Child Arrangement Order

A Child Arrangement Order or Child Arrangements Order (CAO) ^[1] is an agreement under English family law concerning where a child lives and whom a child can have contact with. CAOs are usually sought following the breakdown of a relationship and replace 'contact orders' and 'residence orders'. Their legal basis is under section 8 of the Children Act 1989. ^[2]

Agreement partner may be able to avoid going to court if you agree on:

• where the children will live

• how much time they’ll spend with each parent

• how you’ll financially support your children

This is called making child arrangements (sometimes known as ‘child custody’ or ‘child contact’).

See also

• Prohibited Steps Order
• Parental Responsibility Order

References ^[1]

1. UK Government, Making child arrangements if you divorce or separate, accessed 12 March 2021
2. "Private law cases".