Nottingham County Court and Family Court — self-representation guide

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 Nottingham County Court and Family Court so you can walk in more prepared and less uncertain. Most family hearings — including child arrangements and domestic-abuse matters — are held at the Nottingham Justice Centre on Carrington Street, opposite the railway station.

The essentials

• Family Court address (where most family hearings are held): Nottingham Justice Centre, Carrington Street, Nottingham NG2 1EE
• County Court address (civil matters): County Court at Nottingham, 60 Canal Street, Nottingham NG1 7EJ
• Phone (HMCTS National Contact Centre for Civil & Family Court — general & family court enquiries): 0300 123 5577 (Monday–Friday 8.30am–5pm)
• Phone (Divorce Contact Centre): 0300 303 0642 (Monday–Friday 10am–6pm)
• Phone (Family public law / children in care, digital cases starting C5): 0330 808 4424
• Counter appointment booking: 0115 910 3405
• Court code / County Court & Family Court location code: 286
• DX: 702380 Nottingham 7
• Court type: County Court and Designated Family Court (handles adoption, divorce, childcare arrangements, domestic abuse, financial remedy and other family matters)
• Court opening times (official): Monday–Friday 9am–4pm
• Counter opening times (official): By appointment only
• Last verified: 2026-08-27 (`verifiedAt`) 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. Use the family court enquiry email for general and C100 (child arrangements) and FL401 (domestic-abuse injunction) applications, and the dedicated private/public-law and financial routes where they apply.

Telephone

• Enquiries (National Contact Centre for Civil & Family Court): 0300 123 5577 (Monday–Friday 8.30am–5pm)
• Divorce Contact Centre: 0300 303 0642 (Monday–Friday 10am–6pm)
• Family public law (children in care, digital cases starting C5, issued via the FPL portal): 0330 808 4424
• Family public law (children in care, cases starting C0 or C4, not issued via the FPL portal): 0300 123 5577
• Adoption: 0300 123 5577
• Counter appointments: 0115 910 3405
• If you have a disability and need help coming to a hearing, call 0300 123 5577

Email (@justice.gov.uk)

• Family court (Private Law / C100 child arrangements, FL401 domestic-abuse injunctions, Public Law not issued via FPL, and Adoption): family.nottingham.countycourt@justice.gov.uk
• Family public law / children in care (digital cases starting C5): contactfpl@justice.gov.uk
• Financial Remedy (and Divorce): FRCnottingham@justice.gov.uk
• Enquiries (Civil): enquiries.nottingham.countycourt@justice.gov.uk
• Listing: hearings.nottingham.countycourt@justice.gov.uk
• Enforcement / bailiffs: bailiffs.nottingham.countycourt@justice.gov.uk
• Breathing space: nottingham.breathingspace@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 & access

Nottingham County Court and Family Court sits right in the city centre, in two linked locations: the Nottingham Justice Centre at Carrington Street, NG2 1EE (where family hearings take place) and the County Court at Nottingham, 60 Canal Street, NG1 7EJ (civil matters). Both are a very short walk from the railway station, which makes the journey simple on the day.

By train

• Nottingham Railway Station is directly opposite the Justice Centre on Carrington Street, served by East Midlands Railway and CrossCountry services (regular connections from Derby, Leicester, Sheffield and London St Pancras International). The County Court on Canal Street is a short walk from the station.
• Check live journey planning and service status via National Rail Enquiries before you leave.

By tram / bus

• The Nottingham Express Transit (NET) tram network serves the city centre, with the Nottingham Station stop served by the Clifton South and Phoenix Park lines, a short walk from the courts.
• Numerous Nottingham City Transport and Trentbarton bus routes stop on Carrington Street, Canal Street and Queen's Road within walking distance of both locations.

Parking

• City-centre Nottingham means parking is mostly in paid car parks and NCP sites near the station and city centre. There is no on-site visitor parking at the courts, so plan and allow extra time; city-centre car parks can fill early on hearing days.

