Sunderland County, Family, Magistrates’ and Tribunal Hearings

What family cases does Sunderland County, Family, Magistrates’ and Tribunal Hearings 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.
• 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.

The building also deals with bankruptcy, crime, High Court district registry work, housing possession, money claims, 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 Sunderland County, Family, Magistrates’ and Tribunal Hearings 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 Northumbria and North Durham area took a median of 28.2 weeks from application to final order in April to June 2026, up from 23.1 weeks a year earlier. That is slower than the median of 24.7 weeks across England and Wales. 45% of cases finished within 26 weeks. At the end of June 2026, 1,094 children cases were still open in the Northumbria and North Durham area, and 11% 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 Sunderland County, Family, Magistrates’ and Tribunal Hearings to the Northumbria and North Durham 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 Sunderland County, Family, Magistrates’ and Tribunal Hearings?

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]
  County court: Family queries

Opening hours

• Court open: 8.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday
• Counter service by appointment only: 10am to 2pm (cashless office in operation)

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.

• Hearing Loop: All court rooms are fitted with infra red hearing loop systems as are the counters and private interview rooms.
• Parking: There is public pay and display parking available at a number of sites close to the court.
• Assistance dogs: Guide dogs are welcome at this court.
• Video facilities: Video Conference and Prison Video Link facilities
• Interview room: This court has private interview room facilities.
• Disabled access: This building has a ramp to the building entrance, a lift between the ground floor and the first floor, and level access in to court rooms and hearing rooms.
• 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 Sunderland

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