Family court & support in Penrith
REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-29
Which court serves you
There is no family court in Penrith — Penrith Magistrates' Court closed in 2011 and its work transferred to Carlisle. Family cases for Penrith and the former Eden district are now heard at Carlisle Combined Court, Courts of Justice, Earl Street, Carlisle CA1 1DJ (family location code 165; family court email cm-carlislefam@justice.gov.uk, including C100 applications). National enquiry line for family work: 0300 123 5577. Details: https://www.find-court-tribunal.service.gov.uk/courts/carlisle-combined-court — see our Carlisle hub page for the full local picture. Note: new adoption cases for this area are heard at West Cumbria Courthouse, not Carlisle.
Citizens Advice
- Citizens Advice Carlisle & Eden (Penrith office) — 2 Sandgate, Penrith CA11 7TP. Advice line: 0808 278 7844 (Mon–Fri, 10am–3.30pm); office open for appointments Tuesdays and Thursdays; reception/Money Advice: 03300 563 037. Email: advicehub@ca-ce.org.uk.
- National Adviceline: 0800 144 8848 (free).
Mediation & your MIAM
Before most applications you must consider a MIAM. Few mediators hold an appointment location in Cumbria, but FMC-accredited services cover Penrith and the Eden valley (including outreach/online). Search the FMC register for mediators covering Penrith: 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 · non-emergency police 101
- Westmorland and Furness Council (which covers Penrith since the 2023 reorganisation) has community-safety and DA support information via 0300 373 3300: https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/
- Check the Women's Aid directory for local services and safe-device options: womensaid.org.uk
- See our domestic abuse support page for regional services
Children's services
Westmorland and Furness Council children's services (Penrith locality office at Voreda House, Portland Place, Penrith CA11 7BF). Multi Agency Children's Hub (MACH) to report a concern about a child: 0300 373 2734 (out of hours, Emergency Duty Team, same number). General council line: 0300 373 3300. Find routes via https://www.gov.uk/report-child-abuse (postcode lookup).
Getting there
Carlisle Combined Court is on Earl Street in the Carlisle city centre, roughly 20 miles from Penrith — a direct train from Penrith railway station takes about 20–25 minutes, and the court is a short walk from Carlisle rail station. No on-site parking except blue badge holders by prior arrangement — use Carlisle city-centre car parks.
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.