Family court & support in Gravesend
REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-29
Which court serves you
Gravesham has no family court of its own. Gravesend Magistrates' Court closed years ago and Gravesend County Court has also closed — the former Gravesend County Court page on gov.uk confirms it is no longer in service (https://www.find-court-tribunal.service.gov.uk/courts/gravesend-county-court). Family cases for Gravesend families are now dealt with at Medway County Court and Family Court, HMCTS main entrance, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham ME4 4AR — the combined county and family venue for north Kent, confirmed on gov.uk's Find a Court or Tribunal (https://www.find-court-tribunal.service.gov.uk/courts/medway-county-court-and-family-court). It handles child arrangements (C100), divorce hearings, domestic abuse cases, adoption and financial remedy. Enquiries: 0300 123 5577 (Mon–Fri 8:30am–5pm); divorce: 0300 303 0642 (Mon–Fri 10am–6pm); counter for urgent matters only, by prior appointment. Note the building works notice on the register page: there is currently no step-free disabled access — call the appointment line to arrange alternative access. Some Kent matters (including financial remedy) are also listed at Canterbury — always check your hearing notice and confirm the venue at https://www.find-court-tribunal.service.gov.uk, and see our Canterbury family court guide.
Citizens Advice
- Citizens Advice in North & West Kent (CANWK) serves Gravesham from the Gravesham Gateway, Civic Centre, Windmill Street, Gravesend DA12 1AU — see https://citizensadvicenwk.org.uk and Gravesham Borough Council's advice page at https://www.gravesham.gov.uk
- National Adviceline: 0800 144 8848 (free); webchat at citizensadvice.org.uk
- CANWK can help with benefits, debt and housing problems that often sit alongside a family case, and can refer you to specialist services
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 Gravesham and north Kent: https://www.familymediationcouncil.org.uk/find-local-mediator/ — see our mediation guide for costs (the £500 voucher scheme, ~£120 MIAM, and legal aid eligibility) and our C100 child arrangements guide.
Domestic abuse support
- Refuge National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (24/7, free) · emergency 999
- On a shared phone or tablet? Use a safe device — public library, Citizens Advice office, or a trusted friend's phone — to look up local services
- Applying for an injunction? See our FL401 domestic abuse guide
- Kentwide services are listed in our domestic abuse support — home counties guide
Children's services
Gravesham Borough Council children's services (including referrals about a child's safety) — routes to your local authority via https://www.gov.uk/report-child-abuse (postcode lookup), or contact Gravesham Borough Council directly at https://www.gravesham.gov.uk. See our children's services contact guide.
Getting there
Medway County Court and Family Court is on Dock Road, Chatham (ME4 4AR), about 15 minutes by train from Gravesend (frequent Southeastern services via Rochester/Strood) and a short taxi or bus ride from Chatham station. Parking is limited nearby; allow extra time for security screening on arrival. For hearings listed at Canterbury, use the directions in our Canterbury family court guide (Chaucer Road, CT1 1ZA).
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 Citizens Advice.
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.