Eastbourne County Court and Family Court — self-representation guide

A calm, practical guide to representing yourself at Eastbourne 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: Eastbourne County Court and Family Court
Address: The Law Courts, Old Orchard Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN21 4UN
Enquiries: 01323 727 518; 0300 123 5577 (National Contact Centre for Civil & Family Court)
IMPORTANT status note: third-party listings of the HMCTS register reported on the review date that this hearing centre was not open to the public, with family and civil work listed elsewhere in Sussex (for example Brighton and Hastings). Check the official HMCTS page for Eastbourne County Court and Family Court before travelling anywhere.
Verified: 2026-08-31, from HMCTS "Find a Court or Tribunal" register data.

What Eastbourne handles — and where your case may actually be

Eastbourne's Law Courts on Old Orchard Road historically hosted County Court and family proceedings for the Eastbourne area. Where a hearing centre is closed to the public, hearings are normally listed at the nearest remaining venue (Brighton, Hastings or Lewes in the Sussex cluster). Your listing notice is authoritative — it names the venue, so follow that, not the historic venue name.

Getting there

The Law Courts sit off Old Orchard Road, close to Eastbourne station (roughly a 5–10 minute walk) and the Gildredge Road area. If your hearing is confirmed at this venue, arrive at least 45 minutes early.

The security reality

Expect airport-style security; bags are searched.
Family courts regularly hear domestic-abuse cases. Ask staff for a separate waiting area if you need one.
Arrive at least 45 minutes early.

Facilities

If you have a disability and need help coming to a hearing, contact the National Contact Centre on 0300 123 5577 in advance.
Need an interpreter? Ask the court well in advance.

Contacting the court

01323 727 518 — Eastbourne direct line (check it is still in service)
0300 123 5577 — National Contact Centre for Civil & Family Court
0300 303 0642 — Divorce Contact Centre (Mon–Fri 10am–6pm)

Always quote your case number (16 digits).

Before your hearing day

1. Read the listing order — it is the definitive statement of venue and time. 2. Prepare a short position statement and bring copies. 3. Bring the ordered bundle, plus your own copy.

Useful official links

HMCTS court finder: https://www.find-court-tribunal.service.gov.uk/ (search "Eastbourne")
GOV.UK — represent yourself in court: https://www.gov.uk/represent-yourself-in-court
GOV.UK — family court hearings: https://www.gov.uk/family-court-hearings

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.

Preparing your own papers for a hearing at Eastbourne County Court and 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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