Barnstaple Magistrates', County and Family Court

What family cases does Barnstaple Magistrates', County and Family Court deal with?

HM Courts and Tribunals Service lists this court for:

• Children cases, where parents or relatives ask the court to decide arrangements for a child, such as who they live with and when they see each parent. See how to apply for a child arrangements order without a solicitor and form C100.
• Divorce, dissolution and judicial separation. New divorce applications go to the central HMCTS divorce service, not to this court, but a local court can hear a divorce case that needs a judge, for example if it is disputed.
• Protection from domestic abuse: non-molestation orders and occupation orders, which have no court fee. Our directory of domestic abuse support lists free helplines.

The building also deals with bankruptcy, crime, High Court district registry work, housing possession, money claims, single justice procedure cases and social security appeals, so you may share the waiting areas and security queue with people attending other kinds of case.

Do I need to go to Barnstaple Magistrates', County and Family Court for my divorce?

Usually not. Divorce applications in England and Wales go to the HMCTS divorce service, which deals with them online or by post at HMCTS Divorce and Dissolution Service, PO Box 13226, Harlow, CM20 9UG. Its helpline is 0300 303 0642, Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm (GOV.UK). Most undefended divorces finish without anyone going to a court building.

You're more likely to come to a local court if you ask a judge to decide arrangements for your children, or if you apply for protection from domestic abuse. Our step-by-step guide to divorce explains each stage.

How long are children cases taking here?

Children cases between parents or relatives in the Devon area took a median of 33.1 weeks from application to final order in April to June 2026, up from 28.0 weeks a year earlier. That is slower than the median of 24.7 weeks across England and Wales. 42% of cases finished within 26 weeks. At the end of June 2026, 872 children cases were still open in the Devon area, and 18% of those had been open for more than a year.

Private law children cases finished in April to June 2026. Source: Ministry of Justice, Family Court Statistics Quarterly: April to June 2026, published 24 September 2026, "Children Act 26 Weeks" and "Open Caseload" data files.

Family courts are grouped into Designated Family Judge areas, each led by a senior family judge. The Ministry of Justice publishes waiting times for each area, and we've matched Barnstaple Magistrates', County and Family Court to the Devon area by its location. Cases can be moved between courts, so treat these as a guide to your area rather than to this building.

The Ministry of Justice doesn't publish waiting times by area for divorce or financial cases, because divorce applications are handled centrally. Our family court waiting times tracker has the national figures for every kind of case.

How do I contact Barnstaple Magistrates', County and Family Court?

These are the family contacts HM Courts and Tribunals Service publishes for this court. Have your case number ready if you have one.

Phone

• 0300 123 5577
  Enquiries: National Contact Centre for Civil & Family Court, Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5pm
• 0300 303 0642
  Enquiries: Divorce Contact Centre, Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm

Email

• [email protected]
  Family court: Including divorce
• [email protected]
  Mediation

Opening hours

• Court open: Monday to Friday 9:30am until close of business
• Telephone enquiries answered: Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm
• Counter open: Strictly by appointment only

HM Courts and Tribunals Service warns that scammers are copying court phone numbers and email addresses to ask for payment. If you're not sure a call or email is genuine, don't pay anything, and report it to Action Fraud.

Accessibility and facilities

This is what HM Courts and Tribunals Service lists for the building. If you need an adjustment, such as a hearing loop, step-free access or a quiet room, contact the court before your hearing day.

• Parking: There are no parking facilities at this building, however paid offsite parking is available at North Walk car park at EX31 1DU.
• Disabled access: The platform lift can take wheelchair and small mobility scooters. Size and weight restrictions apply; maximum combined weight is 250kg and max chair / scooter dimensions are L 95cm W 75cm.
• Assistance dogs: If users have Therapy Dogs, permission needs to be sought from the Judiciary in advance of the hearing.
• Hearing Loop: The courtrooms have hearing enhancement facilities which can also be used by users who d not wear a hearing aid by wearing earphones, which we can provide. Please inform the Usher upon arrival that you will require the hearing loop system and they will ensure you have the correct equipment and the system is turned on.
• Security arch: For safety and security, all users and their possessions will be searched by security when they enter this building. We have a security arch. Please alert the security officer if you have a pacemaker.
• Lift: Please note: There is no public lift in the building.
• Public toilets: Public toilets are available in all waiting areas on all floors.
• Disabled toilet: Accessible toilets are available and are located on the ground and first floors. A platform lift is available to these floors.
• Refreshments: There is currently no vending provided at this building. Chilled water is available on the first floor.
• Interview room: 3 interview rooms available on a first come first served basis.
• Waiting Room: This building has a public waiting area outside each court or hearing room. There is a separate witness suite.
• Baby changing facility: Baby changing facilities are located in the public toilets on the ground floor.
• Video facilities: Court/hearing room video conferencing facilities and prison to court video link facilities are available (by prior arrangement).
• Hidden Disabilities Sunflower network: Lanyards available on request.
• Witness service: www.witnessservice.org.uk

Where can I get help with a case at this court?

If you're going to court without a lawyer, free guides from Advicenow and Citizens Advice explain what happens at each hearing. For children cases in England, Cafcass advises the court on what is best for your child. You can also ask a family solicitor for a single fixed-fee appointment to prepare, or try mediation before or alongside court.

Family solicitors and mediators near Barnstaple

These professionals list an office in or near Barnstaple. Labels show whether a listing is paid; most are listed from public information. How we make money.

See divorce solicitors in Devon and family mediation in Devon, with local costs.