Family court & support in Harlow

REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-29

Which court serves you

There is no family court in Harlow itself. Harlow County Court has closed — gov.uk's Find a Court or Tribunal lists it as "no longer in service", with business transferred to neighbouring courts (https://www.find-court-tribunal.service.gov.uk/courts/harlow-county-court). Harlow Magistrates' Court remains open, but only for criminal (magistrates') business — it does not take family cases. Family work for Harlow (divorce, child arrangements, domestic abuse applications, financial remedies) is heard at Chelmsford Justice Centre (Chelmsford County and Family Court), Priory Place, New London Road, Chelmsford CM2 0PP — see our full Chelmsford court guide.

Main enquiries (HMCTS National Contact Centre, Mon–Fri 8.30am–5pm): 0300 123 5577; divorce enquiries: 0300 303 0642 (Mon–Fri 10am–6pm). Family Court location code: 167 (use this on C100 and other family forms). Urgent civil and family applications are by prior appointment only — contact the court before travelling.

Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice Harlow: Floor 2, Westgate House, West Square, Harlow CM20 1YS — Adviceline 0808 278 7856; harlowcitizensadvice.org.uk. Essex-wide routes on our Citizens Advice Essex page
National Adviceline: 0800 144 8848 (free)

Mediation & your MIAM

Before most applications you must consider a MIAM. Search the FMC register for mediators covering Harlow and west Essex: https://www.familymediationcouncil.org.uk/find-local-mediator/ — see our mediation guide and East of England mediation page for costs (£500 voucher, ~£120 MIAM, legal aid).

Domestic abuse support

Refuge National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (24/7) · emergency 999
Essex services (including Compass domestic abuse helpline 0330 333 7 444, Mon–Fri 8am–8pm, Sat 8am–12pm) via the Women's Aid directory: womensaid.org.uk
On a shared phone? Use safe devices (library, CA office, friend's phone) — see our East of England DA support page and the FL401 guide for protective orders.

Children's services

Essex County Council children's services cover Harlow — find contact routes via https://www.gov.uk/report-child-abuse (postcode lookup). CAFCASS in this region is Cafcass East of England.

Getting there

Chelmsford Justice Centre is a short walk from Chelmsford rail station (direct Greater Anglia trains from Harlow Town / Harlow Mill via London Liverpool Street, or from Bishop's Stortford); allow time for airport-style security on arrival. Parking near the centre is limited town-centre pay-and-display.

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.