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Court forms · C7

Form C7: how to respond to a C100

Form C7 is how you respond to a C100: it tells the court whether you agree with or oppose the order asked for[1]. You send it to the court within 14 days of receiving the application, unless the court sets a shorter time[2]. If you have safety concerns, a Form C1A goes with it[3]. The current edition is 10.23[1].

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Last reviewed Sources checked

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To return Form C7 to the court[2]
Current edition of the C7[1]
First hearing, after the application is issued[4]

01/ At a glance

Form C7 at a glance

The acknowledgement a respondent returns to the court on an application about a child, saying whether they agree with or oppose the order asked for.

Current edition
Form C7 (10.23)[1]
Download Form C7 (PDF, GOV.UK)

Always take the form from its GOV.UK page: an old edition can be returned.

02/ What it is

What the C7 form is

GOV.UK calls Form C7 "Respond to a court application about a child": it gives the court information about an application that names you as the respondent, including whether you agree with or oppose any order[1]. "Respondent" is the court's word for the other party: for a C100, everyone the applicant believes has parental responsibility is a respondent[8].

You do not have to find the form yourself[9]. Unless the applicant asks to do it or the court directs them to, the court serves you with the C100 and any Form C1A, the notice of hearing, a blank Form C7, a blank Form C1A and the leaflet CB7[9]. The C7 has 5 pages[1].

Practice Direction 12B says it is important that the C100, the C7 and any C1A are fully and accurately completed, so the court can decide how to allocate and manage the case[10].

03/ Step by step

How to respond to a C100, in order

These are the steps the forms and Practice Direction 12B set out; your notice of hearing gives your actual date[9].

  1. Check the application, any C1A, and the notice of hearing, which gives the date, time and place of the first hearing[9][11]. Note the date you received the application: question 4 of the C7 asks for it[12].

04/ Question by question

What each question on the C7 asks

The 10.23 form has ten questions and a statement of truth[12].

Form C7 (10.23), question by question
QuestionWhat it asks
Question 1About you: name, date of birth, address, phone and email
Question 2Your solicitor, if you have one
Question 3Where letters and papers should be sent
Question 4The date you received the application
Question 5Whether you oppose the application
Question 6Whether you received a C1A, and whether you want to comment on it
Question 7Whether you believe the children have suffered or are at risk of harm
Question 8Whether you intend to apply to the court for an order
Question 9Whether you will use an interpreter
Question 10Whether you need help at court for a disability

Read off the 10.23 form[12]. Leave your address out and use Form C8 if you want to keep it confidential[3].

Question 5: agree or oppose

Question 5 asks, yes or no, whether you oppose the application[12]. At the first hearing a Cafcass officer, if it is safe, tries to help you both agree some or all of the issues[16][17].

Questions 6 and 7: safety

Question 6 asks whether the application came with a completed C1A and whether you wish to comment on it[12]. Question 7 asks whether you believe the children have suffered or are at risk of harm from domestic abuse, violence within the household, child abduction or other conduct by anyone caring for them, living with them or in contact with them[12]. Yes to both parts of 6, or yes to 7, means you also complete a C1A[3]. See Form C1A.

Question 8: your own application

Question 8 asks whether you intend to apply to the court for an order[12]. HMCTS guide CB1 says Form C2 is the form for an order in existing proceedings[18]. See Form C2.

Questions 9 and 10: at court

If you need an interpreter, the form says to tell the court immediately so one can be arranged[12]. Set out any disability needs in full at question 10: if the court does not know them, the hearing may be adjourned[3].

05/ Your position

If you agree, disagree or have concerns

What the forms and guidance say for each situation[12]:

You say so at question 5[12]. If you both agree at a hearing, the court can make an order reflecting the agreement, which in many cases will be final, but no order is made without the court scrutinising it[17][19]. Practice Direction 12J adds that a child arrangements order by consent is made only once the safeguarding checks are in and Cafcass has spoken to each of you separately, unless the court is satisfied there is no risk of harm[20].

06/ Sending it

Where to send the C7 and when

Practice Direction 12B says the respondent sends the C7, and any C1A, to the court within 14 days after receiving the application, unless the court has set a shorter time, and the court sends copies to Cafcass and to the applicant[2]. The form itself says to post or hand a copy to the applicant and to each party named in the application, and to send the form to the court within 14 days of the date you were given the notice, or of the postmark if it was posted[3].

Form C8, if you use it, goes only to the court[3]. If the applicant has asked the court to order you to pay for a child, you also fill in a Statement of Means[3].

Where a case is progressing on HMCTS's online system, respondents may post their forms or upload them, and someone without a lawyer who does not have access, or chooses not to use it, can respond on paper[23].

Before you send the C7

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07/ The MIAM

Do you need a MIAM as the respondent?

Practice Direction 3A says the person who would be the respondent is expected to attend a MIAM, with the applicant or separately[24]. The Family Mediation Council says the judge will expect you to have attended one, unless the same specific circumstances that allow an exemption apply[25].

