Family court & support in Chelmsford

REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-31

Which court serves you

Family cases for Chelmsford are heard at Chelmsford Justice Centre — Priory Place, New London Road, Chelmsford CM2 0PP, confirmed on gov.uk's Find a Court or Tribunal service (https://www.find-court-tribunal.service.gov.uk/courts/chelmsford-county-and-family-court). Court enquiries are via the national lines below; HMCTS National Contact Centre 0300 123 5577 (Mon–Fri 8:30am–5pm) for paper-based civil and family applications; Divorce Contact Centre 0300 303 0642 (Mon–Fri 10am–6pm). See Chelmsford Justice Centre court guide.

Citizens Advice

National Adviceline: 0808 278 7995 (free) — generalist advice, including family law
Find your nearest office via the national finder at citizensadvice.org.uk; many offices run free 30-minute family appointments — check locally for availability in Chelmsford.

Mediation & your MIAM

Before most family applications you must consider a MIAM (mediation information and assessment meeting). Search the FMC register for accredited mediators covering Chelmsford and the surrounding area: https://www.familymediationcouncil.org.uk/find-local-mediator/ See our mediation guide for costs (the £500 voucher, typical MIAM fees and legal aid).

Domestic abuse support

Refuge National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (24/7) · emergency 999
On a shared phone? Use a safe device (library, Citizens Advice office, a friend's phone).
For protective orders see our non-molestation order guide and FL401 guide.

Children's services

Find your local council's children's services contact via the gov.uk postcode lookup at https://www.gov.uk/report-child-abuse. Cafcass national enquiries: 0300 456 4000 — see our Cafcass guide.

Before you go to court

Check the hearing notice for the exact venue — combined venues may list a different building for family work than for civil work.
Arrive early; security checks take longer than most people expect on a first visit.
Bring your bundle, ID and any directions order — see our bundle guide and position statement guide.

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.