs -- courts do provide some support for litigants in person, and organisations like Cafcass, Citizens Advice, and various family law charities offer free guidance, though navigating court procedure alone can be stressful and time-consuming. **Cafcass involvement is free** Where the court asks Cafcass (the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service) to prepare a report on the child's welfare and wishes, this service itself is free, though it can add time to the overall process while the report is prepared. **Additional costs to budget for** Beyond legal fees, consider costs for any required expert assessments, additional mediation sessions if attempted alongside court proceedings, and potentially barrister fees for a final contested hearing if your solicitor doesn't have higher court rights of audience. **Practical tip** Genuinely attempting mediation first, even where you're sceptical it will work, is usually far cheaper than proceeding straight to a contested court application, and courts generally expect to see evidence mediation was considered or attempted before allowing a contested application to proceed.
Try the calculator
More answers
This answer is informational only and does not constitute financial, tax or legal advice. Figures are for the 2025/26 UK tax year. See our methodology and sources.