A child who has received money to settle a court case will have a litigation friend to look after the money in a Court Funds Office account until they turn 18.
You can apply to replace a child’s litigation friend (external link) so you can be the contact for the account (external link).
Apply to the court that appointed the child’s existing litigation friend - the court needs to make an order to appoint you.
You will need to prove to the court that the existing litigation friend is no longer suitable or available - for example:
- they are not acting in the child’s best interests
- they can no longer act as litigation friend (for example, they have moved away)
- they have died
You will need to pay a fee unless you are eligible for help with court fees (external link)
How to apply
You can get legal advice to help you apply.
- Fill in a certificate of suitability (external link) for the court that appointed the existing litigation friend - this is to nominate yourself as the litigation friend
- Download and read form N244 and guidance notes (external link) - this is to ask the court to make an order to replace the existing litigation friend
- Use form N244 to explain why the existing litigation friend is not suitable or available - give names and addresses for the existing litigation friend and the child’s parent, guardian or carer so the court can give (‘serve’) copies of the application to them
- Send your certificate of suitability with your completed form and fee to the court
Additional information on replacing a child's litigation friend (external link) can be found on GOV.UK's website.