Family court & support in Welwyn Garden City
REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-29
Which court serves you
Family cases for Welwyn Garden City are heard at Hertford County Court and Family Court, Shire Hall, Fore Street, Hertford SG14 1DF — confirmed on gov.uk's Find a Court or Tribunal (https://www.find-court-tribunal.service.gov.uk/courts/hertford-county-court-and-family-court). It handles divorce hearings, domestic abuse (non-molestation/occupation orders), adoption and children matters. Enquiries (HMCTS National Contact Centre, Mon–Fri 8.30am–5pm): 0300 123 5577; counter is by appointment only. See our Hertford town page for the full court breakdown. Some hearings may instead be listed at Watford County and Family Court or Stevenage — always check your listing notice.
Citizens Advice
- Citizens Advice Welwyn Hatfield: 1st Floor, Queensway House, Queensway, Hatfield AL10 0LW. Phone advice Mon–Fri 10am–4pm on 0800 144 8848; drop-in at the Hatfield office Tuesdays and Thursdays 10:30am–2pm (cawelhat.org.uk). Try phoning first before travelling.
- National Adviceline: 0800 144 8848 (free)
Mediation & your MIAM
Before most applications you must consider a MIAM. Search the FMC register for mediators covering Welwyn Garden City (AL7–AL8): 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
- Hertfordshire services via the Women's Aid directory: womensaid.org.uk
- On a shared phone? Use safe devices (library, CA office, friend's phone) — see our East of England DA support page
Children's services
Hertfordshire County Council children's services — find contact routes via https://www.gov.uk/report-child-abuse (postcode lookup). CAFCASS involvement is coordinated by CAFCASS East of England.
Getting there
Hertford County Court and Family Court sits in Shire Hall on Fore Street (SG14 1DF) in central Hertford — roughly 25–30 minutes from Welwyn Garden City via the A414 or a direct train from Welwyn Garden City station to Hertford North, then about 15 minutes on foot. Town-centre car parks (e.g. The Wash, Hartham) are close by but fill early — allow extra time at rush hour.
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.