Children Act 1989: Primary legislation governing child arrangements in England and Wales. Contains the welfare principle (child's best interests are paramount), provisions for Child Arrangement Orders (Section 8), and parental responsibility provisions (Sections 2-4).
Welfare Checklist: Found in Section 1(3) of Children Act 1989. Includes consideration of: child's wishes and feelings, physical and emotional needs, effect of changes, age, sex, background, potential harm, parental capability, and available court powers.
Family Law Act 1996: Secondary legislation containing relevant provisions regarding domestic arrangements and family matters.
Child Arrangements Programme (CAP) 2014: Practice directions and guidance for child arrangement proceedings in the family courts.
Human Rights Act 1998: Particularly Article 8 which ensures the right to respect for private and family life, relevant for custody arrangements.
Re G (Children) [2006] UKHL 43: Key case law establishing principles for child arrangement decisions in English courts.
Payne v Payne [2001] EWCA Civ 166: Significant case law regarding relocation cases and factors to consider in child arrangement decisions.
CAFCASS Guidelines: Best practice guidelines from the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service for child arrangements.
International Framework: Including Brussels II bis Regulation, Hague Convention on Child Abduction, and Family Law Act 1986 for recognition of overseas orders in international cases.
