The Family Court

The Family Court is convened to decide matters and make orders in relation to family law, such as custody of children. When disputes come to the courts, the cases are dealt with by magistrates and judges specially trained to deal with issues affecting families. These disputes often involve very difficult circumstances, for example relationship breakdown or child contact. Judges and magistrates work to make the circumstances of family disputes less adversarial and hearings are often informal, for example, with all parties sitting around a table.

The various types of disputes handled by a Family Court are:

• Parental disputes over the upbringing of children
• Local authority intervention to protect children
• Decrees relating to divorce
• Financial support for children after divorce or relationship breakdown
• Some aspects of domestic violence
• Adoption

For further information about the Family Court in England and Wales click here to access the Courts and Tribunals Judiciary website.

To find out which court to issue family proceedings at for your post code area, click here to access the GOV.UK website.