Colchester Magistrates' Court and Family Court
Colchester Magistrates' Court and Family Court is a family court in Colchester that deals with children and domestic abuse cases. You're most likely to come here for a hearing about arrangements for your children, not for the divorce itself, which is handled centrally online.
What family cases does Colchester Magistrates' Court and 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.
- 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 crime, single justice procedure cases 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 Colchester Magistrates' Court and 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 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 Essex and Suffolk area took a median of 31.7 weeks from application to final order in April to June 2026, down from 33.4 weeks a year earlier. That is slower than the median of 24.7 weeks across England and Wales. 40% of cases finished within 26 weeks. At the end of June 2026, 2,433 children cases were still open in the Essex and Suffolk area, and 16% of those had been open for more than a year.
| Area | Median | A year earlier | Within 26 weeks | Cases finished |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essex and Suffolk area | 31.7 weeks | 33.4 weeks | 40% | 349 |
| South East region | 32.9 weeks | 32.1 weeks | 41% | 1,984 |
| England and Wales | 24.7 weeks | 26.4 weeks | 52% | 12,005 |
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 Colchester Magistrates' Court and Family Court to the Essex and Suffolk 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 Colchester Magistrates' Court and 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
Family court: from 9am to 5pm
- [email protected]
Enquiries: Family
Opening hours
- Court open: 9.00 am to 5:00pm
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: This court has level access to the entrance of the building and all floors, lifts to all floors and easy access into courtrooms. There are also a number of disabled toilets on each floor.
- Baby changing facility: This court has baby changing facilities on each floor.
- Refreshments: Refreshments are available from vending machines.
- Video facilities: Court/hearing room video conferencing facilities and prison to court video link facilities are available (by prior arrangement)
- Assistance dogs: Assistance dogs are welcome
- Hidden Disabilities Sunflower network: Lanyards available on request.
- Witness service: www.witnessservice.org.uk
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?
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 Colchester
These professionals list an office in or near Colchester. Labels show whether a listing is paid; most are listed from public information. How we make money.
See divorce solicitors in Essex, with local costs.
Guides that may help
Want someone in your corner at court?
Tell us what's happening and we'll show you two or three family solicitors or mediators who cover Colchester. It's free.
Court information from HM Courts and Tribunals Service, Find a court or tribunal, last checked 20 October 2026. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Waiting times from the Ministry of Justice, Family Court Statistics Quarterly: April to June 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.