Family court & support in Leighton Buzzard / Dunstable
REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-29
Which court serves you
Family cases for Leighton Buzzard and Dunstable are generally heard at Luton Justice Centre (Luton County Court and Family Court), Floors 4 & 5, Arndale House, Luton Point, Luton LU1 2EN (Family Court location code 258) — see our full Luton court guide for contacts, hours and access. Some listings sit at Bedford County Court and Family Court, Shire Hall, 3 St Paul's Square, Bedford MK40 1SQ (location code 124) — see our Bedford court guide. Always check the venue on your notice of hearing. National enquiry line for family work: 0300 123 5577. Family court email: lutoncountyfamily@justice.gov.uk.
Citizens Advice
- National Adviceline: 0800 144 8848 (free)
- Citizens Advice Leighton Linslade (Leighton Buzzard area) — check citizensadviceleightonlinslade.org.uk for current drop-in and appointment hours.
- Citizens Advice Central Bedfordshire (covering Dunstable and Houghton Regis) — check ca-centralbedfordshire.org.uk for opening times and advice session locations.
Mediation & your MIAM
Before most applications you must consider a MIAM. Search the FMC register for mediators covering Leighton Buzzard, Dunstable and Bedfordshire: https://www.familymediationcouncil.org.uk/find-local-mediator/ — see our mediation guide for costs (£500 voucher, ~£120 MIAM, legal aid) and our East of England mediation page.
Domestic abuse support
- Refuge National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (24/7) · emergency 999
- Bedfordshire-area services via the Women's Aid directory: womensaid.org.uk
- See our East of England DA support page
Children's services
Children's services for Leighton Buzzard and Dunstable are run by Central Bedfordshire Council (Luton has its own unitary authority) — find contact routes via https://www.gov.uk/report-child-abuse (postcode lookup). Family Court work in the area is supported by CAFCASS East of England — see our CAFCASS East of England guide.
Getting there
From Leighton Buzzard, direct trains run to Luton (or via Leagrave) and to Bedford; Luton Justice Centre is a short walk/ride from Luton station via Luton Point. Bus services (e.g. F70/Z, Arriva routes) link Leighton Buzzard and Dunstable to Luton town centre. If your hearing is at Bedford Shire Hall, direct rail services run from Leighton Buzzard to Bedford. Parking near Luton Justice Centre: The Mall / Luton Point car parks; near Shire Hall: central Bedford car parks. Always confirm the venue on your notice before travelling.
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.