Children Act 1989, section 10

Power of court to make section 8 orders

Part II Orders With Respect To Children In Family Proceedings

(1)In any family proceedings in which a question arises with respect to the welfare of any child, the court may make a section 8 order with respect to the child if—

(a)an application for the order has been made by a person who—

(i)is entitled to apply for a section 8 order with respect to the child; or

(ii)has obtained the leave of the court to make the application; or

(b)the court considers that the order should be made even though no such application has been made.

(2)The court may also make a section 8 order with respect to any child on the application of a person who—

(a)is entitled to apply for a section 8 order with respect to the child; or

(b)has obtained the leave of the court to make the application.

(3)This section is subject to the restrictions imposed by section 9.

(4)The following persons are entitled to apply to the court for any section 8 order with respect to a child—

(a)any parent[F52 , guardian or special guardianF52] of the child;

[F53 (aa)any person who by virtue of section 4A has parental responsibility for the child;F53]

[F54 (b)any person who is named, in a child arrangements order that is in force with respect to the child, as a person with whom the child is to live.F54]

(5)The following persons are entitled to apply for a [F55child arrangementsF55] order with respect to a child—

(a)any party to a marriage (whether or not subsisting) in relation to whom the child is a child of the family;

[F56 (aa)any civil partner in a civil partnership (whether or not subsisting) in relation to whom the child is a child of the family;F56]

(b)any person with whom the child has lived for a period of at least three years;

(c)any person who—

[F57 (i)in any case where a child arrangements order in force with respect to the child regulates arrangements relating to with whom the child is to live or when the child is to live with any person, has the consent of each of the persons named in the order as a person with whom the child is to live;F57]

(ii)in any case where the child is in the care of a local authority, has the consent of that authority; or

(iii)in any other case, has the consent of each of those (if any) who have parental responsibility for the child.

[F58 (d)any person who has parental responsibility for the child by virtue of provision made under section 12(2A).F58]

[F59 (5A)A local authority foster parent is entitled to apply for a [F60 child arrangements order to which subsection (5C) applies F60] with respect to a child if the child has lived with him for a period of at least one year immediately preceding the application.F59]

[F61 (5B)A relative of a child is entitled to apply for a [F62 child arrangements order to which subsection (5C) applies F62] with respect to the child if the child has lived with the relative for a period of at least one year immediately preceding the application.F61]

[F63 (5C)This subsection applies to a child arrangements order if the arrangements regulated by the order relate only to either or both of the following—

(a)with whom the child concerned is to live, and

(b)when the child is to live with any person.F63]

(6)A person who would not otherwise be entitled (under the previous provisions of this section) to apply for the variation or discharge of a section 8 order shall be entitled to do so if—

(a)the order was made on his application; or

(b)in the case of a [F64child arrangementsF64] order, he is named in [F65provisions of the order regulating arrangements relating to—

(i)with whom the child concerned is to spend time or otherwise have contact, or

(ii)when the child is to spend time or otherwise have contact with any person.F65]

(7)Any person who falls within a category of person prescribed by rules of court is entitled to apply for any such section 8 order as may be prescribed in relation to that category of person.

[F66 (7A)If a special guardianship order is in force with respect to a child, an application for a [F67 child arrangements order to which subsection (7B) applies F67] may only be made with respect to him, if apart from this subsection the leave of the court is not required, with such leave.F66]

[F68 (7B)This subsection applies to a child arrangements order if the arrangements regulated by the order consist of, or include, arrangements which relate to either or both of the following—

(a)with whom the child concerned is to live, and

(b)when the child is to live with any person.F68]

(8)Where the person applying for leave to make an application for a section 8 order is the child concerned, the court may only grant leave if it is satisfied that he has sufficient understanding to make the proposed application for the section 8 order.

(9)Where the person applying for leave to make an application for a section 8 order is not the child concerned, the court shall, in deciding whether or not to grant leave, have particular regard to—

(a)the nature of the proposed application for the section 8 order;

(b)the applicant’s connection with the child;

(c)any risk there might be of that proposed application disrupting the child’s life to such an extent that he would be harmed by it; and

(d)where the child is being looked after by a local authority—

(i)the authority’s plans for the child’s future; and

(ii)the wishes and feelings of the child’s parents.

(10)The period of three years mentioned in subsection (5)(b) need not be continuous but must not have begun more than five years before, or ended more than three months before, the making of the application.

