Family Court

Single national court for most family proceedings in England and Wales, dealing with divorce, children, and domestic abuse.

This page mainly applies to England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland may have different rules — check the jurisdiction before relying on this information.

Overview

The Family Court is a single national court for family proceedings in England and Wales, created by the Crime and Courts Act 2013. It centralises work previously done in three different courts. It handles divorce and dissolution, financial remedy proceedings, child arrangements, care and supervision proceedings, adoption, and applications under the Family Law Act 1996 (domestic abuse). Cases are heard by lay magistrates, District Judges, Circuit Judges, or High Court Judges depending on complexity.

What it handles

Divorce and dissolution of civil partnership
Financial remedy orders
Child Arrangements Orders, Prohibited Steps and Specific Issue Orders
Care and supervision orders (s.31 Children Act 1989)
Non-molestation and occupation orders
Adoption and special guardianship orders
International child abduction cases

What it does not handle

Criminal aspects of domestic abuse (Magistrates'/Crown Court)
Wills and probate disputes (Chancery Division of the High Court)

Forms

C100

Child Arrangements / Specific Issue / Prohibited Steps application

FL401

Non-molestation / occupation order application

Form A

Financial remedy application

Fees

Divorce application: £593
Child arrangements application (C100): £255
Non-molestation order (FL401): Free
Financial remedy (Form A): £313

Appeals

Higher level of the Family Court, then High Court (Family Division), then Court of Appeal.

Representation

Legal aid limited to domestic abuse and certain children matters; many parties self-represent.

Official sources

https://www.gov.uk/courts-tribunals/family-court

Related guides

Last reviewed: 2026-05-21. This is legal information, not legal advice.