Children Act 1989, section 11

General principles and supplementary provisions

Part II Orders With Respect To Children In Family Proceedings

(1)In proceedings in which any question of making a section 8 order, or any other question with respect to such an order, arises, the court shall (in the light of any [F69provision in rules of court that is of the kind mentioned in subsection (2)(a) or (b)) F69] —

(a)draw up a timetable with a view to determining the question without delay; and

(b)give such directions as it considers appropriate for the purpose of ensuring, so far as is reasonably practicable, that that timetable is adhered to.

(2)Rules of court may—

(a)specify periods within which specified steps must be taken in relation to proceedings in which such questions arise; and

(b)make other provision with respect to such proceedings for the purpose of ensuring, so far as is reasonably practicable, that such questions are determined without delay.

(3)Where a court has power to make a section 8 order, it may do so at any time during the course of the proceedings in question even though it is not in a position to dispose finally of those proceedings.

F70(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5)Where—

(a)a [F71child arrangementsF71] order has been made with respect to a child; and

(b)[F72 the child hasF72] two parents who each have parental responsibility for him,

the [F73order, so far as it has the result that there are times when the child lives or is to live with one of the parents,F73] shall cease to have effect if the parents live together for a continuous period of more than six months.

(6)[F74 A child arrangements order made with respect to a child, so far as it provides for the child to spend time or otherwise have contact with one of the child's parents at times when the child is living with the child's other parent, F74] shall cease to have effect if the parents live together for a continuous period of more than six months.

(7)A section 8 order may—

(a)contain directions about how it is to be carried into effect;

(b)impose conditions which must be complied with by any person—

[F75 (i)who is named in the order as a person with whom the child concerned is to live, spend time or otherwise have contact;F75]

(ii)F76who is a parent of the child ...;

(iii)who is not a parent of his but who has parental responsibility for him; or

(iv)with whom the child is living,

and to whom the conditions are expressed to apply;

(c)be made to have effect for a specified period, or contain provisions which are to have effect for a specified period;

(d)make such incidental, supplemental or consequential provision as the court thinks fit.

Definitions used in section 11 6

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
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
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
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
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

Cases considering section 11 51

F & G, Re (Discharge of Special Guardianship Order)

[2021] EWCA Civ 622 · 30 April 2021

Applies the power to attach conditions governing the special guardian’s exercise of parental responsibility. The condition requiring advance written notice would have been upheld as proportionate. (see paras [31]; [64])

The Secretary of State for the Home Department v GD (Ghana) (Rev 1)

[2017] EWCA Civ 1126 · 25 July 2017

Provides that a residence order ceases to have effect when parents with parental responsibility live together continuously for more than six months. The court applied that rule and concluded that the order had ceased by 24 October 2013 (see paras [27]-[28]).

D (Children)

[2016] EWCA Civ 89 · 11 February 2016Interprets

The court interpreted section 11(7) as permitting precise conditions in a contact order for payment of supervision costs, including limits on chargeable work and payment in advance. It did not confer jurisdiction to adjudicate a later contractual dispute with a non-party (see para [55]).

31 more judgments, and what each says about section 11, are in the case-law panel in the full Act.

Amendments and notes

10 notes from legislation.gov.uk

Amendments

  1. F69Words in s. 11(1) substituted (22.4.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), ss. 14(5), 139(6); S.I. 2014/889, art. 4(c) (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.
  2. F70S. 11(4) omitted (22.4.2014) by virtue of Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 2 para. 6(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.
  3. F71Words in s. 11(5)(a) substituted (22.4.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 2 para. 6(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.
  4. F72Words in s. 11(5)(b) substituted (22.4.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 2 para. 6(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.
  5. F73Words in s. 11(5)(b) substituted (22.4.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 2 para. 6(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.
  6. F74Words in s. 11(6) substituted (22.4.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 2 para. 6(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.
  7. F75S. 11(7)(b)(i) substituted (22.4.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 2 para. 6(5)(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.
  8. F76Word in s. 11(7)(b)(ii) omiited (22.4.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 2 para. 6(5)(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.

Modifications

  1. C13S. 11(3) restricted (14. 10. 1991) by S.I. 1991/1395, r.28

Commencement

  1. I11S. 11 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)