C1A form - family court.

[Toomuchwine89]

Has anyone got any advice regarding how to fill this in? My solicitor told me to write down everything, but the form guidelines state to keep it brief and not to write a full statement, so I'm confused. Thank you!

Also I don't know which to tick out of

Supervised
Unsupervised
Indirect contact

I don't know what's best and I don't want to look like I'm preventing contact!

If you are completing the C1A yourself, your solicitor wants you to record brief descriptions of all the incidents. You will be able to make a full statement later.

There is no right answer as to which boxes to tick. If you are happy for the child/ren to spend time with your ex without anyone supervising, say yes to supervised. If you are unhappy with that, say no. The same for the other boxes. If you really don't want your ex to have any contact at all and can show good reasons (e.g. valid fears for the children's safety), tick no for all three.

Thank you! I've used each box to mention 5 different types of abuse. Just wish there was more space! I don't want to be hit with "well you didn't mention that before..." later down the line!

Oh of course no contact would be great but I know they're not going to order that 😞 and I'm petrified of being seen as obstructive

How’s it going?
did you highlight your concerns to cafcass?

Yep, and they've been fucking useless! Ugh

I highlighted my concerns and linked them to the welfare checklist

what stage are you at?

Just waiting for court. Ex asking for me back. Fed up with refuge. Aaaghhh!

FDRHA?
don’t go back
it will completely undermine your concerns

Yep that's the one. It's going to bleed me dry for the same result anyway 😩

then self represent?

There’s Facebook groups and websites that can help
also support through court and pro bono advice from students

both will come into court with you

also your IDVA can

There's no way I'd dare self represent.

I'm hoping once my savings have gone, I can apply for legal aid

That’s so sad I’m sorry
but yea you should do
you still want to take full control though and know the ins and outs of your arguments

they Will always recommend contact unless dad is a direct risk to the child

the welfare checklist is what they use

Yeh cunts always get contact 🙄

They always push for contact as the child's right to a relationship with both parents unless the parent is a proven direct risk of harm to the child.

I don't know your case but all I can say is use the welfare checklist to highlight the risk. It's all solicitors will do.

Highlight the risk to your own wellbeing as that comes into account.

Oh I know that but they don't give a shit about emotional harm

It's horrible I know because the judges don't go over each case on its merits but more of a tickbox. So they prioritise child's right to a parent and then rely on Cafcass to highlight any risks. So really it all kind of depends on your conversation with Cafcass is what I'm realising my second time around.

They do if Cafcass identify it

I tried my best with CAFCASS but all he's had to say is that he's worried about parental alienation and that's all they're bothered about now 🙄