Plymouth Combined Court

What family cases does Plymouth Combined 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.

The building also deals with bankruptcy, crime, High Court district registry work, housing possession, money claims and single justice procedure cases, so you may share the waiting areas and security queue with people attending other kinds of case.

Do I need to go to Plymouth Combined 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 Devon area took a median of 33.1 weeks from application to final order in April to June 2026, up from 28.0 weeks a year earlier. That is slower than the median of 24.7 weeks across England and Wales. 42% of cases finished within 26 weeks. At the end of June 2026, 872 children cases were still open in the Devon area, and 18% 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 Plymouth Combined Court to the Devon 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 Plymouth Combined 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: 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]
  Listing
• [email protected]
  Financial Remedy

Opening hours

• Counter open: By prior appointment only
• Court open: 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday
• Telephone enquiries answered: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

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.

• Assistance dogs: Guide dogs are welcome on site
• Hearing Loop: The building has a portable hearing enhancement system available by prior appointment. Please contact Front of House on 01752 677475 or Plymouth.frontofhouse@Justice.gov.uk.
• Disabled access: Disabled parking is available on request to the Listing Office in advance of hearings.There is a Disabled ramp for access at the front of the building, a bell is situated at the bottom of the ramp for disabled users to attract the attention of security if needed.There is a ramp with hand rails for access to the Jury Entrance
• Disabled toilet: Available in the First floor foyer.
• No parking: There are no customer parking facilities at this venue, however paid offsite parking is available within a few metres of the venue at the Guildhall car park and on street parking at the front of the venue.
• Lift: A lift is available in this building to access the first floor. (79.5 cm wide). A wheelchair lift is available for Jurors between the ground and the first floor for wheelchairs up to 105 cm wide and with a weight limit of 400Kg.
• Security arch: For Safety and Security, all users and their possessions will be searched by security when they enter the building. We have a security arch. Please alert security if you have a pacemaker.
• Public toilets: Available in the First floor foyer and District Judge reception waiting area.
• Refreshments: Vending machines are available on the first-floor foyer dispensing hot drinks, cold drinks and snacks.
• Interview room: 4 rooms are available, on the first floor. Prior booking for special measures can be booked in advance. Please contact Front of House on 01752 677475 or Plymouth.frontofhouse@Justice.gov.uk
• Waiting Room: The building has a public waiting area on the first floor, plus a separate waiting area outside Courts 3 and 4, there are separate witness waiting areas. Please ask for details.
• Baby changing facility: Baby changing facilities are located in the disabled toilets on the first floor.
• Wireless network connection: PCU WiFi is available for professional court users, who will need to register to access the system. There is no open WiFi service available in this building.
• Video facilities: Court/hearing room video conferencing facilities and prison to Court video link are available on site (by prior arrangement). Contact Tel: 01752 677475 or email: Plymouth.frontofhouse@justice.gov.uk
• Hidden Disabilities Sunflower network: Lanyards available on request.
• Witness service: www.witnessservice.org.uk

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 Plymouth

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

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