Grandparents

Grandparents—child arrangements orders

The Children Act 1989 (ChA 1989) does not include provisions that are specifically addressed to grandparents. In the event that difficulties arise in a grandparent seeing or otherwise having contact with their grandchild, possibly following the breakdown in the relationship between the grandchild's parents, and if mediation has been unsuccessful, they may consider making an application for a child arrangements order (CAO) providing for contact.

See Practice Notes: Child arrangements orders—contact and Grandparents and children proceedings.

In the majority of cases before they are able to make such an application they must first obtain permission (leave) from the court to do so.

Applications for permission to start proceedings are governed by the Family Procedure Rules 2010 (FPR 2010), SI 2010/2955, Pt 18 and the corresponding FPR 2010, PD18A.

See Practice Notes: Permission to apply for a section 8 order, Grandparents and children proceedings— Applications by grandparents for child arrangements orders and FPR 2010, Part 18 applications—procedure.

Note that attendance at a family mediation information and assessment meeting (MIAM) is compulsory before an application in private law proceedings relating ...