Family court & support in Lancaster

REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-29

If you are involved in a family matter in or around Lancaster — child arrangements, divorce, domestic abuse, financial remedy, adoption or public-law (children in care) work — this page sets out which court serves you and where to find local support. It is general information, not legal advice.

Which court serves you

Lancaster has its own family court venue: Lancaster Civil & Family Court at Lancaster Courthouse, Lancaster Court House, George Street, Lancaster LA1 1XZ. Family Court cases for the Lancaster area are heard here; the administration (postal/enquiries) address is the Courts and Tribunals Service Centre, Court Lawson Street, Preston PR1 2QT. Always go to the exact venue named on your notice of hearing.

The essentials

Address (visiting court): Lancaster Civil & Family Court, Lancaster Court House, George Street, Lancaster LA1 1XZ
Postal/admin: Courts and Tribunals Service Centre, Court Lawson Street, Preston PR1 2QT
Phone (HMCTS Civil & Family enquiries): 0330 808 4407; National Contact Centre 0300 123 5577
Email (family queries): lancasterfamily@justice.gov.uk
Email (divorce): lancasterdivorce@justice.gov.uk
Email (family listing): lancashirefamilylisting@justice.gov.uk
County Court location code: 242 · DX: 145880 Lancaster 2
verifiedAt: 2026-08-29 (checked against the official HMCTS "Find a court or tribunal" page)
Details: https://www.find-court-tribunal.service.gov.uk/courts/lancaster-courthouse — see also the courts section of this site for the full local picture.

Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice North Lancashire (Lancaster office) — 5 George Street, Lancaster LA1 1XQ (drop-in Tue–Thu 10am–2pm; appointments Mon–Fri 9am–5pm).
Adviceline/Messageline: 01524 481 508; office line for appointments: 01524 400 404. Email: enquiries@northlancashirecab.org.uk — https://www.northlancashirecab.org.uk
National Adviceline (England): 0800 144 8848 (free, Mon–Fri).

Mediation & your MIAM

Before most family applications you must consider a MIAM (Mediation Information & Assessment Meeting). FMC-accredited mediators cover Lancaster and north Lancashire, including outreach and online appointments — search the register: https://www.familymediationcouncil.org.uk/find-local-mediator/ — see our mediation guide for costs (voucher scheme, typical MIAM fee, legal aid).

Domestic abuse support

Refuge National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (24/7) · emergency 999 · non-emergency police 101.
Lancashire Constabulary and local services via the Lancashire VSFE (Victim Support) route; check the Women's Aid directory for local services and safe-device options: womensaid.org.uk
Lancaster City Council community-safety and DA support information: https://www.lancaster.gov.uk

Children's services

Lancashire County Council children's services covers Lancaster. To report a concern about a child call 0300 123 6720 (Mon–Fri; out of hours Emergency Duty Team same number). General council line: 0300 123 6701. Routes via https://www.gov.uk/report-child-abuse (postcode lookup).

Getting there

Lancaster Court House is on George Street in Lancaster city centre, a short walk from Lancaster railway station (West Coast Main Line services from Preston, Oxenholme and beyond). City-centre car parks are nearby; parking is limited around George Street, so allow time. Check live travel before you go and arrive early.

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.