Central Family Court

What family cases does Central 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.
• 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.

Do I need to go to Central 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 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 Central London area took a median of 36.9 weeks from application to final order in April to June 2026, down from 52.1 weeks a year earlier. That is slower than the median of 24.7 weeks across England and Wales. 38% of cases finished within 26 weeks. At the end of June 2026, 2,408 children cases were still open in the Central London area, and 29% 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 Central Family Court to the Central London 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 Central 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
• 0207 421 8639
  Counter appointments: Temporary contact number for urgent appointments only
• 020 7421 8611
  Enquiries: Adoption Enquiries

Email

• [email protected]
  Pre and post court: Court Orders Department
• [email protected]
  Pre and post court: Decree Absolutes Search Department
• [email protected]
  Financial Remedy: Financial Remedy Court Department
• [email protected]
  Listing: List Office Department
• [email protected]
  Adoption: Adoption Department
• [email protected]
  Case progression: Children cases
• [email protected]
  Applications: C100 applications
• [email protected]
  Case progression: Lodging Documents for existing cases

Opening hours

• Court open: Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm.

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.
• Disabled access: Disabled access and toilet facilities are available. Parking can be arranged by contacting the court 48 hours in advance where spaces are available.
• Assistance dogs: Assistance dogs are welcome
• Hearing Loop: Loop hearing facilities are available in the court rooms. Notice is required.
• Interview room: This court has private interview room facilities.
• Children's waiting room: The court has a Children's Room on the 4th Floor.
• Baby changing facility: There are baby changing facilities situated within the disabled toilets.

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 London

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

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