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If you鈥檙e a litigation friend you鈥檒l be responsible for the child鈥檚 Court Funds Office account until they turn 18, for example:

• keeping contact details up to date
• applying for any payments on the child鈥檚 behalf
• receiving statements and tax records

Your responsibilities end when the child turns 18. The Court Funds Office will usually transfer the money to the child and close the account after the child鈥檚 18th birthday.

Update contact details

Keep contact details up to date so the Court Funds Office can transfer the money to the child without delay when they turn 18.

Write to the Court Funds Office to tell them if:

• your address or the child鈥檚 changes - you need to include both the old address and the new address
• your name or the child鈥檚 changes - you need to include a certified copy of a marriage certificate or deed poll

Get statements and tax records

You鈥檒l get annual statements and tax vouchers for tax returns in April or May every year.

You鈥檒l get another statement in October or November if there鈥檚 拢10,000 or more in the child鈥檚 account.

Email the Court Funds Office if you need a statement at any other time.

Apply for payments

You cannot access the child鈥檚 account without an order from the court.

If there鈥檚 a reason the child needs money before turning 18, you must apply to the court that originally awarded the money.

Write to the court and explain what the money鈥檚 for and how it鈥檒l benefit the child.

The court will tell you whether you need to:

• provide evidence that the child will benefit
• provide proof of exact costs
• attend a hearing - the child may also need to attend
• pay a fee

It will order the Court Funds Office to make a payment if your application is successful. You must give your bank account details to the court unless you ask to be paid by cheque.

Interest on accounts

Special accounts currently pay 4.5% interest. The rate is not fixed - it is set by the Lord Chancellor. You鈥檒l be told if the rate changes.