C1A Form Explained: What It Is and Why It Is Used in Family Court

People searching for the C1A form are often in a distressing situation and want to know what it is for. This guide explains it in plain English.

This article shares general community observations. It is not legal advice. If you or a child are at risk, contact the emergency services. Please speak to a qualified legal professional about your own case.

C1A form in simple terms

The C1A is a supplemental information form used in children cases. Its official title is "Allegations of harm and domestic violence (Supplemental information form)". It allows a person to tell the court about allegations of harm or domestic abuse, or about risk to a child, so the court has that information early.

The form defines harm as ill treatment or damage to health and development, including damage suffered from seeing or hearing the ill treatment of another.

Either side can complete it. An applicant uses it to set out their concerns. A respondent can use it to raise their own concerns, and the respondent also receives the applicant's C1A and has a section to respond to it.

How it fits with other forms

• C100: the main application for a child arrangements order and similar orders
• C1A: supplemental information about allegations of harm or abuse
• C2: a general application within existing proceedings, or to be joined as a party

The C1A cannot be used on its own. The form says it cannot be used to apply for a court order and must be sent to the court with the relevant application form. That is the C100, the C7 if you are responding to an application, or the C1 for some other Children Act applications.

What sort of information does it ask for?

People describe the form as asking for:

• a description of the concerns being raised;
• who is said to be affected, including children;
• whether the concerns are about past events, current risk, or both;
• whether other agencies have been involved.

The form also asks about the type of abuse (physical, emotional, psychological, sexual or financial), any protective orders already in place, and approximate dates for each incident. It has a separate section on the risk of abduction, a section for any other safety concerns, and a section on the orders or safeguards you want, including your view on contact. There is also a section for special arrangements when you attend court, such as separate waiting rooms or screens.

Please note that the exact questions are set by the current official form, so always use the latest version.

Things litigants often mention

• Be factual and specific. Courts tend to look for clear, dated, factual descriptions rather than general statements.
• Keep to what you can describe. People often find it helpful to stick to their own direct experience.
• Think about safety. If you are worried about your safety, tell the court and ask about available support.
• It is read by the other side. The respondent will receive the form, so it is worth thinking about how it is worded. If you do not want your contact details shared with the other party, leave that space blank and complete the confidential contact details form, the C8.

Child focused courts

Some courts now run the new child focused court model, and it is being rolled out to the rest of England and Wales over the next few years. Whether your case follows it depends on the court your application goes to.

The C1A is still used. What changes is how much weight it can carry. Early on, a judge or legal adviser looks at the papers without the parties attending, and usually directs a Child Impact Report from Cafcass or Cafcass Cymru. That report includes safeguarding enquiries and, where possible, the child's views. The first hearing (the FHDRA under the old process) is replaced by a Decision Hearing, where the court can make final decisions.

Practitioners commonly say that the C100 and the C1A may be most of what the court has in front of it at that early stage. That is a reason people give for being specific in the C1A and saying what evidence is available. Practice varies between courts, so check what your local court expects.

Where to get the official form

The current C1A form and guidance are available from GOV.UK. The latest edition at the time of writing is dated June 2026. Always use the official version rather than a copy saved elsewhere.

Where to go next

• Look up the term in our glossary.
• Use Start Here if you are unsure which form applies to you.
• Read about McKenzie Friends who support litigants with forms.

Sources

• GOV.UK, Form C1A: Provide supplemental information when making or responding to allegations of harm and domestic violence
• Form C1A, June 2026 edition
• Practice Direction 12J, Child Arrangements and Contact Orders: Domestic Abuse and Harm
• Practice Direction 36Z, Pilot Scheme: Private Law Reform: Investigative Approach
• Fraser Dawbarns, Child Focused Courts: imminent changes to Children Act proceedings
• St Philips Chambers, Pathfinder Courts Rebranded: The Rise of Child-Focused Courts

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