Section 11: General principles and supplementary provisions., Children Act 1989

In proceedings in which any question of making a section 8 order, or any other question with respect to such an order, arises, the court shall (in the light of any provision in rules of court that is of the kind mentioned in subsection (2)(a) or (b)) —

draw up a timetable with a view to determining the question without delay; and

give such directions as it considers appropriate for the purpose of ensuring, so far as is reasonably practicable, that that timetable is adhered to.

Rules of court may—

specify periods within which specified steps must be taken in relation to proceedings in which such questions arise; and

make other provision with respect to such proceedings for the purpose of ensuring, so far as is reasonably practicable, that such questions are determined without delay.

Where a court has power to make a section 8 order, it may do so at any time during the course of the proceedings in question even though it is not in a position to dispose finally of those proceedings.

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Where—

a child arrangements order has been made with respect to a child; and

the child has two parents who each have parental responsibility for him,

theorder, so far as it has the result that there are times when the child lives or is to live with one of the parents, shall cease to have effect if the parents live together for a continuous period of more than six months.

A child arrangements order made with respect to a child, so far as it provides for the child to spend time or otherwise have contact with one of the child's parents at times when the child is living with the child's other parent, shall cease to have effect if the parents live together for a continuous period of more than six months.

A section 8 order may—

contain directions about how it is to be carried into effect;

impose conditions which must be complied with by any person—

who is named in the order as a person with whom the child concerned is to live, spend time or otherwise have contact;

who is a parent of the child ...;

who is not a parent of his but who has parental responsibility for him; or

with whom the child is living,

and to whom the conditions are expressed to apply;

be made to have effect for a specified period, or contain provisions which are to have effect for a specified period;

make such incidental, supplemental or consequential provision as the court thinks fit.

Section 11: General principles and supplementary provisions.

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