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.

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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
What could i do if i have evidence of my ex lying to leave the country with my daughter. I lost my daughter despite a CAFFCASS report in my favour advising the judge not to let my ex live abroad permanently. Now i have not seen my daughter for more than 12 months as the mother is not following what the agreement saya . She is now instead trying to change history in Spain trying to modify the order completely . I have evidence now that she lie to the court in the Uk.
Thanks
Then when she starts saying stuff about me an I get questioned I'll just my concerns are my daughter an that is all I will say throughout her speak or her solicitor speaking , because at the end of the day my it's true , she tried to kill me in the car with the baby inside but I won't bring that up in court there is no need to them days are done my concerns are my daughter oh an your honour I would like to take a D&N test please but would like the mother to take one please just for safe guarding , thank you. Let me know what you think ?
My partner is going through hell and it seems like the law is set up only to protect the mother. He and his ex partner has split but he simply wants access to his child on a regular basis, however although the mother has a history of mental issues relating to Post partum depression. On her evaluation she even confessed to having suicidal thoughts and wanting to kill the child. This information was presented in court but instead of her being under scrutiny, her allegations against my partner that he abuses alcohol and drugs, where brought under scrutiny so much so, he had to do tests to prove he is not abusing drugs or alcohol. All tests came back negative for my partner but yet he continues to not have access to the child although he is paying child support every month. The mother lives with her husband and 3 other children in her family home as she had entered into an affair with my partner and that's how she got pregnant. He has done Parenting classes under the recommendation of cafcass but yet every time he goes to court, the judge keeps deferring the case claiming there Is not enough evidence in order to make a decision and as a result a child is growing up without having a bond with her father. The mother only allows him to see his child when she feels like and that is one time in 2 months or none at all because she has already told him that there is nothing he can do and that he will not see his child because the law supports the mother. So please tell me if there is something he can do because he has even had solicitors in the past who proved to be a waste of time and money because on both occasion his previous solicitor only tried him to get him to coporate with the demands of Cafcass, who wrote in there evaluation that because my partner lives in a one bedroom flat, and the mother lives in a two bedroom house with her husband and 3 other children, then her home environment is a better family unit in comparison to my partners place, although, within in flat he has cot and draws for the child , whilst in the mothers house ,the child is sleeping in the same bed as the mother and her husband and the child has no bed of her own. Please tell me how this is right ?
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So to cut a long story short. I am a black man in early 30's at the time late 20's and we had moved house from the city to the country after finding out we were pregnant and realising we could not afford to live in the city. We were excited and everything seemed to be going well. I had a job waiting for me when we moved, it all seemed to be perfect.
Soon after we moved my partner became depressed. I put it down to the pregnancy and tried to do all I could to help. She became worse after the pregnancy and I had started to become depressed myself. During this time of me being depressed from all of the stress and abuse I haven't mentioned... I met someone who simply new what to say and after a few weeks I began to have an affair. I know it was wrong, it was stupid, it was immoral and I have no excuse for my weakness... but it did happen, and I was found out.
She decided that she wanted to make it work but this was actually a plan to set me up. A few months later, she dialled 999 and began shouting and screaming at me about cheating, and then began to start throwing herself around the room and shouting for help. I was arrested for DV, she was moved into a council house for free as she only worked part time and I was unable to see my daughter because I had no idea where she had been moved to.
In court, it was terrible, I actually felt sorry for her, because her lies were so transparent. After I was proven not guilty I applied for access for my daughter (this was nearly a year after the arrest) it has taken a further year to get into court and now she is claiming I am a drug user! today will be 589 days since I have seen my daughter and it still hurts as much as the first day I was without her. I have now gone in armed with the truth and wisdom and I will make sure that my daughter knows how much I have fought to get her back in the fact finding hearing on 2nd Feb. I only hope that the court will once again see the truth, which Is an emotionally hurt but unstable woman that will do anything to get revenge after my affair. I know I was wrong to do so, but to use our baby as a weapon to inflict emotional torture on both me and our daughter is completely wrong to me. What I would like to know is if she is caught lying in the court on purpose (as she has done it before) is there a way I can get her to pay for those lies at my expense via the court?
I think my son was upset with the situation with her at first and now neither of them try and they simply stay out of each other’s way during access.
