When do I need to file a C1A?

You need a C1A whenever you answer yes to the safeguarding question on a C100 or C7, meaning you believe the child or you have suffered, or are at risk of, harm. It is the form where you set out what happened.

Can I file a C1A on its own?

No. The C1A is a supplemental form. It accompanies an application such as a C100 or a response such as a C7.

What happens after I file a C1A?

Cafcass will consider it in their safeguarding letter and the court will decide whether the allegations need to be resolved, which may mean listing a fact finding hearing before deciding arrangements.

What is a C1A form?

6 min read · Last reviewed 1 August 2026

The C1A is the form the family court uses to record allegations of harm. It sits alongside a C100 application or a C7 response, and it exists so that safeguarding information is captured in a structured way rather than scattered through a narrative.

What counts as harm

The form covers a wide range, and the definitions are broader than many people expect:

Physical abuse of the child or of you
Emotional or psychological abuse, including threats and intimidation
Sexual abuse
Financial or economic abuse
Coercive or controlling behaviour
Neglect, including exposure to drug or alcohol misuse
A child witnessing abuse between adults

How to complete it well

The form asks you to describe incidents. The quality of that description matters more than the volume. For each incident, aim to give:

The date, or the closest you can honestly get to it
Where it happened and who was present, including whether the children saw or heard it
What was actually said or done, in factual terms
The effect on the child
Whether it was reported to police, a GP, a school or anyone else, and any reference number

A short list of specific, dated incidents you can support is far stronger than a long account of how things felt overall. If you cannot remember a date, say approximately when and say that you are unsure. Courts respect honesty about the limits of memory.

Protective orders

The form also asks what you want the court to do to keep everyone safe, such as separate waiting areas at court, screens in the courtroom, or arrangements so you are not asked to attend at the same time as the other parent. Ask for these. They are routinely granted and they exist precisely so that you can take part properly.

What the court does with it

Cafcass reads it as part of safeguarding checks. At the first hearing the court decides whether the allegations, if true, would affect the arrangements for the child. If they would, the court may list a fact finding hearing to decide what happened before deciding anything else.

If you or a child are in immediate danger, this form is not the route. Contact the police on 999, and consider urgent protective orders such as a non-molestation order.

Common questions

When do I need to file a C1A?: You need a C1A whenever you answer yes to the safeguarding question on a C100 or C7, meaning you believe the child or you have suffered, or are at risk of, harm. It is the form where you set out what happened.
Can I file a C1A on its own?: No. The C1A is a supplemental form. It accompanies an application such as a C100 or a response such as a C7.
What happens after I file a C1A?: Cafcass will consider it in their safeguarding letter and the court will decide whether the allegations need to be resolved, which may mean listing a fact finding hearing before deciding arrangements.