Lancaster Courthouse (Civil & Family Court) — self-representation guide
Essentials
A calm, practical guide to representing yourself at Lancaster Courthouse (Civil & 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: Lancaster Courthouse (Civil & Family Court)
- Address: Lancaster Court House, George Street, Lancaster LA1 1XZ
- Enquiries: 0300 123 5577 (National Contact Centre for Civil & Family Court — Mon to Fri, 8:30am–5pm)
- Divorce enquiries: 0300 303 0642 (Divorce Contact Centre — Mon to Fri, 10am–6pm)
- Family public law (children in care): 0330 808 4424
- Court codes: County Court location code: 242
- Email: familyapplications@justice.gov.uk (family public law — children in care)
- Verified: 2026-08-31, from the HMCTS "Find a Court or Tribunal" register and court-data register entries derived from it.
Getting there & security reality
The Court House sits on George Street near Lancaster's canal quarter, around 15 minutes' walk from Lancaster railway station on the West Coast Main Line. Lancaster Crown Court is listed as no longer in service, with crown business transferred elsewhere — this building remains the local civil and family venue.
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.
Contacting the court
Email the family team quoting your case number where an address is listed above; otherwise use the national contact centres. Confirm any email address on the court's official HMCTS listing before sending.
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:
- Family Court cases including family public law (children in care)
- civil and family business for the Lancaster area
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.
- Family public law applications (children in care) increasingly run through a digital process for case numbers starting with C5 — quote your case number in any email.
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.
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 court details written down
- [ ] ID, copies of your application or order, and your papers
- [ ] Counter appointment booked in advance if needed; access/safety needs told to the court
- [ ] Arrive early; ask front-of-house for your courtroom
- [ ] Your three points ready: what you ask, why, and what would help now
This guide gives general information about self-representation at Lancaster Courthouse (Civil & 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, Lancaster Courthouse (Civil & 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):
- Apply for a court order about a child (C100) · Apply online here
- Form C100 (HMCTS)
- Get an injunction for domestic violence · Form FL401 (HMCTS)
- Lancaster Courthouse (Civil & Family Court) — official contact page (HMCTS)
- What to expect coming to a court or tribunal (gov.uk) · Get an interpreter (gov.uk)
- Refuge National Domestic Abuse Helpline — 0808 2000 247
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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