At the first hearing the court checks whether the respondent has attended a MIAM, and can direct the parties to one and adjourn if a MIAM exemption was not validly claimed[26]. See what is a MIAM.

08/ After you respond

Getting ready for the first hearing

The first hearing should ordinarily be in week 5 after the application was issued, and in week 6 at the latest[4]. You should have at least 14 days' notice of it where practicable[2]. By then the court should have the C100, your C7, any C1A and the Cafcass safeguarding letter[17].

In some cases each party must also file Form FM5, setting out their views on resolving things without court, at least 7 days before the first hearing[27]. See Form FM5 for when it applies.

Where a hearing with evidence is listed, the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 can stop an alleged abuser questioning a victim in person, and the court sends Form EX740 or EX741 so it can decide[12][28].

09/ Getting help

Help with your response

You can represent yourself without a legal adviser, and GOV.UK points to AdviceNow, Support Through Court and Citizens Advice for help[29]. In April to June 2026, neither side had a lawyer in 51% of private law cases that ended[30]. If the court agrees, a McKenzie friend can give you moral support, take notes, help with papers and quietly advise[15][31].

10/ Questions

Frequently asked questions

What is a C7 form?

Form C7 is the acknowledgement you return when you are named as the respondent to an application about a child: it tells the court whether you agree with or oppose the order asked for[1].

How long do I have to respond to a C100?

You send Form C7 to the court within 14 days of receiving the application, unless the court has set a shorter time[2].

Do I send a copy of my C7 to the other parent?

The C7 says to post or hand a copy to the applicant and to each party, and to send Form C8 only to the court[3]. The court also sends the applicant a copy[2].

Can I respond to a C100 online?

Where a case is on HMCTS's online system, respondents may upload their forms or post them[23]. Anyone without a lawyer can respond on paper instead[23].

Do I need to fill in a C1A with my C7?

Only if you answer yes to both parts of question 6, or to question 7, about harm to the children[3].

Can I ask the court for a different order?

Question 8 of the C7 asks whether you intend to apply for an order[12]. Form C2 is the form for an order in existing proceedings[18].

Do I have to go to a MIAM if I am the respondent?

You are expected to attend a MIAM, with the applicant or separately[24]. At the first hearing the court checks whether you have[26].

11/ Sources

Sources we checked

  1. Form C7: respond to a court application about a child — HMCTS, GOV.UK · Form C7 (10.23), PDF — HMCTS
  2. Practice Direction 12B, paras 8.11–8.12 and 14.2 — Child Arrangements Programme, justice.gov.uk
  3. Form C7 (10.23), instructions — HMCTS
  4. Practice Direction 12B, para 14.1 — Child Arrangements Programme, justice.gov.uk
  5. FMC MIAM Standards (Aug 2022) PDF
  6. GOV.UK — mediation · FPR r3.9
  7. FPR Part 3, r3.8(1)(d)
  8. Family Procedure Rules, Part 12, rule 12.3: who the parties are — justice.gov.uk
  9. Practice Direction 12B, paras 8.7–8.9 — Child Arrangements Programme, justice.gov.uk
  10. Practice Direction 12B, para 9.1 — Child Arrangements Programme, justice.gov.uk
  11. Guide for separated parents: children and the family courts (CB7), the first hearing — HMCTS, GOV.UK
  12. Form C7 (10.23), questions 1 to 10 — HMCTS
  13. Overview of our involvement as you go through the court process — Cafcass
  14. Welcome to Cafcass — Cafcass
  15. Practice Direction 12B, paras 14.4 to 14.7 — Child Arrangements Programme, justice.gov.uk
  16. Practice Direction 12B, paras 14 and 17.1 — Child Arrangements Programme, justice.gov.uk
  17. Practice Direction 12B, paras 14.8 to 14.11 — Child Arrangements Programme, justice.gov.uk
  18. Making an application: children and the family courts (CB1), forms and service — HMCTS, GOV.UK
  19. Practice Direction 12B, para 14 (consent orders) — Child Arrangements Programme, justice.gov.uk
  20. Practice Direction 12J, paras 3, 6, 10, 25 and 36 — justice.gov.uk
  21. Practice Direction 12B, paras 14 and 19.1–19.3 — Child Arrangements Programme, justice.gov.uk
  22. Practice Direction 12J, paras 5, 9 and 10 — justice.gov.uk
  23. Practice Direction 36ZD: pilot scheme, online system for private law proceedings — justice.gov.uk
  24. Practice Direction 3A — Ministry of Justice
  25. What is a MIAM? — Family Mediation Council
  26. Practice Direction 12B, para 14.13 (MIAM and dispute resolution) — Child Arrangements Programme, justice.gov.uk
  27. Practice Direction 3A, paras 9 and 10A to 10E — justice.gov.uk
  28. Practice Direction 3AB — Prohibition of cross-examination in person, justice.gov.uk
  29. Apply for a court order: get help from a legal adviser — GOV.UK
  30. Family Court Statistics Quarterly: April to June 2026, legal representation — Ministry of Justice
  31. Guide for separated parents: children and the family courts (CB7), reaching an agreement — HMCTS, GOV.UK

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