Cardiff Civil and Family Justice Centre

What family cases does Cardiff 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.
• 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, 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 Cardiff 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 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 East Wales area took a median of 10.0 weeks from application to final order in April to June 2026, up from 9.4 weeks a year earlier. That is quicker than the median of 24.7 weeks across England and Wales. 90% of cases finished within 26 weeks. At the end of June 2026, 518 children cases were still open in the South East Wales area, and 4% 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 Cardiff Civil and Family Justice Centre to the South East Wales 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 Cardiff 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 Mon to Thu 9am to 5pm Fri 9am to 4:30pm
• 0300 303 5174
  Welsh language helpline: for Welsh-speakers civil and family
• 02920 343 685
  Enquiries: Support through Court
• 0300 303 5174
  Welsh language helpline: Welsh Speakers
• 0300 303 0642
  Enquiries: Divorce Contact centre Mon to Thu 9am to 5pm Fri 9am to 4:30pm
• 0300 303 5171
  Welsh language helpline: welsh speakers Divorce

Email

• [email protected]
  Enquiries
• [email protected]
  Enquiries: Support through Court
• [email protected]
  FGM and forced marriage

Opening hours

• Counter service by appointment only: 10:00 to 14:00 call 03001235577
• Court open: 09:00 to 16:30

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.

• Wireless network connection: WIFI for court users
• Interview room: There are 17 consultation rooms available
• Hearing Loop: A loop system for the hearing impaired is available in courtrooms 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 13, 15 and 16
• Refreshments: A cold drinks vending machine is available on the 1st floor and snack and hot drinks vending machines on the 2nd and 3rd floor
• Hidden Disabilities Sunflower network: Lanyards available on request.
• Assistance dogs: Assistance dogs are welcome.
• Baby changing facility: Baby changing facilities are available.
• Disabled access: This building has a ramp to the building entrance, a lift between the ground floor and the first floor, and level access in to court rooms and hearing rooms.
• Video facilities: Court/hearing room video facilities and prison to court video link facilities are available by prior arrangement. Please contact the court by telephone or email to let us know of your requirements.
• Witness service: Support Through Court is available on site to provide assistance. https://www.supportthroughcourt.org/

No separate waiting room is listed. If you're worried about seeing your ex at court, tell the court in advance: you can ask for measures such as separate waiting areas, different arrival times or a screen in the courtroom.

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: 02920 343 685 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 Wales, Cafcass Cymru 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 Cardiff

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

See divorce solicitors in South Wales, with local costs.