Family court & support in Merton
REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-28
Which court serves you
Family cases for the London Borough of Merton are principally heard at Central Family Court, First Avenue House, 42–49 High Holborn, London WC1V 6NP — confirmed on gov.uk's Find a Court or Tribunal (https://www.find-court-tribunal.service.gov.uk/courts/central-family-court). Some south-west London listings are instead allocated to South West London Family Court in Kingston upon Thames; check your hearing notice. Central Family Court applications line: 0330 808 4424; adoption enquiries: 020 7421 8611. General HMCTS enquiries (Mon–Fri 8.30am–5pm): 0300 123 5577; divorce enquiries: 0300 303 0642 (Mon–Fri 10am–6pm) — see our full Central Family Court guide.
Citizens Advice
- Citizens Advice Merton serves the borough — find local contact routes and opening hours at https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/local/london/merton
- National Adviceline: 0800 144 8848 (free); webchat at citizensadvice.org.uk
Mediation & your MIAM
Before most applications you must consider a MIAM. Search the FMC register for mediators covering Merton and south-west London: https://www.familymediationcouncil.org.uk/find-local-mediator/ — see our mediation guide for costs (£500 voucher, ~£120 MIAM, legal aid) and our family mediation in London guide.
Domestic abuse support
- Refuge National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (24/7) · emergency 999
- Merton Council publishes local domestic-abuse support services; ask Citizens Advice Merton for a referral to specialist borough services
- On a shared phone? Use safe devices (library, CA office, friend's phone)
Children's services
Merton Council children's services — find contact routes via https://www.gov.uk/report-child-abuse (postcode lookup) or see our children's services London guide. Cafcass cases in the area are handled by Cafcass London.
Getting there
Central Family Court is on High Holborn (WC1V 6NP), between Chancery Lane and Holborn tube stations (Central and Piccadilly lines); from Merton, take the Northern line from South Wimbledon or Colliers Wood to Tottenham Court Road, or the District line from Wimbledon to Earl's Court then Piccadilly. Allow extra time for security screening — the building is busy, especially on listing days.
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.