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Form C79: enforcing a child arrangements order

When the other parent isn’t following a court order about the children. What C79 can achieve, and what it can’t.

By Paige ThomsonFacts checked 20 October 2026Covers the law in England and Wales

Form C79 asks the family court to enforce a child arrangements order the other person isn’t following, or to compensate you for money lost because of it. The fee is £270. Applications about an existing enforcement order, such as a breach, cost £119. The court looks again at the facts before deciding what to do.

Official name
Application related to enforcement of a child arrangements order
Court fee
£270 for an enforcement order or compensation; £119 to deal with a breach, change or end of an existing enforcement order
Online or paper
Paper
Who fills it in
A person who benefits from the order, usually the other parent
When
After the order has not been followed
Current version
C79 (06.26)
Where it goes
Your child’s local family court

Correct at 20 October 2026. Fees from GOV.UK, Family court fees (EX50).

How do you fill in Form C79?

Read the court guidance CB5 with the form. If your order was made before 8 December 2008, GOV.UK says you also need form C78 to attach a warning notice; later orders already include one.

Section 1: the current order

Details of the child arrangements order, its date and the court that made it. Attach a copy.

Section 2: what you are applying for

Tick the order you want: an enforcement order, an order for compensation for financial loss, action on a breach of an existing enforcement order, or to revoke or amend one.

Sections 3 to 6: the people

Your details, the children, the respondent and anyone else who should be told. Use C8 for details that must stay private.

Section 7: why you are applying

Explain what the order says and how it hasn’t been followed: dates of missed handovers or contact, what was said, and what you did. For compensation, list the money lost, such as a cancelled holiday, with evidence.

Sections 8 to 10: other cases, statement of truth and attending court

List any current cases about the children, sign the statement of truth and set out your needs at court.

What are the common mistakes on Form C79?

  • Vague complaints without dates. Keep a simple log of each missed arrangement.
  • Applying for a breach (£119) before there is an enforcement order. The first application is always for enforcement (£270).
  • Asking for compensation without evidence of what you lost.
  • Using C79 when what you really need is a change to the order. That’s a C100.

What happens after you send Form C79?

The court looks at the facts again to see what has changed. If it enforces the order, it can make an enforcement order requiring the other person to do between 40 and 200 hours of unpaid work, or order them to pay compensation for financial loss. It might not enforce the order if it decides they had a good reason, or that something different would be better for the children. You can go back to court if the order still isn’t followed.

Where do you get Form C79?

Download C79 and guidance CB5 from GOV.UK and send them to your child’s local family court with the fee.

Open Form C79 on GOV.UK

We explain forms but never host them, so you always download the current version from GOV.UK.

When should you get help with Form C79?

Court enforcement can harden positions. If it’s safe, a mediator may be able to help you get arrangements back on track faster. If the other parent is refusing contact altogether, or you’re worried about the children’s safety, speak to a family solicitor.

Get help with Form C79

Tell us what’s going on and we’ll introduce you to two or three mediators who can help. Introductions are free for you.

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Common questions

How much does it cost to enforce a child arrangements order?

The fee is £270 for an enforcement order or compensation. Applications about an existing enforcement order, such as a breach, cost £119.

What can the court do if a parent breaks a child arrangements order?

It can order between 40 and 200 hours of unpaid work, or compensation for financial loss. It might not enforce the order if there was a good reason or if something different is better for the children.

Do I need form C78?

Only if your order was made before 8 December 2008. Orders made after that date already include a warning notice.

Sources

  1. GOV.UK, Form C79 apply to enforce a child arrangements order (form version 06.26)
  2. GOV.UK, Making child arrangements: change or enforce an order
  3. GOV.UK, Family court fees (EX50), updated 13 July 2026
Form C100Ask the court to decide where children live, time with each parent or a specific issueForm C2Ask for something in a children case already under wayForm C7Reply when you are named in a children applicationForm C8Keep your address and contact details private from the other sideForm EX160Get some or all of a court fee paid

Guides and tools

Child arrangements after divorceAgreeing who looks after the childrenDealing with a difficult exPractical steps when things are hardChild arrangements order without a solicitorThe C100 from start to finish

This page is general information about court forms, not legal or financial advice. Forms, fees and rules change, so always download the current form from GOV.UK and speak to a qualified professional about your situation. Facts checked 20 October 2026.