MyHMCTS and e-filing — what litigants in person can (and can't) do digitally

REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-30

Solicitors file most family documents digitally through MyHMCTS, HMCTS's online case management portal. If you're representing yourself, the picture is changing — digital routes are expanding, but paper and email remain fully open to you. This guide sets out what LiPs can use today. It is general information, not legal advice.

What MyHMCTS is

MyHMCTS is HMCTS's professional portal: solicitors and barristers register for an account, log in, issue applications, file documents, and track cases electronically in supported jurisdictions. It covers most family work (divorce, financial remedy, children cases) for professional users.

What self-representing parties can use

Divorce online: the gov.uk divorce service is fully open to individual applicants (sole or joint) — you don't need MyHMCTS; the public service walks you through the D8, the conditional order and final order applications
C100 online (in stages): HMCTS has rolled out digital C100 filing for some users; availability varies, and paper C100 (posted to your local family court) remains a complete alternative
MyHMCTS for LiPs: access has been extended to litigants in person in some case types — check the current gov.uk MyHMCTS page; if it isn't open to your case type, email/paper filing is your route
Financial remedy: the FR "Hub" processing (via the regional FRCs and the Harlow PO Box) is largely paper/email-based for LiPs; professionals file digitally

Email filing — the LiP workhorse

For most self-representing parties, email to the court office is the standard digital route:

Every family court has a filing email address (on its find-court-tribunal page)
Send PDFs, clearly named, with the case number in the subject line
Ask for acknowledgement of receipt; keep the sent email as proof of filing
Copy the other party as required by your directions order (service and filing are separate acts)

Paper filing still works everywhere

Forms can be posted or handed in at the court counter (many counters now operate by appointment — ring first)
Always keep copies of everything you file; date-stamp originals at the counter where possible

Practical tips for digital filing

1. PDF everything — courts expect PDFs; name files clearly ("C100_JSmith_14Sep2026.pdf") 2. One document per file — don't bundle your C100 and exhibits into one PDF 3. Case number in every subject line — it's how your documents get matched to your case 4. Keep a filing log — what you sent, to which address, when; this log wins arguments about what was filed when 5. Watch the deadlines — digital convenience doesn't extend them; filing deadlines are as set in your directions order 6. Confirm receipt if you hear nothing — courts are busy; a polite chase with your sent email attached resolves most losses

Bundles and hearings

The PD27A 2026 rules make e-bundles the norm (see our bundles guide) — as a LiP you may need help building a paginated, bookmarked PDF; the court can direct who compiles it
Video hearings (Cloud Video Platform, CVP) and remote attendance are standard options; the court sends joining links by email
Track your case: divorce cases have an online tracker for applicants; other family case types are tracked by contacting the court office

If the digital route fails you

Paper is always available — no rule forces a LiP to file digitally
Support Through Court volunteers can help with practical filing questions
If an online system loses your filing, your filing log and sent emails are your evidence; escalate politely to the court manager if documents go missing

Official links

YourFamilyCase.co.uk is an independent information directory — we are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to HMCTS or gov.uk. This page is general information and is not legal advice. Digital services change frequently — check gov.uk for the current position before relying on any online route.

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.