Torquay and Newton Abbot County and Family Court

What family cases does Torquay and Newton Abbot County 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.
• 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.

The building also deals with bankruptcy, housing possession and money claims, so you may share the waiting areas and security queue with people attending other kinds of case.

Do I need to go to Torquay and Newton Abbot County 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 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 Torquay and Newton Abbot County and Family 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 Torquay and Newton Abbot County 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
  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]
  Family court: Including C100 applications

Opening hours

• Counter service by appointment only: By prior appointment only before 4pm
• Court open: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
• 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.

• Hidden Disabilities Sunflower network: Lanyards available on request.
• Parking: There is a public car park available at the front of the building which has a limited capacity, please ensure that you only park in the designated bays and do not use the marked disabled bays unless you have permission to do so
• Disabled access: This building has level access to the building entrance, a lift to the floors where the courts are located and level access into the hearing rooms. There are designated disabled parking bays available at the front of the building in the public car park.
• Assistance dogs: Assistance dogs are welcome.
• Hearing Loop: The building has hearing enhancement facilities available by prior arrangement. Please contact the Court office by telephone or email if necessary.
• 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
• Lift: A lift available at the main entrance to the first floor. The lift is suitable for wheelchairs, the maximum load is 8 persons or 630kg.
• Public toilets: Public toilets are available the first floor of the building.
• Disabled toilet: Accessible toilets are available and are located the first floor. A lift is available to this floor.
• Refreshments: A hot drinks vending machine is available in the main public waiting area on the first floor.
• Interview room: Five interview rooms are available at this court.
• Waiting Room: This building has a public waiting area on the first floor.
• Baby changing facility: Baby changing facilities are available in the disabled toilets on the first floor.
• Video facilities: This court has Prison Video Link facilities which is also available for conferences and legal visits. To book a booth email [email protected] subject heading, Video Link Booking or telephone 01803 617898.
• Wireless network connection: This court has wireless Internet access available within the building via the GovWifi service.

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.

We don't yet list a family solicitor or mediator based in Torquay. Find a family solicitor or mediator who works across England and Wales, or ask us to match you with two or three who cover your area.

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