Carmarthen County Court and Family Court — self-representation guide

Essentials

Address

The Hearing Centre, Hill House, Picton Terrace, Carmarthen SA31 3BT

Telephone

0300 123 5577

Verified

2026-08-31

A calm, practical guide to representing yourself at Carmarthen County Court and Family Court. Written in plain English, covering the building, the case types it hears, and the realities of the day. Nothing here replaces tailored legal advice for your own situation.

REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-31

The essentials first

Official name: Carmarthen County Court and Family Court
Address (visits): The Hearing Centre, Hill House, Picton Terrace, Carmarthen SA31 3BT · Write to: County Court, 2nd Floor Court Buildings, Town Hall Square, Llanelli SA15 3AL
Enquiries: 0300 123 5577 (National Contact Centre for Civil & Family Court — Mon–Thu 9am–5pm, Fri 9am–4:30pm)
Divorce enquiries: 0300 303 0642 (Mon–Thu 9am–5pm, Fri 9am–4:30pm)
Welsh language helpline: 0300 303 5174 · Welsh speakers (divorce line): 0300 303 5171
Social security and child support: 0300 123 1142
Location code (County Court): 166 — HMCTS publishes a single code for this venue; no separate Family Court code is listed on the register
Opening times: the register does not publish general opening hours for this building — contact the court before travelling (verified 2026-08-31 from the HMCTS "Find a Court or Tribunal" listing).
Verified: 2026-08-31, from the HMCTS "Find a Court or Tribunal" register.

Getting there & security reality

The Hearing Centre stands on Picton Terrace on the western edge of Carmarthen town centre, close to the railway station and the A40/A48 trunk routes. It serves a wide rural patch of Carmarthenshire and west Wales — plan a generous margin for travel.

Getting there

Carmarthen railway station (West Wales line — Swansea, Llanelli, Pembroke Dock) is a few minutes' walk from Picton Terrace.
Carmarthen's bus station is close by, with services across Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion.
Town-centre car parks are within walking distance; check signs for the nearest pay-and-display.

The security reality

Expect airport-style security at the entrance; bags are searched.
Bring only what you need and allow extra time.
Family courts regularly hear domestic-abuse cases. Staff are used to anxious or upset visitors — say so if you need a moment or help finding your courtroom.

Facilities once inside (verified from the official listing)

Level access to the entrance and courtroom; disabled access and toilet facilities.
Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyards on request; assistance dogs welcome.
Hearing facilities can be provided on prior notice — contact the court in advance.
Four interview rooms on the ground floor — useful for meeting a supporter, McKenzie friend or solicitor.
Baby-changing facilities in the ground-floor disabled toilets; waiting room available.
Quiet/prayer room available on request; Wi-Fi and first-aid provision on site; video conference facility.
Need an interpreter? Ask the court in advance. Welsh speakers can use the dedicated helplines listed above.

Contacting the court (published by HMCTS)

family.llanelli.countycourt@justice.gov.uk — family court
enquiries.llanelli.countycourt@justice.gov.uk — county court / possession cases (administered via Llanelli)
sscsa-cardiff@justice.gov.uk — social security and child support
waleset@justice.gov.uk — Wales Employment Tribunal

Important administrative note: papers are administered through Llanelli — send correspondence there, not to Picton Terrace, to avoid delays.

Beware of scammers: HMCTS warns of scammers mimicking genuine court numbers and emails demanding payment. Never pay anyone who demands money by phone or email — report to Action Fraud.

What this court handles

HMCTS lists the following areas of law for this location:

Childcare arrangements if you separate from your partner (typically form C100)
Domestic abuse (form FL401)
Bankruptcy, housing, money claims, benefits and claims against employers

This list is general — check with the court or a family-law adviser if unsure about venue.

The C100 / FHDRA reality for a litigant in person

If you apply about a child without a lawyer you will most likely begin with a C100 application; your first hearing will probably be a First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment (FHDRA).

The FHDRA is largely administrative: identify the dispute, check safeguarding, and explore agreement with a judge and, where available, a CAFCASS officer. It is not a final trial.
Bring your completed form and documents; hearings can be short, and waiting is normal.
Because admin runs through Llanelli and no general opening hours are published, always confirm hearing dates and arrangements in advance.

FL401 / domestic abuse safety

If you are in danger right now: call 999. The Refuge National Domestic Abuse Helpline — 0808 2000 247 is free, confidential, 24/7. Welsh speakers can call the dedicated Welsh-language lines listed above.

An abusive person may monitor calls, messages and browsing history — research and prepare on a safe device. Keep a written record of incidents, dates and communications; tell the court about any police involvement or earlier orders. You are a survivor, not to blame.

A practical first-visit checklist

[ ] Case number and location code 166 written down
[ ] ID, copies of your application or order, and your papers
[ ] Hearing date and arrangements confirmed with the court in advance
[ ] Access/safety needs told to the court; arrive early
[ ] Your three points ready: what you ask, why, and what would help now

This guide gives general information about self-representation at Carmarthen County Court and Family Court. It is not legal advice. For advice specific to your situation, contact a family-law professional — and if you are in immediate danger, call 999.

YourFamilyCase.co.uk is an independent information directory — we are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to HMCTS, Carmarthen County Court and Family Court, or gov.uk. Court details are sourced from the public HMCTS register and reviewed for accuracy; always confirm the latest position directly with the court.

Official forms & guidance (gov.uk):

Content verified against the official HMCTS court directory, gov.uk forms and fees pages, and the professional body registers (SRA, FMC, Bar Council). Last reviewed September 2026.

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