Family court & support in Hertford

REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-29

Which court serves you

Family cases for Hertford are heard at Hertford County Court and Family Court, Shire Hall, Fore Street, Hertford SG14 1DF — confirmed on gov.uk's Find a Court or Tribunal (https://www.find-court-tribunal.service.gov.uk/courts/hertford-county-court-and-family-court). It handles divorce hearings, domestic abuse (non-molestation/occupation orders), adoption and children matters. Main enquiries (HMCTS National Contact Centre, Mon–Fri 8.30am–5pm): 0300 123 5577. Hertford Magistrates' Court (The Shire Hall also hosts magistrates) is a crime and tribunal venue — it does not take private family cases. Some hearings may be listed at Luton County and Family Court or Stevenage — check your listing notice.

Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice East Herts: registered office The Manor House, 21 High Street, Buntingford SG9 9AB — Message Line 01920 459944 (leave a message Mon–Thu, call-back 10am–4pm, aim to respond within 3 working days); email advice and Facebook Messenger also available (citizensadviceeastherts.org.uk). Check their Contact Us page for drop-in sessions at the Hertford, Ware and Buntingford contact centres before travelling.
National Adviceline: 0800 144 8848 (free)

Mediation & your MIAM

Before most applications you must consider a MIAM. Search the FMC register for mediators covering Hertford (SG13–SG14): https://www.familymediationcouncil.org.uk/find-local-mediator/ — see 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
Hertfordshire services 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

Children's services

Hertfordshire County Council children's services — find contact routes via https://www.gov.uk/report-child-abuse (postcode lookup). CAFCASS involvement is coordinated by CAFCASS East of England.

Getting there

Hertford County Court and Family Court sits in the centre of Hertford, in Shire Hall on Fore Street (SG14 1DF). Hertford East station is a few minutes' walk and Hertford North is about 15 minutes on foot; both have direct trains from London and Broxbourne. Town-centre car parks (e.g. The Wash, Hartham) are close by but fill early — allow extra time at rush hour on the A414.

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.