Family court & support in Hove
REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-29
Which court serves you
Hove has no family court of its own. Family cases involving Hove families are heard at Brighton County Court and Family Court, William Street, Brighton BN2 0RF — which handles adoption, childcare arrangements (C100), divorce and domestic-abuse (FL401) matters — see our Brighton County Court guide. Enquiries: 0300 123 5577 (HMCTS National Contact Centre for Civil & Family, Mon–Fri 8:30am–5pm); divorce: 0300 303 0642; family public law (children in care): 0330 808 4424. Family enquiries: sussexfamily@justice.gov.uk. Always check your hearing notice — some cases are listed elsewhere; confirm the venue at https://www.find-court-tribunal.service.gov.uk.
Citizens Advice
- Citizens Advice Brighton & Hove — Tisbury Road Offices, Hove Town Hall, Tisbury Road, Hove BN3 3BQ; phone 0808 278 7815 (freephone); online enquiry at https://www.cabrightonhove.org. Drop-in sessions are first-come, first-served (Monday afternoons, Thursday and Friday mornings); it serves BN1, BN2, BN3 and BN41 postcodes.
- Details also at the national finder: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/local-citizens-advice/0014K000009EMLBQA4
- National Adviceline: 0808 144 8848 (free); webchat at citizensadvice.org.uk
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 Hove, Brighton and East Sussex: 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 South Coast mediation page.
Domestic abuse support
- Refuge National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (24/7, free) · emergency 999 · non-urgent police 101
- 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
- See our domestic abuse support in the south coast region for refuges and specialist Brighton & Sussex services, and our FL401 injunctions guide
Children's services
Brighton & Hove City Council is the children's services authority for Hove (including referrals about a child's safety) — routes to your local authority via https://www.gov.uk/report-child-abuse (postcode lookup), or contact Brighton & Hove City Council at https://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk. See our children's services South page.
Getting there
Brighton County Court and Family Court is on William Street (BN2 0RF), east of Brighton city centre near the seafront — a walk or short bus ride from Brighton station (direct Southern, Thameslink and Govia services from Hove station, roughly 10 minutes). Hove Town Hall on Tisbury Road (BN3 3BQ) is a short walk from Hove station if you are visiting Citizens Advice. Allow extra time for security screening on arrival at the court.
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.