East London Family Court — self-representation guide

Essentials

Address

11 Westferry Circus, London E14 4HD

Telephone

020 7538 6000

Verified

2026-08-26

Reviewed by Sean McNamara on 2026-10-21

If you are representing yourself in a family matter, you are not alone. This guide lays out, plainly and without judgement, what to expect at East London Family Court so you can walk in more prepared and less uncertain.

The essentials

Address: East London Family Court, 6th and 7th Floor, 11 Westferry Circus (entrance in Columbus Courtyard), Canary Wharf, London E14 4HD
Phone (directory listing, listings/enquiries): 020 7538 6000
Phone (HMCTS court enquiries, official): 0300 123 5577
Phone (HMCTS appointments): 0203 197 2806
Phone (Family public law / children in care, case numbers starting C5): 0330 808 4424
Court code / location code: 121 · DX: 316201 Docklands 3
Court type: Designated Family Court (handles adoption, divorce, public law, care orders, domestic abuse, female genital mutilation and forced marriage matters)
Court opening times (official): Monday–Friday 8.30am–5pm
Counter opening times (official): Monday–Friday 8.30am–4pm

Contact and enquiries (official HMCTS details)

These are the contact routes listed on the official HMCTS "Find a court or tribunal" page for East London Family Court. Use the enquiry email address for general and C100 (child arrangements) applications.

Telephone

Enquiries: 0300 123 5577
Appointments: 0203 197 2806
Family public law (children in care, digital cases starting C5): 0330 808 4424
If you have a disability and need help coming to a hearing, call 0300 123 5577

Email (@justice.gov.uk)

Family court enquiries (including C100 applications): eastlondonfamilyenquiries@justice.gov.uk
Family public law / children in care (digital cases starting C5): contactfpl@justice.gov.uk
Appeals: eastlondonfamilyappeals@justice.gov.uk
Transcripts: eastlondonfamilytranscripts@justice.gov.uk
Urgent without notice applications (e.g. non-molestation and prohibited steps): elfcurgentapps@justice.gov.uk
Female genital mutilation (FGM) matters: fgm.eastlondonfc@justice.gov.uk
Private-law C2 applications: elfc.c2@justice.gov.uk
Court-approved intermediary bookings only: elfcintermediary@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 scam to Action Fraud. HMCTS scam warning (gov.uk)

Getting there

East London Family Court is at 6th and 7th Floor, 11 Westferry Circus (entrance in Columbus Courtyard), Canary Wharf, London E14 4HD. The court sits in the heart of Canary Wharf, which means your first practical hurdle is not legal — it is transport, and it deserves planning.

By train/DLR (Transport for London)

Per TfL's official Canary Wharf station page, the station is in Travelcard Zone 2 and is served by three rail lines:

Jubilee line (London Underground)
Elizabeth line
Docklands Light Railway (DLR)

Canary Wharf Station is at Heron Quays Road, London E14 4HJ. TfL lists ticket halls, escalators, lifts, toilets, WiFi, help points, cash machines and payphones at the station. For live journey planning and status, use TfL's Canary Wharf page or call TfL's travel-planning help line on 0343 222 1234.

Check the live TfL status before you travel: step-free access at a station can be affected by a faulty lift or other temporary disruption, and Canary Wharf is an enclosed estate where signage can be unclear. TfL's Canary Wharf page is the place to confirm the current position on the day.

Other options (per TfL/Canary Wharf)

Bus: multiple routes serve Canary Wharf.
Santander Cycles: docking stations are available in the area.
Taxi: licensed taxi ranks are located around the estate, including at Upper Bank Street (near Canary Wharf station) and at 40 Bank Street and 50 Bank Street.
Walking: the court is a short walk from the station; expect foot traffic and one-way systems during rush hour.

Do not rely on a smartphone map or GPS alone once inside the estate — signage can be unclear. It is worth doing a practice run before your hearing day, or at least confirming the exact building location the day before.
Arrive early. Court staff deal with many people daily, and being hurried adds stress you do not need.

What cases this court handles

East London Family Court is a Designated Family Court, meaning it is set up to deal with a range of family matters. According to the official HMCTS "Find a court or tribunal" page, it handles:

Adoption
Childcare arrangements if you separate from your partner
Divorce hearings
Domestic abuse
Public law proceedings, where a local authority is involved and the court considers the welfare of a child
Care orders, where the court decides where a child should live and who has parental responsibility when there are safeguarding concerns
Female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced marriage matters

What this court does not do is hear every kind of family case. Not all family cases are heard here. If you are unsure whether your matter belongs at East London Family Court:

Check your court documents. The notice of hearing and any correspondence you received will name the court and the address where you are expected.
Ask the listings office. Court staff are there to point you in the right direction. It is always better to ask a question than to arrive at the wrong hearing on the wrong day.

