WHAT IS FORM C120 USED FOR?

Form C120 is a witness statement template used in court proceedings for child arrangements where there is a parental dispute. The information in this statement will help the judge/magistrate to make decisions. 

You will normally send your completed form C120 and any attachments alongside form C100 (the application form used to start court proceedings for child arrangements) or form C2 (the application form used to ask for a court order or court directions within existing proceedings relating to children) to the court.

LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE FOR FORM C100

LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE FOR FORM C2

You will receive a copy of your ex-partner’s response to this form.

ARE THERE ANY GOVERNMENT OR OUR OWN HELP GUIDES OR WRITE UPS TO HELP YOU COMPLETE FORM C120?

There are no specific government guides for this form at present. 

WHAT IS THE FEE TO SEND FORM C120 TO THE COURT AND HOW TO PAY FOR IT?

There is no fee to use or send this template/form to the court.

HOW TO COMPLETE FORM C120 AND WHERE TO SEND IT.

• NOTE 1 – If you initiated court proceedings for child arrangements by submitting form C100 or form C2 you are known as the applicant or petitioner. Your ex-partner is known as the respondent.
• NOTE 2 – You can complete this form online and then print a hard copy. Alternatively you can download it, print it and then complete by black pen. 
• NOTE  3- If you find there is not enough space to complete your answers on your form then please use additional sheets of paper to continue on and attach them to your form. Please write your name, address and question number on the top of your additional sheets of paper. 
• NOTE 4 – Please send at least 3-4 copies of form C120, any evidence and attachments and any other forms to the court. The court will distribute the copies accordingly. One copy is required for the court, one for Cafcass and one for each party in the proceedings.
• NOTE 5 – Please keep a copy of your form C120, all evidence and attachments, sheets and forms for yourself outside of the ones you send to the family court.
• Form C120 is 10 pages long.
• Form C120 has been designed by the government for litigants in person to use. You do not have to fill in any sections that do not apply to you.
• On page 1 of form C120 will ask you to write your name in the box as the parent completing the form.
• Then you will be asked to give the full name and date of birth of the child(ren) and whom they live with.
• Part 1 will ask you whether the child(ren) have any medical problems and if they do to detail them.
• Part 2 will ask you if you and the other parent live together, when did you start living together and when did you separate.
• Part 3 asks you to give details of your separation.
• Part 4 will ask you to detail what child arrangements you and your ex-partner/other parent have in place before these court proceedings were started and when and how often did the other parent spend time with the child(ren).
• Part 5 will ask you to detail the child(ren)’s routine during the weekdays and the weekend and the involvement of each parent and are there any other family members that help with the child(ren).
• Part 6 will ask you what hours you work if you do and who looks after the child(ren) during these hours.
• Part 7 asks you to describe the home(s) where the child(ren) stay and spend time such as how many bedrooms and what are the sleeping arrangements for the child(ren).
• Part 8 will ask you how far away do you live from the other parent.
• Part 9 asks you how long does the journey to the other parent take by car or public transport.
• Part 10 asks you how far away the child(ren)’s school is from your home and how do they get to school.
• Part 11 asks you to describe the child(ren)’s hobbies, past times and out of school activities. 
• Part 12 asks you to describe the child(ren)’s personality, likes and dislikes and their needs.
• Part 13 will ask you if there are any concerns about the child(ren)’s schooling and if yes you will need to give details.
• Part 14 will ask you about the child(ren)’s past and current relationship with the other parent, whether you think it needs to improve and how can the court help to do this.
• Part 15 asks you how the child(ren) are coping with the separation of their parents and the current issues between you and the other parent.
• Part 16 is asking what arrangements are you asking the court to implement, who the child(ren) should live with, and how much time should the child(ren) spend with the other parent. You need to give reasons for your answers.
• Part 17 will ask you whether you have any concerns about the other parents parenting ability and if yes you must detail them.
• Part 18 will ask you if you or the child(ren) have been involved with social services or the police. If yes you must give details in the relevant boxes.
• Part 19 will ask you what steps have you taken to try and reach an agreement about child arrangements with the other parent and what is preventing you both reaching an agreement. You are asked not to include any discussions in mediation sessions. 
•  Part 20 will ask you what you can do to help the court in making a parenting order that both parents will be happy with and be good for the child(ren)’s welfare.
• Part 21 will ask you for any other relevant details to this application.
• You will be then asked to sign a statement of truth at the end of page 10.
• If you need to attach any evidence you must do so. If you need to continue your answers on a separate sheet of paper if you run out of space please do so and attach it to your form C120. Please write your full name, date of birth, case number and question number on the top of the sheet.
• You can attach your form C120 to your form C100 or form C2 when you send them in or you can send it to the court afterwards. 

WHERE CAN YOU FIND FORM C120/DOWNLOAD THIS FORM?

Please click on the link below to download form C120 from the government website. Please complete and attach to the relevant form. Then, send by signed for recorded delivery.

LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE FOR FORM C120

WHEN WAS FORM C120 FIRST PUBLISHED AND LAST UPDATED?

Form C120 was first published by the government (HM Courts & Tribunals Service) on 01-11-2014 and it was last updated on 11-02-2021.