Wakefield Civil and Family Justice Centre

What family cases does Wakefield Civil and Family Justice Centre deal with?

HM Courts and Tribunals Service lists this court for:

• 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.
• 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, High Court district registry work, housing possession, 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 Wakefield Civil and Family Justice Centre 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 a children or money dispute, 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 West Yorkshire area took a median of 15.1 weeks from application to final order in April to June 2026, down from 21.1 weeks a year earlier. That is quicker than the median of 24.7 weeks across England and Wales. 78% of cases finished within 26 weeks. At the end of June 2026, 1,075 children cases were still open in the West Yorkshire area, and 5% 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 Wakefield Civil and Family Justice Centre to the West Yorkshire 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 Wakefield Civil and Family Justice Centre?

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 303 0642
  Enquiries: Divorce Contact Centre, Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm
• 0300 123 5577
  Enquiries: National Contact Centre for Civil & Family Court Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5pm
• 0300 123 5577
  Family court: Family Court Private Law

Email

• [email protected]
  Applications: Family Applications only
• [email protected]
  Family court: Including Urgent Family enquiries

Opening hours

• Court open: 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday
• Counter service by appointment only: 10am to 2pm

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.

• Disabled access: Disabled Access to all floors, platform lift access to public counter. If you have a disability and need help coming to a hearing, please contact 0300 123 5577.
• Waiting Room: Public Waiting Room
• Interview room: 10 consultation rooms are available, 2 private interview rooms at counter
• Prayer / Quiet room: Prayer/Quiet Room available
• Public toilets: Public toilets
• First Aid: Trained first aider on site
• Assistance dogs: Assistance dogs are welcome
• Video facilities: Video conference facilities excluding prison to court video links
• Disabled toilet: Accessible toilets available
• Refreshments: Refreshments are available from the vending machines on site.
• Baby changing facility: Baby changing facility available
• Witness care: This court has a vulnerable witness waiting area.
• Hearing Loop: This court has hearing enhancement facilities
• 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 Wakefield

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

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