Court Proceedings
In 'private law' cases (where Social Services are not involved) either a Magistrates Court or a County Court can make a decision about a child's welfare. The Court should cover the area where the child currently lives - court addresses and telephone numbers are in the Phone Book under 'Courts'.
The paperwork is simple, Form C1 can be obtained from the Court Office or the Court Service website plus the fee : applicants on Income Support or Tax Credit may be exempt. Depending on the type of application, other forms may be needed as well.
Most courts have some kind of mediation or conciliation procedure, diverting disputes to a Court Welfare Officer who will see the parties and maybe also the child, before any decision is made by a judge or magistrate. If the dispute cannot be resolved amicably, then the court will set a timetable and may want an independent report from another Court Welfare Officer before a final hearing.
Disputed cases take on average four to six months before a final hearing, from the first 'directions' appointment. But the court has power to make 'interim' orders for the meantime, and may make any kind of order in an emergency, usually (but not necessarily) after hearing both parties in a half-hour hearing.