Education and Child Matters

I AM L.I.P

I am a Litigant In Person

Form FL401A

application form used to apply for a
forced marriage protection order

 

WHAT IS FORM FL401A USED FOR?

Form FL401A is the application form used to apply for a forced marriage protection order.

ARE THERE ANY GOVERNMENT OR OUR OWN L.I.P HELP GUIDES OR WRITE UPS TO HELP YOU COMPLETE FORM FL401A?

Pages 6 and 7 of form FL401A have a write up to help you complete the form.

The government have produced a leaflet guide called FL701 which will help you. Please click on the link to access leaflet FL701.

LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE FOR LEAFLET FL701

WHAT IS THE FEE TO SEND FORM FL401A TO THE COURT AND HOW TO PAY FOR IT?

There is no fee to send this form to the family court.

HOW TO COMPLETE FORM FL401A AND WHERE TO SEND IT.

The words ‘to serve’ and ‘serving court papers on the other party/respondent’ means that they must receive copies of your application form and any relevant court papers that require them to respond, comply with directions or attend court. Depending upon the court application and paperwork you submit to the court you can either do this yourself or more than likely the family court will do this for you. In this case with form FL401A you are NOT required to serve the other party yourself if you are the individual applicant but you can get someone else to do this for you or the court will send copies of your form FL401A to every other party/respondent named in the application. 

  • NOTE 1 – If you are completing and submitting this form you are known as the applicant. The other party whom the application is against is known as the respondent(s). There may be more than 1 respondent.
  • NOTE 2 – If there is not enough space to complete your answers on form FL401A then please continue on extra sheets of paper and attach them to your form. Please remember to write your name, date of birth, and question number on the top of the sheet.
  • NOTE 3 – You can complete form FL401A online and then print a hard copy. Alternatively you can download it, print it and then complete by black pen. 
  • NOTE 4 – Please send at least 3-4 copies of form FL401A and any attachments to the court. The court will distribute the copies accordingly. One copy is required for the court and one for each party in the proceedings.
  • NOTE 5 – Please keep a copy of your form Fl401A and all attachments for yourself outside of the ones you send to the court.
  • Form FL401 is 8 pages long.
  • Part 1 – About you the applicant 
    • You will be asked you if you are the –
        • Person to be protected by this court order – If the person to be protected is making this application by themselves then they are also known as the applicant. After completing part 1 then can  go straight to part 4. 
        • A relevant third party – A relevant third party is a person or organisation allowed to make an application on behalf of the person to be protected. 
        • Any other person with the permission of the court – If you a relative or friend you will need the courts permission to submit application form FL401A. You can apply for permission using form FL430

LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE FOR FORM FL430.

    • You will now be asked for your title, full name and contact details. If you would like the court to keep your contact details confidential from the party these proceedings are against/the respondent then you must not write your contact details on this form. You must complete form C8 and send it to the court alongside your form FL401A.

LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE FOR FORM C8

    • If you are a relevant third parties and any other persons you will be asked the name of organisation and position held.
    • Now you will be asked for your solicitors details if you have one acting for you. Leave blank if you do not.
  • Part 2 – About the person to be protected
    • Part 2 should be completed by relevant third parties or any other person.  
    • You will be asked for their title and full name.  
    • You will next be asked for their address. If the address is to be kept confidential then please complete form C8 and do not write the address here in part 2. If the person to be protected is the applicant then you have already done this in part 1. If the person to be protected is different from the applicant then another form C8 will need to be completed.
    • You will now be asked for their date of birth and if it is not known whether they are under 18 years of age.
  • Part 3 – Your reasons for applying on behalf of the person to be protected 
    • Part 3 should only be completed by relevant third party applicants.  You will be asked about what you know about the circumstances of this case and the wishes of the protected party. Please give details in the box provided.
  • Part 4 – About the respondents
    •  You will be asked for the title, full name, address and date of birth of all the respondents.
  •  Part 5 – The order for which you are applying
    • You will be asked to give details of what you want the court to do or happen, for example you want the respondent to give your passport to the court or change their behaviour towards you. Give details of all types of behaviour towards you which are forcing you into a forced marriage in the box provided.
    • You will now be asked if your application is ex-parte/without notice – the court hearing will take place without informing the respondent. Please tick the box if it is. This can be asked for if the person to be protected will face harm if the court order is not granted immediately or the respondent could delay proceedings causing harm to the person to be protected. You must write a statement of truth and sign it in the box in part 5 or on the separate sheet if you are making an ex-parte/without notice application. A statement of truth can be the following – ‘I declare the above statement to be true to the best of my knowledge’
  • Part 6 – At the court
    • You will be asked if you or the person being protected needs an interpreter, have any disabilities and need special assistance or facilities. You will also be asked if you need the court to make special arrangements for you and the person to be protected such as a screen and a separate waiting room.
  • Part 7 – Other information
    • If there is any other information that you think is relevant please write it here including details of any other respondent(s) or named individuals.  
  • Part 8 – Other proceedings and orders
    • You will be asked if there are any current court proceedings involving you, the person to be protected or the respondents. If you can you must give details, the case number and the type of hearing. If you have the court order please attach it to this form Fl401A.
    • You must sign and date the form. 
  • As stated above please send enough copies of your completed form Fl401A, all attachments and other forms to your local family court so they can distribute accordingly. The court will keep one copy and send one to each respondent and other named individuals in the application. Please click on the link below to find the address of your local family court.

LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE TO FIND YOUR LOCAL FAMILY COURT

WHERE CAN YOU FIND FORM FL401A/DOWNLOAD THIS FORM?

Please click on the link below to access form FL401A from the government website. 

LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE FOR FORM FL401A 

WHEN WAS FORM FL401A FIRST PUBLISHED AND LAST UPDATED?

Form FL401A was first published by the government (HM Courts & Tribunals Service) on 01-04-2017 and it was last updated on 21-12-2020.