Enforcement of child arrangements orders

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Child arrangements orders regulating 'contact' with children following parental separation are court orders made under section 8 of the Children Act 1989. Obtaining a court order may sometimes be only the first step towards a parent gaining 'contact' with a child following separation of the parents. It may be necessary to make further applications to the court, or for other procedures to be followed to enforce the order or secure compliance with its provisions.

This Commons Library Standard Note outlines the powers of enforcement available to the courts when a parent does not comply with a child arrangements order relating to 'contact'.