Bristol Civil and Family Justice Centre

What family cases does Bristol Civil and Family Justice 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.
• 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.
• 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, employment, 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 Bristol Civil and Family Justice 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 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 South West region took a median of 25.1 weeks from application to final order in April to June 2026, down from 27.1 weeks a year earlier. That is slower than the median of 24.7 weeks across England and Wales. 51% of cases finished within 26 weeks. At the end of June 2026, 4,826 children cases were still open in the South West region, and 14% 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.

The Ministry of Justice publishes waiting times for each Designated Family Judge area, the groups of courts each led by a senior family judge. We haven't been able to confirm which area Bristol Civil and Family Justice Centre reports under, so these figures are for the South West region as a whole.

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 Bristol Civil and Family Justice 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
  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
• 0300 081 0006
  Support through court

Email

• [email protected]
  Family court: Including C100 applications
• [email protected]
  Financial Remedy
• [email protected]
  Support through court

Opening hours

• Court open: 8:30am to 4pm (9am to 4pm Thursday)
• Counter open: 9:30am to 2pm (High Court and Administrative Court 4pm)
• Telephone enquiries answered: Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5pm for civil and family queries (except Business and Property Court and Court of Protection which are open 9am to 4pm)
• Tribunal open: Employment Tribunal telephones are open 9am to 4pm

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.

• Hidden Disabilities Sunflower network: Lanyards available on request.
• Prayer / Quiet room: A quiet contemplation room is available.
• Children's waiting room: A children's room is available at this court.
• Baby changing facility: Baby changing facility available in this court.
• Disabled access: This court has disabled access and lift facilities.
• Parking: There is pay and display parking in Redcliff Street. NCP Public parking is also available at Redcliffe Parade, BS1 6SW and the Mall (Galleries) Shopping Centre, BS1 3XD.
• Interview room: Interview rooms are available on all hearing floors.
• Refreshments: Hot and cold vending facilities are located on the 1st floor District Judges reception area.
• Wireless network connection: Access to the Internet via WiFi is available at this court free of charge. This service will advertise itself on your device as GovWifi.
• Witness service: Support Through Court (previously known as the PSU) is available via their new on-line service: www.supportthroughcourt.org
• Assistance dogs: Assistance and Guide dogs are welcome at this court.
• 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.
• Video facilities: Court/hearing room video conferencing facilities and prison to court video link facilities are available (by prior arrangement).

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

Support Through Court, an independent charity that helps people who go to court without a lawyer, lists a contact for this court: 0300 081 0006 or [email protected].

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 Bristol

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