Facilities and accessibility (official HMCTS details)

Per the official HMCTS page for this court:

Disabled access: the building has level access to the building entrance and to the courtroom.
Hidden Disabilities Sunflower network: lanyards are available on request.
Assistance dogs: welcome.
Hearing loop: hearing loop facilities are available.
Interview/consultation rooms: available on the 6th and 7th floors.
Baby changing facilities: available on the 6th and 7th floors.
For interpreters/translators, see the official interpreter guidance.

Domestic abuse / FL401 safety

If you are experiencing domestic abuse, please know you are not alone and the court takes abuse seriously. This court handles domestic abuse matters, and there is help available to you.

FL401 is the court application form used to apply for a non-molestation order (which stops someone threatening or using violence towards you) or an occupation order (which decides who can live in the family home). You can often apply for one of these urgently, sometimes without telling the other person first.

Refuge National Domestic Abuse Helpline (freephone, 24/7): 0808 2000 247
Emergency: if you are in immediate danger, call 999.
Non-emergency police: 101 for non-urgent concerns or to report something that is not an emergency.

Please use a safe device. "Safe" means a phone, computer or tablet that an abusive partner or ex-partner cannot access — for example a device at work, at a trusted friend or family member's home, or a library. Calls, messages, browsing history and app activity can be monitored on a device or account that the abuser has access to, so take care when researching this information or applying for an order. If you are worried your device is being monitored, consider seeking help from a service you trust or where you know the device is private.

Links you may find helpful:

What to expect at a family hearing

A family hearing is a formal but controlled setting. Knowing what is routine can take much of the fear out of it.

You will wait. Hearings run late and overrun. Bring water, something to read, and a clear idea of what you want to say.
Security and checks are normal. Allow time to pass through.
The judge is there to make decisions in the child's best interests, not to judge you as a person. Speak calmly, address the judge respectfully, and answer questions directly.
Representing yourself means the court will try to ensure you understand the process. You are allowed to take notes, and you should feel able to ask the judge or court staff to explain anything you do not follow. It is far better to ask than to guess.
Outcomes vary. A hearing may result in a decision, or it may simply be a step toward another hearing. Not every day in court produces a final answer, and that is normal.
You are likely to feel overwhelmed. Court is intimidating even for professionals. Take it one step at a time.

A practical first-visit checklist

Before your first visit, work through this list so nothing catches you by surprise:

[ ] Confirm the court name and address on your notice of hearing — make sure your case is listed at East London Family Court (6th and 7th Floor, 11 Westferry Circus, Canary Wharf, London E14 4HD).
[ ] If unsure it is the right court, call the listing office on 020 7538 6000 or the HMCTS enquiries line on 0300 123 5577 to confirm.
[ ] Check the court's opening times — court open Monday–Friday 8.30am–5pm; counter open Monday–Friday 8.30am–4pm.
[ ] Plan your journey and arrival time — allow extra time for Canary Wharf's transport and walking; check live status on TfL's Canary Wharf page.
[ ] If you have a disability and need help attending, call the HMCTS line on 0300 123 5577 in advance.
[ ] Bring your court documents, a form of ID, and anything the court asked you to bring.
[ ] Bring a notebook and pen to record anything important.
[ ] Dress comfortably but respectably; you may be waiting some time.
[ ] Arrange childcare or time off in advance so you are not rushed on the day.
[ ] Prepare in plain words what you want the judge to know, and keep it calm and specific.
[ ] Remember that court staff are there to help you navigate the building and the process — ask for help when you need it.

You are entitled to a fair hearing. Preparing for the practical realities — the travel, the waiting, the uncertainty — is one of the best things you can do to give yourself a steadier day.

YourFamilyCase.co.uk is an independent information directory — we are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to HMCTS, East London 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):

Preparing your own papers for a hearing at East London Family Court? EvidenceCanvas is an online tool for people who represent themselves in the family court. You add your messages, letters and orders, and it helps you put together a chronology, an exhibit bundle and a draft statement. It checks its own drafts and points out anything to fix. You check and finish every document yourself.

It is a paid tool with monthly plans and one-off options, and a limited free plan to try it. Check the current prices on its website before you choose a plan. It is not a law firm, it does not give legal advice and it cannot tell you how your case will turn out. If you can get legal advice or legal aid, consider that first.

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