Dartford County Court and Family Court — self-representation guide

REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-09-01

If you have a family hearing at Dartford County Court and Family Court and are representing yourself, this guide tells you what you need to know before you go: where the court is, how to contact it, what facilities exist, and what to expect. Everything on this page is taken from the official HMCTS "Find a court or tribunal" record for this venue, verified at source on 2026-09-01.

This page is independent, general information — not legal advice. We are not solicitors, we do not act for any party, and we take no referral fees from anyone listed or described here.

Court essentials

Official name: Dartford County Court and Family Court
Address: Home Gardens, Dartford, DA1 1DX
Court type: Family Court venue (HMCTS "Find a court or tribunal" record)
Phone (National Contact Centre — civil & family, paper applications including C100 and financial remedy): 0300 123 5577 (Mon–Fri, 8.30am–5pm)
Family-related email: enquiries.dartford.countycourt@justice.gov.uk
Verified at source: 2026-09-01 — official HMCTS record

Contact details (verified against the official HMCTS page)

Telephone

National Contact Centre for Civil & Family Court (Mon–Fri 8.30am–5pm): 0300 123 5577 — main route for paper-based family applications, including C100 child arrangements and financial remedy forms.
Enquiries: 0300 123 5577
Enquiries: 0300 303 0642

Email (@justice.gov.uk)

enquiries.dartford.countycourt@justice.gov.uk
kent.breathingspace@justice.gov.uk
Family.Dartford.CountyCourt@justice.gov.uk

Safety note on scams: HMCTS warns that scammers impersonate genuine HMCTS phone numbers and email addresses and may demand payment, claiming to be from HMRC or enforcement. If you are unsure, do not pay anything and report the matter to Action Fraud. HMCTS scam warning (gov.uk)

Opening times (official)

Counter open
For urgent matters only by prior appointment via the enquiries lines.
Court open
Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 16:00

Getting there & access

The court is at Home Gardens, Dartford, DA1 1DX. Plan your journey in advance and aim to arrive early — security checks at the door take time, and a hurried arrival adds stress on the day of a hearing.

By public transport: check live routes and times on National Rail Enquiries or your local bus operator's journey planner before you set out.
By car: parking near courthouses is often limited and time-restricted; check local signage, and allow extra time.
Disabled access: if you need help attending a hearing (step-free access, hearing loop, assistance), contact the court in advance using the numbers above so arrangements can be made.

What this court handles

Per the official HMCTS record, this venue's areas of law include: Breathing Space, County Court location code:, Court codes for legal professionals, DX:, DX: 98090 Dartford 2, Divorce hearings, Domestic abuse, Financial Remedy, Find out more about, Housing, Money claims, Register for the scheme. Family work typically covers child arrangements (C100), domestic abuse applications (FL401), financial remedy, divorce, adoption and public-law children cases, depending on the venue's designation. Always follow the court named on your notice of hearing — if your papers name a different court, it controls where you attend and file.

If you are representing yourself here

Bring several copies of every document: one for the judge or magistrates, one for the other party, and one for yourself.
Arrive 30–45 minutes early to clear security and find your courtroom; the listing is usually displayed near the entrance.
Free, independent help is available from Support Through Court and Citizens Advice.
Application forms and guidance are on GOV.UK and the HMCTS forms page.
If you fear attending in person (for example, a without-notice FL401 hearing or safety concerns), ask the court in advance about separate waiting areas and remote attendance options.

This site is an independent information resource for people representing themselves in the family courts of England and Wales. We are not connected to HMCTS, the Ministry of Justice, or any law firm, and we receive no referral fees. Nothing here is legal advice; for advice on your own case, consult a regulated family lawyer or a family mediation service.

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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