Preston Crown Court and Family Court (Sessions House)

What family cases does Preston Crown Court and Family Court (Sessions House) 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.
• 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.
• 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 crime 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 Preston Crown Court and Family Court (Sessions House) 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 Blackburn and Lancaster area took a median of 30.6 weeks from application to final order in April to June 2026, up from 26.8 weeks a year earlier. That is slower than the median of 24.7 weeks across England and Wales. 44% of cases finished within 26 weeks. At the end of June 2026, 1,153 children cases were still open in the Blackburn and Lancaster area, and 8% 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 Preston Crown Court and Family Court (Sessions House) to the Blackburn and Lancaster 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 Preston Crown Court and Family Court (Sessions House)?

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

Phone

• 01254 299 840
  Adoption
• 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: C100 applications
• [email protected]
  Listing
• [email protected]
  Family court
• [email protected]
  Adoption
• [email protected]
  Financial Remedy
• [email protected]
  Enquiries: Divorce

Opening hours

• Court open: Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5pm
• Telephone enquiries answered: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
• No counter service available

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 available at this building. The nearest car park is the Bus Station Car Park, which is located opposite the court building.
• Assistance dogs: Assistance dogs are welcome.
• Hearing Loop: Hearing enhancement facilities are available at this court.
• Security arch: For safety and security, all users and their possessions will be searched by security when they enter this building. Please alert the security officer if you have a pacemaker.
• Refreshments: A water cooler is available at this court.
• Interview room: Consultation rooms are available at this court.
• Baby changing facility: Baby changing facilities are available at this court on request.
• Video facilities: Video conference facilities (excluding prison to court video links) are available.
• Hidden Disabilities Sunflower network: Lanyards available on request.

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 Preston

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

See divorce solicitors in Lancashire, with local costs.