What is a C1A form? (Allegations of Harm)

If you are applying to the family court about arrangements for a child and there are concerns about harm or domestic abuse, you may come across Form C1A.

C1A is a supplementary form used to provide information about allegations of harm or domestic abuse. It can be used by someone making an application or by someone responding to allegations made by the other person. (GOV.UK)

The current C1A form is published by HM Courts & Tribunals Service and was updated in June 2026. (GOV.UK)

What is the C1A for?

The purpose of the form is to give the court information about harm that a person, or a child, has suffered or may be at risk of suffering.

It can also be used to respond to allegations made by another person.

The form is designed to be used alongside the main application where appropriate. For example, GOV.UK explains that a C1A can accompany a C100 application when relevant. (GOV.UK)

What does “harm” mean?

“Harm” is a broad term.

The concerns described in the C1A process can include domestic abuse and other forms of harm affecting adults or children.

The form asks for information that allows the court to understand the nature of the concerns being raised. The precise questions can change as forms are updated, so it is important to use the current version rather than relying on an old copy downloaded from another website.

Can the respondent use a C1A?

Yes.

The C1A is not only for the person making the original application.

It can be used to respond to allegations made by another person. This means that if allegations of harm have been made against you, the form provides a mechanism for responding to those allegations. (GOV.UK)

What kind of information is relevant?

The form is intended to provide relevant information about the alleged harm or risk of harm.

When completing any court form, it is generally important to distinguish between what you personally know, what you believe happened and information that someone else has given you.

Specific questions on the current form should be answered carefully and in the way requested.

It is also important to avoid treating the C1A as an opportunity to include every disagreement you have ever had with the other person. The information should be relevant to the issues the form asks about.

What happens after the C1A is submitted?

The information can be considered by the court and, where appropriate, Cafcass.

The court may need to consider whether the allegations affect the way the proceedings should be managed, including questions about safety, evidence and contact arrangements.

Practice Direction 12J provides specific guidance for child arrangements proceedings involving allegations of domestic abuse or other harm. It covers issues including risk assessment, fact-finding hearings and arrangements for contact. (GOV.UK Justice)

The existence of a C1A does not itself mean that the allegations have been proved. It is a way of providing information to the court.

What if I disagree with the allegations?

If you are responding to allegations, the C1A provides an opportunity to give the court your response.

That does not mean simply writing that everything is untrue. The court may need to understand which allegations are disputed, what your position is and what evidence or information is relevant.

The appropriate response will depend on the allegations and the directions made in the individual case.

Is a C1A the same as a witness statement?

No.

A C1A is a court form designed to provide specific information about allegations of harm or domestic abuse.

A witness statement is a separate type of written evidence. It normally contains a person's evidence in their own words and is prepared according to the applicable rules and directions.

A C1A may therefore be part of the information before the court without being a substitute for every other piece of evidence that may later be required.

What if there is an immediate safety concern?

If there is an immediate concern about someone's safety, the appropriate response may involve matters outside the ordinary timetable of family proceedings.

Family court procedure includes mechanisms for urgent applications, and the court can make decisions about how a case should be handled where necessary. The precise procedure depends on the circumstances.

It is important not to assume that completing a C1A is, by itself, an emergency safeguarding response.

Use the current form

Court forms can be amended.

The official GOV.UK page for Form C1A currently states that the form was last updated on 1 June 2026 and directs users to read the guidance at the end of the form before completing it. (GOV.UK)

That is particularly important when using information found in older articles or videos.

The C1A is essentially a way of putting information about alleged harm or domestic abuse before the family court. It does not decide whether an allegation is true. What happens to the allegations afterwards depends on the evidence, the issues in the case and the directions made by the court.