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Family courts in England and Wales

Every court that HM Courts and Tribunals Service lists for divorce, money or children cases, with addresses, phone numbers, opening hours, accessibility and how long cases are taking where you live.

166 family courts listed.

There are 166 family courts and hearing centres in England and Wales. You won't normally visit one to get divorced, because divorce applications are dealt with centrally online. You're more likely to go to your local family court for a hearing about your children, your finances or protection from domestic abuse.

166courts and hearing centres listed for family workHMCTS, 20 October 2026
24.7 wksmedian for a children case between parents or relativesMoJ, April to June 2026
40 wksmedian from divorce application to final order, mostly without a hearingMoJ, April to June 2026

Do you need to go to a family court to get divorced?

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 (GOV.UK). You apply, the other person responds and you apply for the conditional order and the final order, all without a hearing if the divorce isn't disputed.

A local family court comes in when a judge needs to decide something: arrangements for your children, how to split money and property, or an order to protect you from abuse. Our step-by-step guide to divorce shows where each of these fits.

Facing a hearing? Get matched with two or three family solicitors or mediators who know your local court. It's free.

The list below is grouped by HM Courts and Tribunals Service region. Search for your town or postcode to narrow it down, or use the official court finder to search by distance from your postcode.

Family courts in London

12 courts covering Greater London. Children cases in this region took a median of 38.8 weeks in April to June 2026.

Family courts in the South East

43 courts covering Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire. Children cases in this region took a median of 32.9 weeks in April to June 2026.

Family courts in the South West

23 courts covering Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Dorset, Wiltshire, Somerset, Bristol, Gloucestershire, Devon and Cornwall. Children cases in this region took a median of 25.1 weeks in April to June 2026.

Family courts in the Midlands

19 courts covering the West Midlands, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Lincolnshire. Children cases in this region took a median of 19.9 weeks in April to June 2026.

Family courts in the North East

33 courts covering Yorkshire, the Humber, Teesside, County Durham and Tyne and Wear. Children cases in this region took a median of 19.6 weeks in April to June 2026.

Family courts in the North West

19 courts covering Merseyside, Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Lancashire and Cumbria. Children cases in this region took a median of 31.6 weeks in April to June 2026.

Family courts in Wales

17 courts covering every part of Wales. Children cases in this region took a median of 11.0 weeks in April to June 2026.

Divorce and finance processing centres

These offices process paperwork and don't hold hearings, so you won't be asked to go there. They appear on court letters and in addresses for post.

  • Bury St Edmunds Regional Divorce Centre
    2nd Floor, Triton House, St Andrews Str North, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1TR
  • Divorce Service Centre
    HMCTS Divorce and Dissolution Service, PO Box 13226, Harlow, CM20 9UG
    0300 303 0642 (Enquiries: Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm), 0300 303 5171 (Enquiries: Welsh Speakers)

How long are family courts taking in each region?

Where you live makes a big difference to how long a children case takes. In April to June 2026, the median ranged from 11.0 weeks in Wales to 38.8 weeks in London. Each court page shows the figure for its own area where the Ministry of Justice publishes one.

HMCTS regionMedianA year earlierWithin 26 weeks
Wales11.0 weeks10.0 weeks89%
North East19.6 weeks21.9 weeks63%
Midlands19.9 weeks25.0 weeks60%
South West25.1 weeks27.1 weeks51%
North West31.6 weeks30.1 weeks39%
South East32.9 weeks32.1 weeks41%
London38.8 weeks45.1 weeks34%
England and Wales24.7 weeks26.4 weeks52%

Private law children cases, weeks from application to final order. Source: Ministry of Justice, Family Court Statistics Quarterly: April to June 2026, published 24 September 2026.

Our family court waiting times tracker has the national figures for divorce and financial cases too, updated every quarter.

What should I expect at a family court hearing?

Family hearings are held in private, usually in a meeting room or a small courtroom rather than a large public court. Most hearings about children start with a first hearing (a FHDRA) where the judge tries to narrow down what you disagree about, and most money cases start with a first appointment. Our guide to divorce and family court terms explains what each hearing is for.

  • Arrive early. Many courts search every visitor and their bags at the entrance, which can mean a queue.
  • Bring your paperwork, including your case number, the court's letters and any documents you've been told to file.
  • Ask for what you need in advance, such as a hearing loop, an interpreter, step-free access or a separate waiting room. Each court page lists the facilities HMCTS publishes for that building.
  • Check whether your hearing is remote. Some hearings take place by phone or video, and the court will tell you how to join.

Common questions

Do I have to go to court to get divorced?

Usually not. Divorce applications in England and Wales are handled centrally by the HMCTS divorce service, online or by post, and most undefended divorces finish without either of you going to a court building.

Which family court will deal with my case?

For children and money cases, the court is normally one near where you or your children live. When you apply, HM Courts and Tribunals Service decides which court hears the case and tells you in writing, with the court name on your letters and emails.

How long do family court cases take?

In April to June 2026, children cases between parents or relatives took a median of 24.7 weeks across England and Wales, from 11.0 weeks in Wales to 38.8 weeks in London.

Can I bring someone with me to a family court hearing?

You can bring someone for support, and they can usually wait with you. Whether they can come into the hearing is up to the judge, because family hearings are held in private. A McKenzie friend can sit with you and help, if the court agrees.

What should I do if I feel unsafe going to court?

Tell the court before the hearing. You can ask for measures such as a separate waiting room, different arrival and leaving times or a screen in the courtroom. If you're in immediate danger, call 999.

Sources

  1. HM Courts and Tribunals Service, Find a court or tribunal, court details checked 20 October 2026. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
  2. Ministry of Justice, Family Court Statistics Quarterly: April to June 2026, published 24 September 2026
  3. GOV.UK, Get a divorce: how to apply
How long a divorce takesThe legal minimum and the latest court figuresChild arrangements order without a solicitorForm C100 and each hearingDivorce and family court feesEvery fee, with the form number

This page is general information, not legal advice. Court details change, so check the official court page before you travel. Court information last checked 20 October 2026.