Arrangements for children in Northern Ireland

When parents separate in Northern Ireland, you can agree arrangements for your children between yourselves and only apply to a family court if you cannot agree. Official guidance explains how the family courts work and the orders they can make.

Family mediation can help you reach agreement without court, and the Children's Law Centre offers free legal advice on children's matters through its advice line.

In Northern Ireland the courts talk about residence orders and contact orders, not custody and access. Official guidance is clear that most parents can agree arrangements themselves, and a free mediation service exists to help before anyone goes near a courtroom. If a case does reach court, there are people whose whole job is making sure your child's wishes and feelings are heard.

• If you cannot agree, you can apply for a residence or contact order and ask a family court to decide visiting rights and where the child will live (nidirect.gov.uk).
• Parents who separate can often agree the arrangements for their children themselves; official guidance suggests asking a family mediator to help, as mediation may prove less costly and stressful than going to court (nidirect.gov.uk).
• Mediation is voluntary, and a free pre-court family mediation service is delivered by Family Mediation NI and Barnardo's (nidirect.gov.uk).
• An unmarried father who registers the birth jointly with the child's mother and has his name on the birth registration acquires parental responsibility, for children born on or after 15 April 2002; many fathers do not realise this date matters (nidirect.gov.uk).
• In some family court cases a Children's Court Guardian writes a report saying what they think would be best for the children, and the report must tell the court about the wishes and feelings of the children (nidirect.gov.uk).

Checked August 2026 against nidirect.gov.uk.

Whatever you decide, the child's welfare comes first. Most families never need a courtroom to agree how things will work.

• You can agree arrangements yourselves in a parenting plan, or with the help of mediation.
• Courts are usually a last resort, and generally support children keeping a relationship with both parents unless there are safety concerns.
• Put what you agree in writing so everyone knows what to expect.
• ParenThing can hold the schedule and track any changes.