Family court & support in Durham

REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-29

Which court serves you

Family cases for Durham are heard at Durham County Court and Family Court, Durham Justice Centre, Green Lane, Old Elvet, Durham DH1 3RG (county court location code 190; family court email familydurhamcty@justice.gov.uk, including C100 applications). HMCTS National Contact Centre: 0300 123 5577 (Mon–Fri 8:30am–5pm); Divorce Contact Centre 0300 303 0642. The counter is open 10am–2pm Mon–Fri, by appointment only. See the full Durham County Court and Family Court guide.

Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice County Durham (Durham City office) — Durham City Methodist Church, North Road, Durham DH1 4SF. Adviceline: 0808 278 7821 (Mon–Fri 10am–4pm); drop-in Thursday mornings. Other offices across County Durham (Bishop Auckland, Chester-le-Street, Consett, Spennymoor, Stanley and more): citizensadvicecd.org.uk.
National Adviceline: 0800 144 8848 (free). See our Citizens Advice North East page.

Mediation & your MIAM

Before most applications you must consider a MIAM. Search the FMC register for mediators covering Durham and the North East: https://www.familymediationcouncil.org.uk/find-local-mediator/ — see our North East mediation page and 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
Harbour — specialist DA service for County Durham: 24/7 support line 03000 202 525, info@myharbour.org.uk — see our Yorkshire & North East DA support page.
On a shared phone? Use safe devices (library, CA office, friend's phone).

Children's services

Durham County Council children's services — First Contact: 03000 267 979 if you are worried a child is at risk of significant harm. See our children's services Yorkshire & North East page. Cafcass covers Durham in its North East region (Area A2) — national enquiries 0300 456 4000; see our Cafcass North East page.

Getting there

Durham Justice Centre is on Green Lane, off Old Elvet, on the edge of the city centre — around 15–20 minutes' walk from Durham rail station (LNER/CrossCountry East Coast Main Line), and close to city-centre bus routes. Parking nearby fills early — arrive with time to spare. Disabled access, disabled toilet, hearing enhancement by prior arrangement and assistance dogs welcome.

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.