Guides / Family court: child arrangements
Family court bundle checklist for parents representing themselves (England and Wales)
Child arrangements cases in the family court in England and Wales. Here is a practical way to organise your papers so you, the other side and the judge can find everything quickly.
The quick version
- Keep every document in one binder, split into the sections below.
- Write down every date and deadline the moment you get it.
- Give each piece of evidence a reference and use it everywhere.
- Number the pages and keep an up-to-date index at the front.
Get the ready-made family court: child arrangements binder on Etsy, or build a personalised sample online.
Dates and deadlines to track
- Application (C100) issued
- First hearing (FHDRA)
- Bundle contents agreed (7 working days before)
- Main bundle sent (5 working days before)
- Preliminary documents (11am, working day before)
- Final hearing date
Always use the exact dates in your court or tribunal letters and orders. Count working days with our free working days calculator.
How to section your bundle
What this binder is for
Case Ready is a document organisation and preparation tool that helps you present your case materials clearly. This edition is designed with reference to child arrangements cases in the family court in England and Wales, following the judiciary's 2026 guide for litigants in person.
- Organise documents logically
- Keep materials in order
- Prepare for hearings and deadlines
What this binder is not
Case Ready:
- Does not provide legal advice
- Does not tell you what arguments to make
- Does not guarantee any outcome
If you need legal advice, speak to a family solicitor, Advicenow or another free advice service.
How a family court bundle is organised
- E-bundles are now the default, as a single PDF, unless the judge directs a paper bundle.
- The index is the first page and lists documents in the same order as the bundle.
- Sections: A preliminary documents, B applications and orders, C statements, D reports, E other documents.
- In child arrangements cases, pages are numbered by section and restart in each one, for example A001, A002, then B001.
- Bundles are usually limited to 350 pages unless the judge permits more.
Key deadlines in the guide
- 7 working days before the hearing: the parties agree the bundle contents.
- 5 working days before: the main bundle goes to the court and the other parties.
- By 11am the working day before: preliminary documents go to the court and the other parties.
- Add page numbers only after the index has been agreed.
What to leave out
Unless the court has ordered them, the guide says not to include correspondence, emails, texts, social media messages, voice notes, bank statements, contact notes, foster carer logs or photographs. Intimate images need the court's written permission.
Hearings & practicalities
On the day of your hearing:
- Bring the copies you have been asked for
- Keep this binder with you
- Use it to find documents quickly
Judges, tribunal members and staff expect parties to be organised and to follow procedure.
Before your hearing
- Documents are filed in the right sections
- Pages are numbered in sequence
- Evidence is labelled and easy to reference
- The chronology is clear and up to date
- Court orders and deadlines are recorded
- Documents are in date order unless directed otherwise
- Confidential material is kept separate
- Copies are ready for the hearing
- The binder is easy to navigate quickly
Save time with Case Ready
Case Ready is a printable, fillable case binder for family court: child arrangements: front sheet, dividers, key dates sheet, evidence index and more, with your case details on every page. Type into it on screen or print it at home.
This binder is a general organisational aid. Procedure varies by court, tribunal and case type. You are responsible for following the rules, orders and directions that apply in your case. Nothing in this binder is legal advice.