False allegations in family court
False allegations can occur in child arrangement disputes. They range from exaggerated claims about parenting to serious accusations of abuse, violence or neglect. The family court takes all allegations seriously and investigates them. How you respond matters regardless of severity.
Stay calm. Reacting with anger or making counter-accusations will rarely help your case. Focus on evidence and let the court process work.
Gather anything that contradicts the allegations. This might include text messages, emails, photos, medical records or witness statements. Organise materials by date and consider keeping a log of relevant incidents with times and any witnesses present. If you have evidence that directly shows an allegation is untrue, make sure your solicitor or the court sees it.
Do not try to contact the other parent to argue about what they have said. Always check the most recent court orders to confirm what contact arrangements and restrictions apply. Breaking them will damage your position. Communicate through solicitors or the court if needed.
Perjury means deliberately lying under oath and is a criminal offence. Someone proven to have lied in court can face prosecution and a prison sentence. In practice, perjury charges in family cases are rare. Proving a deliberate intent to deceive, rather than a difference of memory or perception, is difficult. Courts also tend to prioritise resolving family matters over pursuing criminal proceedings.
If you believe the other parent has lied, raise this with the court through proper channels. Point to specific evidence that contradicts their claims. Avoid accusing them of perjury directly unless you have clear proof. Judges are experienced at weighing conflicting accounts.
Draft a court statement for your hearing. Takes 5 minutes.
Try our Court Statement Writer free, here on this site →Working with Cafcass
Cafcass stands for the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service. In contested child arrangement cases, the court will often ask Cafcass to prepare a report. Whether Cafcass becomes involved depends on the nature of the case and the court's discretion. A Cafcass officer, sometimes called a family court adviser, will speak to both parents and often to the children. They may also contact schools, GPs or social services.
The Cafcass report carries significant weight. Judges rely on it to understand the family situation from an independent perspective.
When you meet the Cafcass officer:
- Be honest and straightforward
- Focus on your child's needs rather than criticising the other parent
- Provide relevant documents if asked
- Stay calm even if you disagree with questions or feel the process is unfair
If you believe the Cafcass report contains errors of fact, you can raise this with the court. Write down the specific points you dispute and any evidence that supports your position. You can request a directions hearing to discuss these concerns before a final hearing. The judge can decide what weight to give different parts of the report.
You can complain to Cafcass directly if you feel the officer has acted improperly. Details of their complaints process are on the Cafcass website. Disagreeing with conclusions is not the same as misconduct by the officer.
Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.
Representing yourself in court
Many parents in family proceedings do not have a solicitor. If you are representing yourself, you are called a litigant in person.
Courts are used to this and will usually make some allowances. Judges may explain procedures and give you time to respond to questions. You are still expected to follow court rules, meet deadlines and behave appropriately.
Prepare thoroughly for each hearing. Read all the paperwork in advance. Know what orders you are asking for and why. Bring spare copies of any documents you want to refer to.
Speak clearly. In the magistrates' court, address magistrates as "Sir" or "Madam". In the county court, address the judge as "Judge" or "Your Honour". Do not interrupt. Take notes during the hearing.
If you are unsure about procedure, ask the court clerk before the hearing starts. You can also get guidance from the Citizens Advice website or Support Through Court, a charity that offers free practical and emotional support to people facing court without a lawyer. They do not give legal advice but can help you feel more prepared.
Legal aid is not available for most private family cases. It may be available where there is evidence of domestic abuse or child protection concerns, subject to means and merits tests. Some solicitors offer limited help, such as reviewing documents or advising on specific points, without taking on your whole case. This is sometimes called unbundled legal services.
Useful resources
The GOV.UK website has information on family court procedures, including the CB1 form for applying for child arrangements orders and guidance on what happens at hearings. Cafcass publishes guidance for parents explaining what to expect from their involvement.
Support Through Court operates at many court buildings and can help you understand what to expect on the day.
Keep records of everything. Courts rely on evidence, not impressions. The more organised you are, the better you can present your case.
His ex has claimed he is a drugs dealer. Totally false.
Will she have to prove false allegations?
My son has stuck to the truth throughout. He only wants contact with his baby boy
I had a C79 application hearing against mother other week, and gave a 2nd amendment of 5 further breaches going into court.
I was left in shock of how representing yourself due to costs, even as a good father to your children , by remote hearing, the judge come on, said ge needed to adjourn case as defendent mother wasnt represented today as she didnt receive application papers and her solicitor couldnt make it, she told judge she chased it up and incorrect address was given for herself, it was a lie , address on C79 application on checking was correct, then week before I had returned kids after school hols 9 days and nights with myself, mum agreed they had a good time,
the judge then established ongoing access until her upcoming c100 hearing asking for amendments, to limit access further based on false allegations, where evidence in my c79 applications proves to be false, he actually quoted for her, intentions clearly send to him ahead my C79 application hearing, stating all the intentions and false allegations mothers making in her upcoming hearing, and used this as s bias yo set on going access contact for myself until her hearing!which ended up offering me 4 hours daytime conta t when you take drive time out of the six hours to and from my home, I had to decline this, as stating this would devastate kids, who dont like returning to mum as it is and wasnt prepared after just having them finally as per contact order, for a long period previously too to destroy particularly my oldest mentally and emotionally by accepting this contact it wasnt in their best interests and goes against current court order and the basis the judge led the defendent on was from evidence and allegations she is making in another upcoming hearing.Barely allowing me to speak but allowed mother to rattle of so many lies,these poor children they have have conta t constantly breached by mother since last year when made, now got same judge who made order, allowing mother to hijack the hearing I had waited 4 months to be heard to show how malicious shes been and affecting the boys mental and emotional health so badly mine too preventing us having the loving relationship we have together, which was supposed to be adjourned, to use the court hearing to put her own upcoming case forward in it, clearly led by the judge reciting for her what her solicitor had sent yo him pre hearing,
So only have phone contact now until then.
This, having clearly a biased hearing, the children left in huge emotional turmoil, having had their dad ripped away from them again, it's been 7 times since last year shes done it yo them, al, unfounded allegations, I finally defend myself by self representation with family help as I'm dyslexic, to ensure the boys rights and needs are met in their best interests and I'm trampled all over in a hearing that wasnt used for purpose and a judge clearly led by her solicitor who reckoned had to adjourn cae as her client wasnt represented.
Lost faith in
Thank you for taking the time to assist those who’s only resource may be you.
Many thanks
I feel so lost I cry a lot I pray someone will hear my cry.
Only constant thing in all 3 statements is that she said she was thrown out, in the family court when I mentioned the safety of my mother as my ex had ran off with my keys, she later on the spot changed her story saying she took the house keys...you don't get thrown out the house and then given houses keys, passport and suitcase.
Unfortunately in the family court my solicitor failed to write up any evidence and requested and comeback date which was denied - I was furious at my solicitor and had to accept, but denied the charges.
I have screen shots/text of 18/24 claims she made on her statement. One major claim was that I sent death threat to her, but because she lost her phone she lost the email. Any email I send to anyone gets tracked/ I get notification. She accessed 2 emails whilst IN the court waiting area, I also have record of her reading my 4-5 emails I sent almost 100 times ( case was I harassed her)she also later resigned the amended statement agreeing to the changes of me allowing access to a part of town.
The Home Office has allowed her to stay, but I wish to represent myself in court/high court. If I can get a criminal record put on her, she cannot stay permanently, whereas for now she can stay until the end of 2019.
Can I represent myself on this claim? I am not entitled to legal aid, but I cannot afford lawyers etc
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