Brighton-Hearing Centre

What family cases does Brighton-Hearing Centre 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.
• Adoption, including applications by step-parents.
• Protection from domestic abuse: non-molestation orders and occupation orders, which have no court fee. Our directory of domestic abuse support lists free helplines.
• Forced marriage protection orders.
• Female genital mutilation (FGM) protection orders.

The building also deals with bankruptcy, housing possession and money claims, so you may share the waiting areas and security queue with people attending other kinds of case.

Do I need to go to Brighton-Hearing Centre 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 Surrey and Sussex area took a median of 42.0 weeks from application to final order in April to June 2026, up from 39.0 weeks a year earlier. That is slower than the median of 24.7 weeks across England and Wales. 28% of cases finished within 26 weeks. At the end of June 2026, 2,500 children cases were still open in the Surrey and Sussex area, and 19% 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 Brighton-Hearing Centre to the Surrey and Sussex 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 Brighton-Hearing Centre?

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
  Counter appointments: please call between 9am to 4.30pm, to make an appointment
• 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]
  Enquiries: For Children, C100 and Family enquires

Opening hours

• Court open: Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm
• Counter service by appointment only: There is no public counter in this building. For urgent matters only there is a counter service by prior appointment at Brighton County Court (William Street, Brighton BN2 0RF

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.

• Disabled access: For disabled access please call 0300 123 5577
• Assistance dogs: Assistance dogs are welcome
• Hearing Loop: Hardwired loop hearing facilities are available in Hearing Room 2
• Security arch: For safety and security, all customers 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: Lifts are available in this building to access all public floors
• Public toilets: Public toilets are available on all public floors
• Disabled toilet: An accessible toilet is available and located on the second floor
• Refreshments: A chilled water dispenser is available in each waiting area.
• Interview room: Interview rooms are available on the first, second and third floors. This building has public waiting areas outside all hearing rooms
• Children's waiting room: A childrens room is available at this Court.
• Baby changing facility: Baby changing facilities are available in the public toilets (male and female) on the first floor
• Video facilities: Court hearing room video conferencing facilities available (by prior arrangement)
• Wireless network connection: WiFi is available in all areas of the building. Please see WiFi notices in the waiting areas for details.
• 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 Brighton

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