Family court & support in Southwark

REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-28

Which court serves you

Family cases for Southwark are 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). Main enquiries (HMCTS National Contact Centre, Mon–Fri 8.30am–5pm): 0300 123 5577; divorce enquiries: 0300 303 0642 (Mon–Fri 10am–6pm). Court open 8:30am–4:30pm Mon–Fri. Urgent without-notice applications (e.g. non-molestation orders): cfc.urgentapplications@justice.gov.uk. It is the Single Point of Entry for children cases across the area; some hearings may instead be listed at East London Family Court, 11 Littlebourne Close, London E16 2RL — check your listing letter. See our full Central Family Court guide.

Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice Southwark (Walworth): 6–8 Westmoreland Road, Walworth, London SE17 2AY — Adviceline 0808 278 7849 (Mon–Fri 9am–5pm)
Also at 160 Tooley Street, SE1 2QH and Peckham High Street, SE15 — see citizensadvicesouthwark.org.uk
National Adviceline: 0800 144 8848 (free)

Mediation & your MIAM

Before most applications you must consider a MIAM. Search the FMC register for mediators covering Southwark: 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
Solace Women's Aid runs Southwark community-based services: solacewomensaid.org.uk
On a shared phone? Use safe devices (library, CA office, friend's phone) — see our London DA support page

Children's services

Southwark Council children's services — find contact routes via https://www.gov.uk/report-child-abuse (postcode lookup). See our children's services guide.

Getting there

Central Family Court is on High Holborn (WC1V 6NP), a short walk from Holborn or Chancery Lane tube; buses along High Holborn and Southampton Row stop nearby, and Waterloo and London Bridge stations connect easily by tube or bus from Southwark. Allow extra time at peak hours for central London congestion and security screening on arrival.

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.