Family court & support in Bishop's Stortford
REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-29
Which court serves you
There is no family court building in Bishop's Stortford. Family cases for the town and East Hertfordshire are heard at the Hertford County Court and Family Court, Shire Hall, Fore Street, Hertford SG14 1DF — confirmed on gov.uk's Find a Court or Tribunal register (https://www.find-court-tribunal.service.gov.uk/courts/hertford-county-court-and-family-court). It handles child arrangements (C100), divorce, domestic abuse protective applications (FL401), adoption, housing and money claims; the County Court location code is 221 and DX is 122740 Watford 5. Post goes to Watford County Court, 10 King Street, WD18 0BW; enquiries 0300 123 5577 (Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm); email enquiries.watford.countycourt@justice.gov.uk; court open Mon–Fri 9am–4pm, counter by appointment only. Depending on case type, some East Herts listings sit at Chelmsford Justice Centre (Essex) or Cambridge — see our Watford County Court and Family Court guide, Chelmsford court guide and Cambridge court guide. Always attend the court named on your notice of hearing.
Citizens Advice
- National Adviceline: 0800 144 8848 (free)
- Citizens Advice East Herts (Bishop's Stortford) — Methodist Church, 34B South Street, CM23 3AZ; Tuesday drop-in 10am–2pm; MessageLine 01920 459944 (leave a message, callback usually within 24h); citizensadviceeastherts.org.uk
Mediation & your MIAM
Before most applications you must consider a MIAM. Search the FMC register for mediators covering Bishop's Stortford and East Herts: https://www.familymediationcouncil.org.uk/find-local-mediator/ — see our mediation guide for costs (£500 voucher, ~£120 MIAM, legal aid) and our East of England mediation page.
Domestic abuse support
- Refuge National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (24/7) · emergency 999 · non-emergency police 101
- Hertfordshire-area services via our Home Counties domestic abuse support page and our FL401 domestic abuse guide
- On a shared phone? Use safe devices (library, Citizens Advice office, friend's phone).
Children's services
Hertfordshire County Council children's services handle safeguarding and care proceedings for Bishop's Stortford — contact routes via https://www.gov.uk/report-child-abuse and our children's services contact guide. Cafcass involvement sits with Cafcass East of England.
Getting there
Shire Hall is on Fore Street in the middle of Hertford, about 15 miles (30–40 min) from Bishop's Stortford by car via the A414/A1184. Hertford East and Hertford North stations are both a short walk away (Bishop's Stortford → Hertford East is a direct ~20-minute Greater Anglia train). Parking is in local car parks and surrounding streets, including disabled bays — none on site. Note the building has no wheelchair access to some rooms (stairs-only to interview rooms), a lift serves the main floors, and hearing loops are available by prior arrangement — call 0300 123 5577 ahead if you need adjustments. Arrive well before your listed time; security takes longer than most people expect on a first visit.
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.