Family court & support in Dover
REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-29
Which court serves you
There is no family court in Dover any more. HMCTS lists Dover Magistrates' Court as no longer in service, with business transferred to neighbouring courts (verified on the official "Find a court or tribunal" service, 2026-08-29: https://www.find-court-tribunal.service.gov.uk/courts/dover-magistrates-court). Family cases for Dover and east Kent are now heard at the Canterbury Combined Court and Family Court Hearing Centre, The Law Courts, Chaucer Road, Canterbury CT1 1ZA. See our full Canterbury court guide.
- National enquiry line: 0300 123 5577 (Mon–Fri 8:30am–5pm) · Divorce Centre 0300 303 0642
- Family enquiries: Family.Canterbury.CountyCourt@justice.gov.uk — the family counter is appointment-only, so contact the court before travelling. Always attend the court named on your notice of hearing.
Citizens Advice
- National Adviceline: 0800 144 8848 (free)
- Kent & Sussex Citizens Advice network covers Dover — see our Kent & Sussex Citizens Advice page and the local office search: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/search-for-your-local-citizens-advice/
Mediation & your MIAM
Before most applications you must consider a MIAM. Search the FMC register for mediators covering Dover and east Kent: https://www.familymediationcouncil.org.uk/find-local-mediator/ — see our South Coast mediation page and 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
- Kent-area services via our home counties DA support page and the Women's Aid directory (womensaid.org.uk) — see our FL401 guide for emergency protective orders.
- On a shared phone? Use safe devices (library, Citizens Advice office, friend's phone).
Children's services
Kent County Council children's services — contact routes via https://www.gov.uk/report-child-abuse. Cafcass involvement is coordinated through the Canterbury court — see our Cafcass guide and South East Central Cafcass page.
Getting to your hearing
Direct trains run Dover Priory → Canterbury East (~20 min), with buses from Dover to the city centre; the Law Courts on Chaucer Road are a short walk from both stations. Allow time to clear security (a full arch search applies) before your listed time, and check remote-hearing options if travelling is difficult — see our remote hearings 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.