Preston Crown Court and Family Court (Sessions House) — self-representation guide
Essentials
A calm, practical guide to representing yourself at Preston Crown Court and Family Court (Sessions House). 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: Preston Crown Court and Family Court (Sessions House)
- Address: The Family Court, Sessions House, Lancaster Road, Preston PR1 2PD
- 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: Family Court location code: 303 (Crown Court code 448) · DX: 310201 Preston 31
- Email: lancashirefamilyapplications@justice.gov.uk; family.preston.countycourt@justice.gov.uk; lancashirefamilylisting@justice.gov.uk
- 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
Sessions House is the imposing grade-listed court building on Lancaster Road near Preston's Harris museum and the Flag Market. Family business from across Lancashire, including hearings transferred from the Leyland Family Hearing Centre, is administered through the Preston family team — quote your case number when emailing.
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 business for Lancashire including adoption, public and private law children cases, alongside Crown Court work in the same building
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 Preston Crown Court and Family Court (Sessions House). 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, Preston Crown Court and Family Court (Sessions House), 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)
- Preston Crown Court and Family Court (Sessions House) — 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.
Preparing your own papers for a hearing at Preston Crown Court and Family Court (Sessions House)? 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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