Manchester Civil Justice Centre (Civil and Family Courts)

What family cases does Manchester Civil Justice Centre (Civil and Family Courts) 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.
• Domestic Abuse Protection Orders, a newer order being introduced area by area.
• Forced marriage protection orders.
• Female genital mutilation (FGM) protection orders.

The building also deals with bankruptcy, High Court district registry work, housing possession, immigration, 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 Manchester Civil Justice Centre (Civil and Family Courts) 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 Manchester area took a median of 38.1 weeks from application to final order in April to June 2026, up from 36.0 weeks a year earlier. That is slower than the median of 24.7 weeks across England and Wales. 29% of cases finished within 26 weeks. At the end of June 2026, 2,229 children cases were still open in the Manchester area, and 16% 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 Manchester Civil Justice Centre (Civil and Family Courts) to the Manchester 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 Manchester Civil Justice Centre (Civil and Family Courts)?

These are the family contacts HM Courts and Tribunals Service publishes for this court. Have your case number ready if you have one.

Phone

• 0161 240 5000
  Enquiries: Switchboard
• 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]
  Applications: Including C100 applications
• [email protected]
  Enquiries: Family Orders
• [email protected]
  Family court: Family divorce and financial remedy
• [email protected]
  Listing: Family Listings
• [email protected]
  Enquiries: ACO

Opening hours

• Court open: Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5pm
• Counter service by appointment only: Strictly Monday to Friday 10am to 2pm (call 0300 123 5577)
• Telephone enquiries answered: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm (please note that the cut-off time for payment of fees is 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.

• No parking: There are no parking facilities at this building. There is an NCP car park available on Bridge Street or for alternative car parking in the city centre please see the following link: www.manchester.gov.uk/homepage/915/car_parking_in_the_city_centre
• Disabled access: This building has lifts to all floors, and level access in to court rooms and hearing rooms.
• Assistance dogs: Assistance dogs are welcome.
• Hearing Loop: This court has loop hearing facilities and a portable hearing enhancement system available by prior arrangement.
• Security arch: For safety and security, all users 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 floors.
• Public toilets: Public toilets are available on all floors.
• Disabled toilet: Accessible toilets are available and are located on all floors. Lifts are available to these floors.
• Refreshments: The cafeteria is open Monday to Friday (except Public and Bank Holidays) 8:30am until 2pm. Chilled water is available.
• Interview room: Interview/consultation rooms are available at this court.
• Waiting Room: This building has a public waiting area on the ground floor and a separate witness waiting area. Please ask for details. This building has a public waiting area outside each court or hearing room.
• Children's waiting room: A separate waiting room is available for people who have had to bring children with them. Children must be supervised at all times.
• Baby changing facility: Baby changing facilities are available and located on the ground floor.
• Prayer / Quiet room: A quiet room for prayer or contemplation is available at this court.
• Video facilities: Court/hearing room video conferencing facilities and prison to court video link facilities are available (by prior arrangement). For queries please contact the relevant listing team.
• Wireless network connection: Wi-Fi is available in all areas of the building. Please see the notices and follow the link.
• 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 Manchester

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

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