Family court & support in Bedford

REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-29

Which court serves you

Family cases for Bedford are heard at Bedford County Court and Family Court, Shire Hall, 3 St Paul's Square, Bedford MK40 1SQ — confirmed on gov.uk's Find a Court or Tribunal (https://www.find-court-tribunal.service.gov.uk/courts/bedford-county-court-and-family-court). Main enquiries (HMCTS National Contact Centre, Mon–Fri 8.30am–5pm): 0300 123 5577; divorce enquiries: 0300 303 0642 (Mon–Fri 10am–6pm). Court open Mon–Fri 9am–4pm (counter 10am–2pm, by prior appointment only — book via 01582 506722). Postal correspondence goes to the Luton Justice Centre, but the visiting court for Bedford is Shire Hall — see our full Bedford court guide.

Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice Bedford: 8 The Harpur Centre, Bedford MK40 1TP — 01234 867944 (phone Mon–Thu 9.45am–1pm; office Mon–Thu 9.30am–4pm)
National Adviceline: 0800 144 8848 (free)

Mediation & your MIAM

Before most applications you must consider a MIAM. Search the FMC register for mediators covering Bedford: https://www.familymediationcouncil.org.uk/find-local-mediator/ — see our mediation guide for costs (£500 voucher, ~£120 MIAM, legal aid).

Domestic abuse support

Refuge National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (24/7) · emergency 999
Bedfordshire services via the Women's Aid directory: womensaid.org.uk
On a shared phone? Use safe devices (library, CA office, friend's phone) — see our East of England DA support page

Children's services

Bedford Borough Council children's services — find contact routes via https://www.gov.uk/report-child-abuse (postcode lookup). See our children's services guide.

Getting there

Shire Hall sits on St Paul's Square in the town centre (MK40 1SQ), about 20 minutes' walk from Bedford railway station (Thameslink / East Midlands Railway); Stagecoach and Grant Palmer bus routes run through the town centre nearby. Town-centre parking is limited and paid — plan and book ahead, and allow extra time for congestion.

This page is general information, not legal advice. YourFamilyCase.co.uk is an independent information directory and is not affiliated with HMCTS or gov.uk.

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.