Family Court Explained: The Complete 32-Part Guide
FAMILY COURT EXPLAINED
The Complete 32-Part Guide | 2026 Edition
219 PAGES | 32 DETAILED PARTS | 121 CLICKABLE LINKS | 63 UNIQUE ONLINE RESOURCES
Family Court can be confusing, stressful and overwhelming, especially when you're trying to understand legal procedures, court orders and complicated paperwork while worrying about your children.
That's why I created Family Court Explained.
Written by Toni Downing, Legal Family Advocate and founder of In Your Corner, this 219-page digital guide brings together all 32 parts of my Family Court Explained series, with expanded explanations, practical preparation guidance, relevant legislation and useful resources.
The aim is simple: to help parents, grandparents, carers and families understand the Family Court system in England and Wales, know what to expect and feel better prepared.
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
32 fully illustrated parts, covering both private and public family law, from making your first court application to care proceedings, final hearings and appeals.
219 pages of information, including explanations of court procedures, legal responsibilities, safeguarding, evidence, hearings, practical preparation and common mistakes to avoid.
121 clickable links to 63 different online resources, including official court forms, legislation, Family Procedure Rules, Practice Directions, government guidance and support organisations. Important resources appear more than once so you can find them within the relevant chapters.
Official court form links, including:
C100, C1A, C7, C8, C79, C2, C110A, EX160, N161 and FP161, along with links to further Children Act and adoption forms.
A dedicated support directory, with clickable links to 13 organisations and services, including Family Rights Group, Support Through Court, Rights of Women, Child Law Advice, Women's Aid, Men's Advice Line, Citizens Advice, IPSEA, SENDIASS information and more.
Core legislation and procedural references, helping you find the relevant legal framework without spending hours searching for it.
ALL 32 PARTS INCLUDED
1. What is the Family Court?
2. Private Law and Public Law, What's the Difference?
3. Parental Responsibility Explained
4. MIAMs, Mediation and Going to Court
5. C100 Applications Explained
6. Received a C100, What Now?
7. Urgent and Without Notice Applications
8. CAFCASS and Safeguarding Checks
9. The First Hearing, FHDRA and Public Law First Hearings
10. Domestic Abuse and PD12J
11. C1A Forms and Allegations of Harm
12. Fact-Finding Hearings
13. Section 7 Reports Explained
14. Children's Wishes and Feelings
15. Child Arrangements Orders
16. Supervised, Supported and Indirect Contact
17. When a Child Refuses Contact
18. Breaches and Enforcement
19. Specific Issue Orders
20. Prohibited Steps Orders
21. Relocation, Holidays and Taking a Child Abroad
22. Representing Yourself in Family Court
23. When Children's Services Become Involved
24. PLO and Pre-Proceedings
25. Care Proceedings and Threshold
26. The First Hearing in Care Proceedings
27. Interim Care Orders and Interim Supervision Orders
28. Emergency Protection Orders
29. The Children's Guardian, Child's Solicitor and Social Worker
30. Assessments, Experts and Kinship Care
31. Final Hearings and Long-Term Plans
32. Appeals, Variation and Discharge
MORE THAN JUST INFORMATION
Each part includes an illustrated infographic and expanded written guidance, helping you understand not just what the law says, but how issues can arise in real family court proceedings.
Throughout the guide, you'll find practical advice on preparing for hearings, organising evidence, responding to allegations, understanding professional reports, identifying important legal issues and presenting your position clearly.
There are also preparation exercises, common mistakes to avoid and reminders to help you stay focused on what matters.
WHO IS THIS GUIDE FOR?
This guide has been created for parents going through separation or child arrangements proceedings, mothers and fathers navigating contact disputes, grandparents and kinship carers, families involved with Children's Services, people representing themselves in Family Court and anyone wanting to better understand children and family law.
YOUR DOWNLOAD
Format: Digital PDF eBook
Length: 219 pages
Edition: October 2026
Coverage: England and Wales
Includes: 32 illustrated parts, expanded explanations, practical exercises, 121 clickable links and three resource appendices.
Once purchased, you can download your copy and read it on your phone, tablet or computer, or print it for personal reference.
A MESSAGE FROM TONI
I believe that families should be able to understand the legal processes affecting their lives and their children.
Nobody should feel completely lost simply because they cannot afford a solicitor or because legal language is difficult to understand.
Knowledge gives people confidence, helps them ask better questions and allows them to take a more informed role in decisions affecting their families.
Knowledge Creates Change.
Toni Downing
Legal Family Advocate
In Your Corner
Independent Family & Social Justice Advocacy
Important: This guide provides general legal information and practical guidance, not individual legal advice or legal representation. It relates to England and Wales. Laws, procedures and court forms may change, so readers should check current official sources and seek specialist advice where necessary.