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How to apply for a child arrangements order at a Pathfinder court
If you are struggling to agree arrangements for your children, you may need to apply to the family court. The process you have to follow will depend on whether the court is a ‘Pathfinder’ court or not. This guide is for people applying to a Pathfinder court. It explains what a Pathfinder court is, which courts are Pathfinder courts, how the process works and what you need to do – step-by-step. This guide is for England and Wales only.
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What to do before you apply to the family court about your children
If you are thinking about applying for a child arrangements order without a lawyer there are things you need to do first. Our guide explains what you need to do, how to reach an agreement, how to avoid delays and avoid the risk of court orders being made against you. This guide is for England and Wales only.
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Thinking about divorcing
If you are just beginning to think about divorce there are a few things about the process that are really useful to understand at the outset. This information applies to England and Wales only.
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Five Basics: a London‑wide campaign to improve temporary accommodation ahead of the May 2026 local elections
Across London, thousands of families are being placed in conditions that lack even the essentials needed to live with dignity. The Five Basics are not luxuries—they are the minimum every household should have: - Cooking facilities - Access to laundry facilities - Reliable, free Wi‑Fi - Secure, free...
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How to get free legal advice about your civil case
It is not easy to find free legal advice about your civil case but here we explain how you may be able to find some and where to try. This includes cases about a breach of contract, housing, debt, bankruptcy, community care, and personal injury. It is a good idea to start trying to get advice as soon as you can. This information applies to England and Wales.
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How to apply for a child arrangements order without a lawyer
Understand how to go to court about child arrangements without a lawyer. If you're a parent and you disagree with your child’s other parent (or other family members) about where your child lives, who they live with, and how often they see the parent they don’t live with most of the time, then this guide is for you. Some people call this child custody or residence and contact (and talk about joint custody or sole custody) but that isn't what the law calls them anymore. England and Wales only.
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What evidence do you need to sue someone?
This guide explains what evidence you will need to prove your case in a civil claim and what you need to do with it. It also explains why you should gather it as soon as possible and what to do to ensure it is not lost. The information in this guide applies to England and Wales.
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Right to rent checks
To prove your ‘right to rent’ in England, you have to show your landlord a right to rent ‘share code’, immigration document or other evidence that you have permission to enter or remain in the UK. Understand how to get ready to rent and deal with right to rent checks. The information in this guide applies to England only.
