# Family court & support in Westminster

REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-28

## Which court serves you

Family cases for Westminster are heard at the **Central Family Court** (which also houses the
Court of Protection), 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).
Court enquiries: 020 7421 8594; HMCTS National Contact Centre 0300 123 5577 (Mon–Fri 8:30am–5pm);
Divorce Contact Centre 0300 303 0642 (Mon–Fri 10am–6pm). It handles adoption, childcare
arrangements, divorce, domestic abuse, financial remedy, forced marriage and FGM cases.
See the full [Central Family Court guide](../courts/central-family-court.html).

## Citizens Advice

- **Citizens Advice Westminster**, The Stowe Centre, 258 Harrow Road, London W2 5ES
  (charity registration 1059419) — see westminstercab.org.uk
- **Freephone Adviceline: 0808 278 7834** (Mon–Thu 9:15am–4pm, Fri 9:15am–12:30pm)
- National Adviceline: 0808 223 1133 — see our
  [Citizens Advice Central London page](../institutions/citizens-advice-central-london.html)

## Mediation & your MIAM

Before most applications you must consider a **MIAM**. Search the FMC register for mediators
covering Westminster and central London:
https://www.familymediationcouncil.org.uk/find-local-mediator/
See our [London mediation page](../institutions/family-mediation-london.html) and our
[mediation guide](../guides/mediation-guide.html) for costs (£500 voucher, ~£120 MIAM, legal aid).

## Domestic abuse support

- **Refuge National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247** (24/7) · emergency **999**
- Westminster and London-wide services — see our
  [London DA support page](../institutions/domestic-abuse-support-london.html)
- On a shared phone? Use safe devices (library, Citizens Advice office, friend's phone).

## Children's services

Westminster City Council children's services — find contact routes via
https://www.gov.uk/report-child-abuse (postcode lookup). See our
[children's services London page](../institutions/childrens-services-london.html).
Cafcass covers Westminster in its **London** region — see our
[Cafcass London page](../institutions/cafcass-london.html).

## Getting there

First Avenue House is on High Holborn (WC1V 6NP), a short walk from **Chancery Lane**
(Central line) and **Holborn** (Central/Piccadilly) stations; buses run along High Holborn
and Kingsway. There is no public parking at the court — use nearby NCP car parks. Plan to
arrive well before your listed time — security takes longer than most people expect on a
first visit.

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*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.*