Family Division (Royal Courts of Justice) — self-representation guide

REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-09-01

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 Family Division so you can walk in more prepared and less uncertain. It is not legal advice — court details below are sourced from the public HMCTS register and verified against the official "Find a court or tribunal" page on 2026-09-01.

About the name. HMCTS's active listing for this building is Family Division. The court is open. Use the current official name and address below, and always go to the court named on your notice of hearing.

The essentials first

Official name: Family Division
Address: 1st Mezzanine, Queen’s Building, The Royal Courts of Justice, Strand, London, WC2A 2LL
Phone (Enquiries): 020 7947 7551 / 020 7947 7397
Phone (Enquiries): 020 7947 7192 (Family Division Appeals)
Phone (Counter appointments): 020 7947 7305 (Appointments only)
Phone (Listing): 0207 947 6543 (Listing Enquires)
Phone (Listing): 0207 947 7725 / 1632 (DoLs Listing Enquiries)
DX: 44450 Strand
Court open: Monday to Friday 9am to 4:30 pm
Counter open: 10am to 4:30pm
Telephone enquiries answered: 9.00 am - 5.00 pm
Verified: 2026-09-01, from the HMCTS "Find a Court or Tribunal" register

Contact and enquiries (official HMCTS details)

These are the contact routes listed on the official HMCTS "Find a court or tribunal" page for Family Division.

Telephone

Enquiries: 020 7947 7551 / 020 7947 7397
Enquiries: 020 7947 7192 (Family Division Appeals)
Counter appointments: 020 7947 7305 (Appointments only)
Listing: 0207 947 6543 (Listing Enquires)
Listing: 0207 947 7725 / 1632 (DoLs Listing Enquiries)

Email (@justice.gov.uk)

rcj.familyhighcourt@justice.gov.uk — Enquiries — Family Court General Office Mailbox.
rcj.nationaldolscourt@justice.gov.uk — Enquiries — National DoLS Court, Email contact (HCFD.
appeals.familydivision@justice.gov.uk — Enquiries — Family Division Appeals.
rcj.familylisting@justice.gov.uk — Listing — List Office Email contact.
If you are unsure which route applies, call the HMCTS National Contact Centre on 0300 123 5577 (civil and family) or the Courts and Tribunals Service Centre on 0330 808 4407 (magistrates' court enquiries) and ask.

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 & access

Family Division sits at 1st Mezzanine, Queen’s Building, The Royal Courts of Justice, Strand, London, WC2A 2LL.

By rail: check National Rail for the nearest station to the court and live departures before travelling.
By bus: use a live journey planner to confirm routes and stop locations on the day you travel.
By car: public parking nearby varies — check signage, time limits and charges before you leave the car, as policies change and penalties are common.

Check live travel before you go — engineering works and delays can change things on the day. Arrive early; court staff deal with many people daily, and a hurried arrival only adds stress.

What cases this court handles

This building is listed on the official HMCTS register for the court work associated with Family Division. Contact the court or the HMCTS enquiries line to confirm where your type of hearing will take place.

Not every family case is heard at every building. If you are unsure whether your matter belongs here:

Check your court documents. The notice of hearing and any correspondence you receive will name the court and the address where you are expected.
Ask the court. Call the HMCTS enquiries line on 0300 123 5577 (civil and family) — court staff are there to point you in the right direction.

Appeals: what this building means for your family case

Family appeals from the Family Court and county courts go up the appeal chain, and some appeal hearings in family matters are heard at the Royal Courts of Justice in London. In outline:

First step is usually permission to appeal. You apply for permission (often on form N161) and the court decides whether your case is arguable enough to be heard.
Appeals review decisions; they do not redo the case. The appeal court looks at whether the judge made an error of law or was plainly wrong on the evidence.
Deadlines are short. Appeal applications generally have a 21-day time limit from the decision — check the current rules and gov.uk guidance before you act.
Get independent advice if you can. Appeals are technical; a solicitor, barrister or Support Through Court can help you understand whether an appeal is realistic.

FL401 / domestic-abuse safety

If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you are not alone. 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 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.

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's or family member's home, or a library. Calls, messages, browsing history and app activity can be monitored on a device or account the abuser has access to, so take care when researching this information or applying for an order.

Links you may find helpful:

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 Family Division (1st Mezzanine, Queen’s Building, The Royal Courts of Justice, Strand, London, WC2A 2LL).
[ ] If unsure it is the right court, call the HMCTS enquiries line on 0300 123 5577 to confirm.
[ ] If you have a disability and need help attending, contact the court in advance.
[ ] Plan your journey and arrival time — check live rail/bus status before you set off.
[ ] 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, Family Division, 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, because court listing and status information changes. This page is general information and is not legal advice.

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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