Our son is refusing to go to the wedding and nothing will change his mind. What can I do? can his dad force him to go?
On another point his dad has no family his parents are elderly (in late 80 and 90’s) therefore are not attending he has no brothers, sisters cousins, aunts or uncles who would look after our boy during the wedding day and night? I simply feel I would panic that not only is in a foreign country with people he doesn’t know but also would be left with strangers not even with the same language. Potentially he may have English friend who could look after him but this isn’t fair! How do I progress!?
against me witch were made against some one else in there fresh hold in family courts. In my defence that are discrediting me and slandering me from being a father to my partners children
But even though I went into court having not seen my children fr 5 painful months and her demanding I ever had them again. I walked out of the final hearing having gone alone with no solicitor walked out with more organised care than ever, everything I asked for on behalf of th children I was given.
The court order was delivered but she has been chipping away at it from the start. And still actively focused on destroying the positive relationship I and there step Mother have with both children. Attacks my wife even with a babe in arms and frustrates contact, refusing them to come to us regularly.
Now this was bad enough but again she is calling social services and basically making wild accusations and telling lies.
I have done everything by the book, but I need advice on why she can continue to lie to everyone, including the law of the land and overstretched social services just to cause me pain and my wife.
How do I make this stop, how do I make her legally stop.
You can do it.
There are similarities with your situation and mine, although I currently have residency of my grand-child under a child arrangements order. Social services recommended it and the judge made the order. Next time I saw the social worker was at a monthly child in need meeting where she announced the case was now closed. And that is when the trouble began.... Hostility in many firms from both parents and no support for me, left to deal with it alone. And of course there is a toddler being used as a pawn by her parents. Malicious child protection referrals to social services about me all proved unfounded. Then the court summons drops through my letterbox. Then come the false allegations, which the social worker repeats in her report to the court. She did not even ask me about them all but made out she had. If she had I could have given her evidence of the lies, she asked about 2 different allegations and them merged them to say that was my reply to what was never out. It is all bonkers. I feel for you Duchess, you are not alone. Good luck
I really desperately need some advice as my ex partner has lied in court and her lies have been used against me despite me proving to my solicitor she was lying my solicitor failed to defend my side.
Instead my ex's solicitor ruled the court room and mine sat there in silence hardly saying two words.
An interim contact order was made and the residence order she asked for was declined.
However although she has never been there for my son until recently which I proved also,
after leaving us both in 2014 forming A new relationship with someone and having another baby to him she then began to see our son more often and took me to court to get residency of him.
She had now basically been handed all that she asked for for to my solicitor failing to defend against her lies.
I feel I have been unfairly defended and want to know how I can put this right ASAP.
My solicitor has refused to help me any further stating that he cannot cope with it all and he isn't earning enough money from it,
He told me to sack him on the day of the child welfare hearing and walked away from me several times whilst I was explaining to him that I wasn't happy with the curator report and what was about to be granted to my ex.
He said he doesn't want to act for me anymore and stayed I should go elsewhere to someone who can help me further.
My son does not want to be with his mother half the time as he doesn't get on with her due to her never being around before they don't have a bond as such.
Her new partner smacks him etc and he refuses sometimes to go back to hers and so on.
Please please help me.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated I don't know where to turn for help and have lost faith in the legal profession as my solicitors negligence has now lost me my son who I have raised alone since his birth.
Many thanks in advance.
If my ex is not happy with the conditions of the order can she take it back to court to get this changed, she is trying to control when I have my son for 2 weeks over the summer as she is not happy at the dates I have chosen.
Has anybody reported social workers to HCPC and had a good result?
Many thanks
But I've changed my job and I cant get him
Some weekends.
I've asked my ex can I pick him up from scschool the week days I don't work and take him back the following day.
The answer was no .
To be honest I don't really want to go through court once again. But this is not leaving me with much choice.
The last time we was there I can actually prove that she lied to discredit me.
There was that many but I can prove that she lied not by other people by my phone bill that she suggested that she rang me crying down the phone to take my son back I never received one call frrom her on the suggested day but to be honest I really would want to go down the amicable rote but as my son is only eight she does not have to .
I am a separated dad of a lovely 4 years old son.
I am going to try to make it short and as accurate as possible.
I had to get a court order stamped by the court to get access to my son and have my name on the birth certificate 3 years ago.
