West Cumbria Courthouse

What family cases does West Cumbria Courthouse 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, employment, 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 West Cumbria Courthouse 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 Carlisle area took a median of 27.1 weeks from application to final order in April to June 2026, down from 29.0 weeks a year earlier. That is slower than the median of 24.7 weeks across England and Wales. 47% of cases finished within 26 weeks. At the end of June 2026, 222 children cases were still open in the Carlisle area, and 9% 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. This area finishes a small number of cases each quarter, so its median can move a lot from one quarter to the next.

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 West Cumbria Courthouse to the Carlisle 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 West Cumbria Courthouse?

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]
  Enquiries: County Court enquiries
• [email protected]
  Enquiries: Family Court enquiries

Opening hours

• Court open: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
• Counter open: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm (Magistrates) & 10am to 2pm (County)
• 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.

• No parking: There are no parking facilities at this building except for blue badge holders (subject to prior arrangements). The nearest public car park is located opposite the court at Marks and Spencer.
• Disabled access: Disabled access and toilet facilities are available. Parking is available to orange badge holders.
• Assistance dogs: Assistance dogs are welcome.
• Hearing Loop: Sound reinforcement as well as fixed and portable induction loop facilities are available.
• Interview room: Rooms are available on request.
• Baby changing facility: Changing facilities are available at Workington court, please ask the court usher. However, children should not be brought to court unless they have someone to look after them whilst you are in court.
• Video facilities: Court/hearing room video conferencing facilities and prison to court video link facilities are available (by prior arrangement)
• Hidden disabilities: This site supports the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme. Lanyards relating to the scheme are available upon request at the court.
• 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 Workington

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

See divorce solicitors in Cumbria, with local costs.