Birkenhead County Court

What family cases does Birkenhead County 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.
• Financial remedy: court orders about money, property and pensions when you divorce, including hearings when a couple can't agree. See Form A and our guide to Form E.
• 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, High Court district registry work, housing possession, money claims 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 Birkenhead County 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 how to split money and property, 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 Liverpool area took a median of 23.1 weeks from application to final order in April to June 2026, down from 28.9 weeks a year earlier. That is quicker than the median of 24.7 weeks across England and Wales. 55% of cases finished within 26 weeks. At the end of June 2026, 1,543 children cases were still open in the Liverpool area, and 10% 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 Birkenhead County Court to the Liverpool 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 Birkenhead County 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

Opening hours

• Court open: Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm
• Telephone enquiries answered: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
• Counter open: By prior appointment only for urgent Civil and Family Applications

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.

• No parking: There are no parking facilities at this building, however paid off site parking is available at the rear of the building on Hinson Street.
• Lift: Lifts are available to all floors.
• Assistance dogs: Assistance dogs are welcome.
• Hearing Loop: The building has a portable hearing enhancement system available by prior arrangement. Please contact the court by telephone or email to let us know of your requirements.
• 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.
• Public toilets: Public toilets are available on ground, 2nd and 3rd floors.
• Disabled toilet: Disabled toilet available on the ground floor with accessible toilets on 2nd and 3rd floors.
• Refreshments: Refreshments are available via a vending machine and water cooler.
• Interview room: This court has interview room facilities.
• Waiting Room: Separate waiting areas are available. Please contact the court for any special arrangements.
• Baby changing facility: Baby changing available on 2nd and 3rd floor.
• Prayer / Quiet room: There is no longer a prayer/quiet room
• Video facilities: For civil queries please contact civil.birkenhead.countycourt@justice.gov.uk and for family queries please contact family.birkenhead.countycourt@justice.gov.uk
• Wireless network connection: Wi-Fi is available in all areas of the court building. Please read notices on display.
• Hidden Disabilities Sunflower network: Lanyards available on request.

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 Birkenhead

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

See family mediation in Merseyside, with local costs.