Family court & support in Ilford
REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-29
Which court serves you
Family cases for Ilford are generally dealt with at the East London Family Court (see our full East London Family Court guide) — the Designated Family Court for the area, handling divorce, financial remedy and children matters. Some cases (especially High Court family work) are heard at the Central Family Court, First Avenue House, 42–49 High Holborn, London WC1V 6NP (family enquiries 0300 123 5577) — always check your case papers or ask the court which venue applies. Our Redbridge hub covers Ilford too. Support Through Court for litigants in person: 0300 081 0006.
Citizens Advice
- National Adviceline: 0800 144 8848 (free)
- Citizens Advice Redbridge — Redbridge Central Library, Clements Road, Ilford IG1 1EA; drop-in and phone advice sessions run on set days — check redbridgecab.org.uk or call 0808 278 7873 for current times
Mediation & your MIAM
Before most applications you must consider a MIAM. Search the FMC register for mediators covering Ilford: 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
- Keep devices safe: use a computer or phone the abuser cannot monitor — see our guidance on safe device use
- See our domestic abuse support page for London
Children's services
Redbridge Council children's services serve Ilford — contact routes via https://www.gov.uk/report-child-abuse. See our children's services guide.
Getting there
East London Family Court sits on Barking Road near Plaistow — from Ilford take the Elizabeth line or c2c/Overground connections to Stratford or Barking, then the District/Hammersmith & City line to Plaistow, then a short walk. For Central Family Court, First Avenue House is on High Holborn between Chancery Lane and Holborn stations.
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.