Family court & support in Chester

REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-29

Which court serves you

Family cases for Chester and Cheshire West and Chester are heard at the Chester Civil and Family Justice Centre, Trident House, Little St John Street, Chester CH1 1SN (County Court location code 170). Counter opening: by prior appointment; telephone enquiries Monday to Friday. National enquiry line for civil and family work: 0300 123 5577; Divorce Contact Centre: 0300 303 0642; family public law (children in care, C5 case numbers): 0330 808 4424. Note: the former Chester Combined Court Centre page on GOV.UK is listed as no longer in service — family business in Chester is dealt with at the Civil and Family Justice Centre. Details: https://www.find-court-tribunal.service.gov.uk/courts/chester-civil-and-family-justice-centre

Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice Cheshire West — Chester (The Bluecoat) — Upper Northgate Street, Chester CH1 4EE. In-person support Mon/Tue/Thu 10:00–14:00; also DIAL House (Fri 10:00–14:00).
Local Adviceline: 0808 2787 806; National Adviceline: 0800 144 8848 (free).
https://www.citizensadvicecw.org.uk/chester/

Mediation & your MIAM

Before most family applications you must consider a MIAM (mediation information and assessment meeting). Search the FMC register for FMC-accredited mediators covering Chester and Cheshire West — several services offer outreach and online appointments: https://www.familymediationcouncil.org.uk/find-local-mediator/ — see our mediation guide for costs (the £500 voucher scheme, typical MIAM fees and legal aid) and our C100 guide for child arrangements applications.

Domestic abuse support

Refuge National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (24/7, free) · emergency 999 (if it is not safe to speak, dial 55).
Cheshire West and Chester DAIPS (Domestic Abuse Intervention and Prevention Service): 0300 123 7047, option 2 (office hours) — https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/crime-prevention/domestic-abuse
Local: Chester Sexual Abuse Support Service 01244 307499 / 0808 2840 484; Cheshire Without Abuse (Cheshire East-based refuge & support) 01270 250390.
Check the Women's Aid directory for local services and safe-device advice (erase your browsing history, use incognito windows and a device your abuser cannot access): womensaid.org.uk. Our FL401 guide covers protective injunctions.

Children's services

Cheshire West and Chester Council — children's social care runs through the i-ART front door: 0300 123 7047 (out of hours 01244 977277). If a child is at risk of significant harm, call i-ART, or 999 in an emergency. General route: https://www.gov.uk/report-child-abuse (postcode lookup).

Getting there

Chester Civil and Family Justice Centre is on Little St John Street in the city centre, near the Grosvenor Shopping Centre and about a 15-minute walk from Chester rail station. There is no on-site parking — paid off-site parking is available within 100 m on Pepper Street (CH1 1DF); blue badge holders should contact the court. Level access at entrance and court rooms, lifts to all floors, portable hearing loop by arrangement, assistance dogs welcome and Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyards on request.

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

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.