Definitions used in section 10 14

family proceedings

“family proceedings” has the meaning given by section 8(3);

Defined in s.105(1) · see it in the full Act

(3) For the purposes of this Act “family proceedings” means any proceedings—

(a)under the inherent jurisdiction of the High Court in relation to children; and

(b)under the enactments mentioned in subsection (4),

Defined in s.8(3) · see it in the full Act
child

16 (1) In this Schedule “child” includes, in any case where an application is made under paragraph 2 or 6 in relation to a person who has reached the age of eighteen, that person.

Defined in Sch.1 para.16(1) · see it in the full Act

“child” means, subject to paragraph 16 of Schedule 1, a person under the age of eighteen;

Defined in s.105(1) · see it in the full Act
the court

(7) For the purposes of this Act “the court” means the High Court or the family court .

Defined in s.92(7) · see it in the full Act
the order

(a) an order under paragraph 1(2)(a) or (b) for the making or securing of periodical payments in favour of more than one child (“the order") is in force;

Defined in Sch.1 para.6(9) · see it in the full Act
parent

(2) In this Schedule, except paragraphs 2 and 15, “parent” includes—

(a) any party to a marriage (whether or not subsisting) in relation to whom the child concerned is a child of the family, and

(b) any civil partner in a civil partnership (whether or not subsisting) in relation to whom the child concerned is a child of the family;

Defined in Sch.1 para.16(2) · see it in the full Act

21 In this Part of this Schedule “parent” has the same meaning as in the Education Act 1996 . ).

Defined in Sch.3 para.21 · see it in the full Act
special guardian

“special guardian” and “special guardianship order” have the meaning given by section 14A;

Defined in s.105(1) · see it in the full Act
parental responsibility

“parental responsibility” has the meaning given in section 3;

Defined in s.105(1) · see it in the full Act

(1) In this Act “parental responsibility” means all the rights, duties, powers, responsibilities and authority which by law a parent of a child has in relation to the child and his property.

Defined in s.3(1) · see it in the full Act
child arrangements order

"child arrangements order " means an order regulating arrangements relating to any of the following—

(a)

with whom a child is to live, spend time or otherwise have contact, and

(b)

when a child is to live, spend time or otherwise have contact with any person;

Defined in s.8(1) · see it in the full Act

“child arrangements order” has the meaning given by section 8(1);

Defined in s.105(1) · see it in the full Act
child of the family

“child of the family”, in relation to parties to a marriage, or to two people who are civil partners of each other, means—

(a)

a child of both of them, and

(b)

any other child, other than a child placed with them as foster parents by a local authority or voluntary organisation, who has been treated by both of them as a child of their family ;

Defined in s.105(1) · see it in the full Act
local authority

“local authority” means, in relation to England ..., the council of a county, a metropolitan district, a London Borough or the Common Council of the City of London in relation to Wales, the council of a county or a county borough and, in relation to Scotland, a local authority within the meaning of section 1(2) of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 ;

Defined in s.105(1) · see it in the full Act
local authority foster parent

“local authority foster parent” means a person authorised as such in accordance with regulations made by virtue of—

(a)

paragraph 12F of Schedule 2; or

(b)

sections 87 and 93 of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 (regulations providing for approval of local authority foster parents);

Defined in s.105(1) · see it in the full Act

“local authority foster parent” has the meaning given in section 22C(12);

Defined in s.105(1) · see it in the full Act
relative

“relative”, in relation to a child, means a grandparent, brother, sister, uncle or aunt (whether of the full blood or half blood or by marriage or civil partnership) or step-parent;

Defined in s.105(1) · see it in the full Act
prescribed

“prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made under this Act;

Defined in s.105(1) · see it in the full Act
special guardianship order

“special guardian” and “special guardianship order” have the meaning given by section 14A;

Defined in s.105(1) · see it in the full Act

Cases considering section 10 88

In the matter of NY (A Child)

[2019] UKSC 49 · 30 October 2019

Section 10 empowers the court to make the section 8(1) orders, including a specific issue order for a child's summary return. The availability of that jurisdiction does not exclude the inherent jurisdiction (see paras [27]; [40]-[44]). A specific issue order may be made without an application. By analogy with that express power and the flexibility of the inherent jurisdiction, an inherent-jurisdiction order may also be made on the court's own motion, subject to adequate notice (see para [54]).

S (A Child), Re

[2023] EWCA Civ 706 · 20 June 2023Disapplies

The court disapplies the section 10(9) factors because they govern joinder in section 8 private-law proceedings, not joinder under rule 12.3(3)(a) in care proceedings. (see para [12])

Re S (Children: Party Status)

[2022] EWCA Civ 1717 · 22 December 2022Interprets

The court interpreted section 10(9) as identifying factors requiring particular regard in a joinder assessment, not as a test or exhaustive code. Those factors include the proposed intervention, the applicant’s connection, risk of harmful disruption, local-authority plans and parental wishes. (see paras [2], [3], [25])

68 more judgments, and what each says about section 10, are in the case-law panel in the full Act.

