Central Family Court — C100, FL401 & hearings guide for fathers

Central Family Court — what it handles

Central Family Court is an HMCTS family court venue in London. Family panels here hear applications under the Children Act 1989 (child arrangements, prohibited steps, specific issue orders) and under the Family Law Act 1996 (non-molestation and occupation orders), alongside financial remedy and divorce work. The venue's registered areas of law include: adoption, child arrangements, divorce, domestic abuse, FGM, financial remedy, forced marriage.

✓ Reviewed by Sean McNamara on 2026-09-04 · Sources: official government and court-service pages linked below · Last full review 2026-09-04

Verified court details

Address

First Avenue House, 42-49 High Holborn, Holborn, London WC1V 6NP

Telephone

020 7421 8611 (adoption); 0330 808 4424 (applications)

Court code

115

Family work

adoption · child arrangements · divorce · domestic abuse · FGM · financial remedy · forced marriage

Official listing

HMCTS court finder

Data verified

2026-08-26

Representing yourself at Central? Start with the C100 application guide (if you are applying about your child) or the non-molestation defence guide (if you have been served with FL401 proceedings). Both are free, factual and written for litigants in person.

On this site for Central

C100 application at Central How to apply, fee, MIAM evidence, what happens after filing Non-molestation orders (FL401) Without-notice orders, return hearings, undertakings Forms & fees at Central Every form with its official GOV.UK source, current fees FHDRA first hearing What to expect, what to propose, Cafcass safeguarding Defending allegations Scott Schedule responses, findings of fact, evidence Direct-access barristers near Central How to check and instruct without a solicitor Visiting Central Family Court Facilities, access and practicalities

Local guides around Central

Before any hearing

Read what to bring to a family court hearing — bundle copies, your position statement, ID and the hearing notice.
Check your hearing notice for the exact venue, room/time and whether the hearing is by video (CVP). Some work listed at a venue is heard remotely.
Arrive 30–45 minutes early for security; bring printed copies of everything you rely on.
Free procedural help is available from Support Through Court and from Families Need Fathers peer meetings.

Helplines that answer

Samaritans

116 123 — 24/7, free from any phone

CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably)

0800 58 58 58 — 5pm–midnight daily

Men's Advice Line (Respect)

0808 801 0327 — Male victims of domestic abuse

National Domestic Abuse Helpline

0808 2000 247 — 24/7 (Refuge)

Before your hearing

Turning scattered messages, notes and dates into evidence takes structure. structure your statement and bundle before your hearing at Central — EvidenceCanvas is a guided toolkit that helps you draft a child-focused witness statement, answer a Scott Schedule point by point, and assemble a paginated court bundle. It is not a law firm and does not give legal advice.

See how EvidenceCanvas works

Legal Services Act 2007: we provide unregulated procedural information only. We do not conduct litigation, represent anyone, or offer legal advice. Family court proceedings involving children are confidential (FPR Part 12; s.12 Administration of Justice Act 1960). This site publishes no case details, party names, or user content.