Support Through Court — Royal Courts of Justice London: what they do for self-representing families

REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-27

Facing court alone is one of the hardest things anyone is asked to do. Support Through Court is an independent charity (formerly known as the Personal Support Unit) that provides free, practical and emotional support to people who have to face the civil and family courts without a lawyer. This page is about its office inside the Royal Courts of Justice on the Strand, London, verified against the charity's official 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

Support Through Court is a registered charity that has been supporting people facing court alone for 25 years. Its trained volunteers provide support before, during and after court. In a safe, private space at the Royal Courts of Justice, volunteers will:

Listen to your story without judgement.
Help you problem-solve and decide your next steps.
Help you source reliable legal information (they do not give legal advice themselves).
Explain complex court procedures in plain language.
Help you complete court forms.
Talk you through how to speak in court and what to expect on the day.

Important: the Royal Courts of Justice office helps with civil cases, including cases related to the Central London County Court. If you need support for a family case in London, the charity's family-service office is at the Central Family Court, First Avenue House, 42–49 High Holborn, London WC1V 6NP (email londonfamily@supportthroughcourt.org, phone 0204 520 4063) — see the official links below.

Who it helps

Litigants in person — anyone going through the civil courts in London without a lawyer.
People facing life-changing outcomes — the charity exists because cuts in legal aid mean more people than ever face court alone, on matters that can involve loss of access to children or homelessness.
You do not need to be an existing user or have an appointment to ask for help — walk-ins are accepted according to capacity.
If you are anywhere in England or Wales, the charity also runs a national remote/helpline service, so you can get support even if you cannot travel to the RCJ.

How to use it (steps)

1. Check it's the right office. The RCJ office covers civil cases (including Central London County Court cases). Family cases in London go to the Central Family Court office. 2. Book an appointment or walk in. You can book by email (londoncivil@supportthroughcourt.org) or phone (0204 520 5959), or simply come as a walk-in. 3. Know the operating hours: Monday to Wednesday, 10.00am – 4.00pm, closed for lunch 12.30pm – 1.30pm. (Always check the charity's website for temporary closures before travelling.) 4. Note the walk-in rules. Walk-ins are accepted throughout the day according to capacity, and appointments take priority. The charity cannot guarantee support to everyone who arrives and reserves the right to turn people away if capacity is reached, even before closing time — so booking ahead is the safer route. 5. When you call: the phone line does not accept calls from withheld numbers, so call with your caller ID switched on. 6. Bring your court papers. Having your notices, forms and case details to hand makes the first conversation much more productive.

Contact & location (verified)

These details are published by the charity on its official Royal Courts of Justice location page (verified 2026-08-27):

Office address: Support Through Court, Room M21 (main building), Royal Courts of Justice, Strand, London, WC2A 2LL
Finding the office: in the main building, just down from the RCJ café.
Email: londoncivil@supportthroughcourt.org
Phone: 0204 520 5959 — available Monday to Wednesday, 10.00am – 4.00pm (closed for lunch 12.30pm – 1.30pm); no withheld numbers.
Operating hours: Monday to Wednesday, 10.00am – 4.00pm (lunch closure 12.30pm – 1.30pm).

Costs (honest)

The service is free. Support Through Court is a charity, funded by donations and funders — the charity states it costs its funders around £32 to support one person, but there is no charge to you for using the service.
Volunteers do not charge fees, and there is no means test to qualify.
Watch out for anyone charging for "support services" at court — this charity's help is free. If in doubt, verify through the official website linked below.
The charity cannot give legal advice, so if your case needs a solicitor, that cost sits outside this service. See our legal aid guide for help with funding representation.

How it fits your court case

Before a hearing: use the service to understand what your hearing is for, what forms you still need, and how to present yourself. A single session can turn a confusing bundle of papers into a clear plan.
On the day: the RCJ office is inside the building, so if you are attending a civil hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice or have a Central London County Court matter listed nearby, you can drop in for calm, practical help while you wait.
After a hearing: volunteers can help you work out what the outcome means and what your next step is — an order to comply with, an appeal deadline, or further forms to complete.
It complements, not replaces, legal help: the charity explains procedures and helps with forms, but cannot represent you or tell you what to argue. Pair it with our preparing for a hearing guide and, if appropriate, a McKenzie friend.
Emotional support counts: people consistently report that simply having someone listen and sit with them before going into court makes the day more manageable. That is a core part of what this service is for.

Official links

YourFamilyCase.co.uk is an independent information directory — we are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Support Through Court, HMCTS, or gov.uk. Service details above are sourced from the charity's official website (supportthroughcourt.org) and verified on 2026-08-27; opening hours and capacity 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 Support Through Court 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.