Building accessibility (official HMCTS details)

• Disabled access: the building has a ramp to the entrance, a lift between the ground and first floors, and level access into court and hearing rooms.
• Hidden Disabilities Sunflower network: lanyards available on request.
• Assistance dogs: welcome.
• Hearing loop: portable hearing enhancement system available by prior arrangement — contact the court by telephone or email to let them know your requirements.
• Refreshments: restaurant facilities available on site.
• Baby changing facility: available.
• Witness service: Support Through Court is available on site to provide assistance.
• For interpreters/translators, see the official interpreter guidance.

What cases this court handles

According to the official HMCTS "Find a court or tribunal" page, Nottingham County Court and Family Court handles:

• Adoption
• Bankruptcy
• Childcare arrangements if you separate from your partner
• Divorce hearings
• Domestic abuse
• Financial Remedy
• High Court cases — serious or high-profile criminal or civil law cases
• Housing and money claims
• Breathing Space (debt respite scheme)

For family matters this court is a venue for C100 (child arrangements) applications, FL401 (domestic-abuse injunction) applications, divorce, financial remedy, adoption and related private and public-law matters. Family hearings are typically held at the Nottingham Justice Centre, Carrington Street.

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

• Check your court documents. The notice of hearing and any correspondence you received will name the court and address where you are expected (including which of the two buildings).
• 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.

The C100 / FHDRA reality

For most self-representing parents, the journey starts with a C100 application (a child arrangements, prohibited steps or specific issue order). The first hearing is usually a FHDRA (First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment), and it is worth knowing what it actually is.

• The FHDRA is not the final hearing and almost never decides the case. Its purpose is for the judge to understand the dispute, check what is agreed and what is not, and identify whether mediation could resolve it without a longer contested hearing.
• You may attend by phone or video for many FHDRA hearings, though the judge can direct attendance in person. Confirm the arrangements on your hearing notice — and check whether Nottingham has listed your hearing for a video/phone link.
• Cafcass (the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service) will usually be involved and will carry out safeguarding checks before this hearing.
• The judge will often give directions — things each side must do (for example, attend mediation, file a position statement) before the next hearing. Make a note of every deadline.
• You are allowed to take notes and to ask the judge or court staff to explain anything you do not follow. It is far better to ask than to guess.
• Bring a copy of your C100 and any response, plus anything the court has asked you to bring.

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 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 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:

• Domestic violence – injunctions (non-molestation and occupation orders) — official gov.uk guide
• Refuge — National Domestic Abuse Helpline (need help now)

Financial remedy note

Where a divorce or dissolution also involves dividing money, property and pensions, the court process uses Form E (a full financial statement). Both sides must give full and frank disclosure of their finances — this is a core obligation and the court expects it even from self-representing parties. The aim is often to reach agreement, but the court has the power to make a financial order if you cannot. For financial remedy and divorce matters, Nottingham's dedicated route is FRCnottingham@justice.gov.uk.

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 — check which building your case is listed at: Nottingham Justice Centre, Carrington Street NG2 1EE (family) or the County Court at Nottingham, 60 Canal Street NG1 7EJ (civil).
• [ ] If unsure it is the right court or building, call the HMCTS enquiries line on 0300 123 5577 to confirm.
• [ ] Check the court's opening times — court open Monday–Friday 9am–4pm; the counter is by appointment only (book on 0115 910 3405), so call ahead if you need to see staff.
• [ ] If you have a disability and need help attending (including hearing-loop or wheelchair arrangements), contact the court office in advance on 0300 123 5577.
• [ ] Plan your journey and parking (Nottingham Station is directly opposite the Justice Centre) and allow extra time.
• [ ] Bring your court documents, a form of ID, and anything the court asked you to bring (including a copy of your C100 or FL401).
• [ ] 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 and the on-site Support Through Court service 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, Nottingham County Court and 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):

• Nottingham County Court and Family Court — HMCTS official "Find a court or tribunal" page
• Form C100 — Apply for a court order about a child (child arrangements, prohibited steps or specific issue order)
• Form FL401 — Apply for a non-molestation or occupation order (domestic abuse)
• Apply for a child arrangements order / court order
• Domestic violence – injunctions (non-molestation and occupation orders)
• Form C110A — Application for a care or supervision order or an Emergency Protection Order
• MyHMCTS — how to apply for a family public law order
• Find a solicitor (Law Society)
• What to expect when you come to court