Citizens Advice — Central London (Westminster): free advice for families going through separation and court

REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-27

When a relationship breaks down, the problems rarely arrive one at a time — money, housing, benefits and children all come at once. Citizens Advice Westminster (whose formal operating name is Westminster Citizens Advice Bureau Service) is an independent local charity that gives free, confidential and impartial advice to people living in, working in or visiting the City of Westminster. It is a member of the national Citizens Advice network and works with other local organisations through the Westminster Advice Services Partnership (WASP). This page is about the Westminster service, verified against the national Citizens Advice local-office page and the charity's own website on 2026-08-27. It is general information, not legal advice — always confirm current opening times directly with the charity before travelling.

What this service is

Citizens Advice Westminster is an independent registered charity (founded in 1939) and part of the national Citizens Advice service. Its trained advisers can:

Give advice and information on benefits, debt, consumer, housing, employment, tax, immigration and family matters.
Help you understand your options in a family breakdown — using the national Citizens Advice family guidance on separating, divorce and dissolution, sorting out money and property, making arrangements for children, and dealing with domestic abuse.
Help with form filling — benefits applications, court forms such as a C100 (child arrangements), fee-exemption (Help with Fees) forms and letters — and explain documents you have received.
Run a short assessment/triage interview (by phone, online enquiry or drop-in) and route you to the most appropriate help, including specialist projects and partner services in the WASP consortium.
Campaign locally and nationally, using evidence from client problems, to improve policies and practices.

Important: Citizens Advice gives advice and information — it does not act as your solicitor or represent you in court hearings. For free practical support at the courthouse itself, see our page on Support Through Court — Royal Courts of Justice.

Who it helps

Anyone who lives in Westminster — the freephone line, drop-in and online enquiry form are for Westminster residents (the charity asks you to find your own local Citizens Advice if you live elsewhere).
People facing separation or divorce who need to understand the benefits, debt, housing and money consequences — often the practical issues a family court expects you to have a plan for.
People who cannot afford a lawyer — there is no means test for first-stage advice, and the service is free.
Family court users in central London who need generalist advice before or alongside their case; the national Citizens Advice website also lists this office as the local service for Westminster.

How to use it (steps)

1. Call the freephone Adviceline on 0808 278 7834 (option 4) — free from mobiles and landlines, Monday–Thursday 9:15am–4pm, Friday 9:15am–12:30pm. You will get a short assessment interview and be routed to the right help; appointments are booked via the Adviceline. 2. Or use the online routes — submit the online enquiry form (Westminster residents only) or try the webchat service on the charity's website; the national citizensadvice.org.uk site also offers online chat and web guidance on family matters. 3. Drop in / visit — the office at The Stowe Centre runs a reception desk Monday–Thursday 9:30am–12:30pm. It operates a triage system: reception cannot book appointments, so use the Adviceline or a drop-in session. Check before travelling. 4. Book an appointment — face-to-face appointments are arranged through the Adviceline or drop-in triage, not at the desk. 5. Bring your paperwork — benefit letters, court orders, bank statements, any correspondence (see the charity's "what to bring to your appointment" page) — so the adviser can give concrete advice rather than generalities. 6. If you are outside Westminster, use the national Citizens Advice contact page to find your local office, chat online, or call the national helplines (generalist England: 0800 144 8848).

Contact & location (verified)

These details are published on the national Citizens Advice local-office page and the charity's own Contact Us page (verified 2026-08-27):

Address: The Stowe Centre, 258 Harrow Road, London, W2 5ES.
Freephone Adviceline: 0808 278 7834 (option 4) — Mon–Thu 9:15am–4pm, Fri 9:15am–12:30pm.
In person: reception Mon–Thu 9:30am–12:30pm; triage system, appointments only via Adviceline or drop-in.
Online enquiry: via westminstercab.org.uk (Westminster residents only); webchat available.
Admin only (not for advice): adminoffice@westminstercab.org.uk / 020 7706 6010 voicemail.
Status: operating name of Westminster Citizens Advice Bureau Service — registered charity 1059419, FCA-regulated (FRN 617795); part of the Westminster Advice Services Partnership.

Costs (honest)

The service is free. WASP and the charity confirm advice is free, independent, confidential and impartial, available to local residents regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, age or religion.
There is no means test for first-stage advice; calls to the 0808 number are free from mobiles and landlines.
The charity is donor- and funder-funded — it does not charge clients.
Watch out for anyone charging for "advice" about your case — genuine Citizens Advice help is free. Verify through the official sites linked below.
If your case needs a solicitor, that cost sits outside this service. See our legal aid guide for help funding representation.

How it fits your court case

Before applying to court: advisers can help you sort the practical side — benefits after separation, rent arrears, debt — which strengthens your position and your paperwork. Use the national family guidance on making arrangements for children and our own preparing for a hearing guide.
During the case: pair free advice from Citizens Advice Westminster with court-day support from Support Through Court — the two charities do different jobs, and neither replaces a lawyer.
After a hearing: if an order affects your money, benefits or housing, advisers can help you work out the next step, challenge wrong decisions, or appeal benefits decisions.
It complements, not replaces, legal help: Citizens Advice explains rights and options; it cannot represent you or tell you what to argue in a family case. A McKenzie friend may fill that gap.
Domestic abuse: the national family guidance includes routes on gender violence (safety planning and legal options) — raise it in your assessment interview and they will route you to specialist help.

Official links

YourFamilyCase.co.uk is an independent information directory — we are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Citizens Advice, Citizens Advice Westminster, HMCTS, or gov.uk. Service details above are sourced from the charity's official website (westminstercab.org.uk), the national Citizens Advice website, and its Westminster CAB local-office page, verified on 2026-08-27; opening times and service arrangements can change, so always confirm directly with the charity before travelling. This page is general information and is not legal advice. Nothing on this page is an endorsement of any legal service, and Citizens Advice does not endorse this site.

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.