At this time, we haven't been in front of the court as the mother of my son has been scared so we have written an agreement specifying our names, the name of our son, the fact that we will add me as the father on the birth certificate and the number of days per month I will get access to my son.
Today, the mother of my son is telling me that prior adding me on the birth certificate she changed our son's surname to her partner's surname which is I think a story she has made up but I am a bit worried.
I remember that when we have been to the birth registration office (it was after getting the court order) to add my name as a father, my son's surname was clearly her surname. I have the birth certificate showing that.
So, my questions are:
1) Is she lying to me as the birth certificate is clearly showing that my son's surname is her surname? For your information, I have traveled abroad with son 4 months ago and his surname was her surname on his passport. I have also been in touch 2 weeks ago with my son's school and when they asked me the name of my son I have provided his surname and they found him straight away.
2) Is there a chance that she is telling me the truth but in that case how is it possible that the birth certificate shows that mys son has his mother's surname?
3) If she has really (I don't know how) changed our son's surname before adding me on the birth certificate and most importantly before our agreement being stamped by the court, can we consider that she has deliberately lied and given false information to the court and then risk to get in trouble if I sue her in court? What does she legally risk?
Thanks for your help and guidance.
After a year long battle with the wx i have received my sec 7 report amd is strongly in my favour
States all time should remain as it is and no time to change at all
After this report has come my ex has slammed the cafcass officer in her final statment saying that i have conned the cafcass officer , then accused me of domestic abuse but does not have one little hint of evidence . My wuestion is in light of this un substained alligations would the judge follow the cafcass report amd is it common for judges to follow cafcass ?
The man was nearly 7ft tall and obese, the car has a clearance of 5 and 1/2 inches clearance, he couldn't fit under it. He fell on his back but injured the front of his head above right eye. He had cream trousers on but they and his coat remained clean. What actually happened was the man was drunk and attempted to walk in the road around vehicle slipped and fell. The driver was looking to the left to check for traffic before proceeding, the car was at the kerb. The car moved forward and came into contact with his ankle and reversed back.
Police will not even talk to me. M.P. Is hopeless; tried Davud Cameron and reply via Home Office is " the police say it will only investigate after appeal court tells it to" asked them to check if this is correct and they basically said stop contacting us we have nothing to add. Tried CPS and they said they only act after the police has completed its enquiry and referred case to them. Barrister took it to court on grounds that witness was mistaken and lost, further appeal denied as witness was a reliable witness. Appeal to appeal against decision not to be allowed to appeal failed for same reason. Case is currently with Miscarriage of justice office but is unlikely to see action before November 2017 and that date is likely to be delayed as people in jail get priority. Tried writing to investigating police Officers and main and county police no answer or met with rudeness. Tried police complaints authority who won't act as they feel I have no complaint against an officer. In any event they refer the complaint back to the police you are complaining about, something the county police were quite happy to inform me about
If someone looked at the perjury claim and investigated it my brother could get his life back. I have the evidence but can't get anyone to even look at it
Your son should try to discuss the matter logically with his ex, in the first instance.
If this doesn't work, he should send a registered letter asking for contact to be re-instated and if she doesn't, he will begin legal action.
You need to keep proof of all communication, including a copy of the letter.
If this doesn't work he should apply for an interim contact order through his solicitor before it goes to court. While the contact might be limited (depending on his former partners' level of co-operation) it should help in the short term. I know this can be a heartbreaking time for excluded fathers, so best of luck.
I believe that the judges were influenced by the fact that the complainant portrayed himself as being The Honourable C.B.
I would like to find out what can I do to have my sentence quashed and the claimant to be prosecuted for perjury.
I need to prove that the allegation are false .
how I can do it in quickest way
My ex partner is using the allegations to get attention of court and other institutions. the allegations are ongoing since 2011 until now
We are not together since march 2012 and live in separated homes.
There is shared residence order in place but is not working . My ex partner she put application for full residence I want the same. I believe that I have strong case but I need to get more references to make my case stronger
Cafcass is involved and social services asked to wrtte section 7 report cafcass will write recomendations.
time is running out and I need help
The web site functions , however, are not user friendly.I could not print the first page of each subject and struggled to find the " contact us " e-mail which I finally found.
The solution to all the problems for " separated" children is that they must feel loved and be loved.
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