Amendments and notes

18 notes from legislation.gov.uk

Amendments

  1. F52Words in s. 10(4)(a) substituted (30.12.2005) by 2002 c. 38, ss. 139, 148, Sch. 3 para. 56(a) (with Sch. 4 paras. 6-8); S.I. 2005/2213, art. 2(o)
  2. F53S. 10(4)(aa) inserted (30.12.2005) by 2002 c. 38, ss. 139, 148, Sch. 3 para. 56(b) (with Sch. 4 paras. 6-8); S.I. 2005/2213, art. 2(o)
  3. F54S. 10(4)(b) substituted (22.4.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 2 para. 5(2); S.I. 2014/889, art. 4(f) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2014/1042, arts. 3, 4, 6-10) this amendment is subject to savings and/or transitional provisions, see the commentary.
  4. F55Words in s. 10(5) substituted (22.4.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 2 para. 5(3)(a); S.I. 2014/889, art. 4(f) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2014/1042, arts. 3, 4, 6-10) this amendment is subject to savings and/or transitional provisions, see the commentary.
  5. F56S. 10(5)(aa) inserted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 77; S.I. 2005/3175, art. 2(1), Sch. 1
  6. F57S. 10(5)(c)(i) substituted (22.4.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 2 para. 5(3)(b); S.I. 2014/889, art. 4(f) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2014/1042, arts. 3, 4, 6-10) this amendment is subject to savings and/or transitional provisions, see the commentary.
  7. F58S. 10(5)(d) inserted (22.4.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 2 para. 5(3)(c); S.I. 2014/889, art. 4(f) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2014/1042, arts. 3, 4, 6-10) this amendment is subject to savings and/or transitional provisions, see the commentary.
  8. F59S. 10(5A) inserted (30.12.2005) by 2002 c. 38, ss. 139, 148, Sch. 3 para. 56(c) (with Sch. 4 paras. 6-8); S.I. 2005/2213, art. 2(o)
  9. F60Words in s. 10(5A) substituted (22.4.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 2 para. 5(4); S.I. 2014/889, art. 4(f) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2014/1042, arts. 3, 4, 6-10) this amendment is subject to savings and/or transitional provisions, see the commentary.
  10. F61S. 10(5B) inserted (1.9.2009) by Children and Young Persons Act 2008 (c. 23), ss. 36, 44; S.I. 2009/1921, art. 2(a); S.I. 2009/2273, art. 2(2)(j)
  11. F62Words in s. 10(5B) substituted (22.4.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 2 para. 5(4); S.I. 2014/889, art. 4(f) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2014/1042, arts. 3, 4, 6-10) this amendment is subject to savings and/or transitional provisions, see the commentary.
  12. F63S. 10(5C) inserted (22.4.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 2 para. 5(5); S.I. 2014/889, art. 4(f) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2014/1042, arts. 3, 4, 6-10) this amendment is subject to savings and/or transitional provisions, see the commentary.
  13. F64Words in s. 10(6)(b) substituted (22.4.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 2 para. 5(6)(a); S.I. 2014/889, art. 4(f) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2014/1042, arts. 3, 4, 6-10) this amendment is subject to savings and/or transitional provisions, see the commentary.
  14. F65Words in s. 10(6)(b) substituted (22.4.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 2 para. 5(6)(b); S.I. 2014/889, art. 4(f) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2014/1042, arts. 3, 4, 6-10) this amendment is subject to savings and/or transitional provisions, see the commentary.
  15. F66S. 10(7A) inserted (30.12.2005) by 2002 c. 38, ss. 139, 148, Sch. 3 para. 56(d) (with Sch. 4 paras. 6-8); S.I. 2005/2213, art. 2(o)
  16. F67Words in s. 10(7A) substituted (22.4.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 2 para. 5(7); S.I. 2014/889, art. 4(f) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2014/1042, arts. 3, 4, 6-10) this amendment is subject to savings and/or transitional provisions, see the commentary.
  17. F68S. 10(7B) inserted (22.4.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 2 para. 5(8); S.I. 2014/889, art. 4(f) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2014/1042, arts. 3, 4, 6-10) this amendment is subject to savings and/or transitional provisions, see the commentary.

Commencement

  1. I10S. 10 wholly in force at the 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)