Croydon County Court and Family Court — self-representation guide

Reviewed by Sean McNamara on 2026-10-21

If you are representing yourself in a family matter, you are not alone. This guide lays out, plainly and without judgement, what to expect at Croydon County Court and Family Court so you can walk in more prepared and less uncertain.

The essentials

• Address: The Law Courts, Altyre Road, Croydon CR9 5AB
• Phone (HMCTS National Contact Centre for Civil & Family Court — general enquiries): 0300 123 5577 (Monday–Friday 8.30am–5pm)
• Phone (Family public law / children in care, case numbers starting C5): 0330 808 4424
• Phone (Divorce Contact Centre): 0300 303 0642 (Monday–Friday 10am–6pm)
• Court code / County Court location code: 182
• DX: 97470 Croydon 6
• Court type: County Court and Designated Family Court (handles adoption, divorce, childcare arrangements, domestic abuse, DAPOs and other family matters)
• Court opening times (official): Monday–Friday 7.45am–5.45pm
• Counter opening times (official): By appointment only
• Last verified: 2026-08-26 (`verifiedAt`) from the HMCTS "Find a court or tribunal" register

Contact and enquiries (official HMCTS details)

These are the contact routes listed on the official HMCTS "Find a court or tribunal" page. Use the family court enquiry email for general and C100 (child arrangements) applications, and the urgent application email for urgent private-law matters and FL401 (domestic-abuse injunction) applications.

Telephone

• Enquiries (National Contact Centre for Civil & Family Court): 0300 123 5577 (Monday–Friday 8.30am–5pm)
• Divorce Contact Centre: 0300 303 0642 (Monday–Friday 10am–6pm)
• Family public law (children in care, digital cases starting C5): 0330 808 4424
• If you have a disability and need help coming to a hearing, call 0300 303 0642
• Fax: 01264 347989

Email (@justice.gov.uk)

• Family court enquiries (including C100 applications): family.croydon.countycourt@justice.gov.uk
• County court urgent applications (urgent private law & Family Law Act injunctions, e.g. FL401): croydonurgentapp@justice.gov.uk
• Family public law / children in care (digital cases starting C5): contactfpl@justice.gov.uk
• Enquiries: enquiries.croydon.countycourt@justice.gov.uk
• Listing: hearings.croydon.countycourt@justice.gov.uk
• Enforcement / bailiffs: bailiffs.croydon.countycourt@justice.gov.uk
• Breathing space: croydon.breathingspace@justice.gov.uk

Safety note on scams: HMCTS warns that scammers impersonate genuine HMCTS phone numbers and email addresses and may demand payment, claiming to be from HMRC or enforcement. If you are unsure, do not pay anything and report the scam to Action Fraud. HMCTS scam warning (gov.uk)

Getting there & access

Croydon County Court and Family Court is at The Law Courts, Altyre Road, Croydon CR9 5AB. It sits close to the town centre, which means transport and parking deserve planning ahead of your hearing day.

By train / tram

• Croydon's main stations (East Croydon and West Croydon) are served by National Rail and London Overground services, and the Tramlink network runs through the town. The court is a short walk from the town-centre stations, but it is worth confirming your exact route and the current status before you travel.
• Check live journey planning and service status via National Rail Enquiries or TfL before you leave.

Parking

• Per the official HMCTS page: parking is available in Ruskin Square car park or NCP Croydon Whitgift (charges apply). There is no disabled parking on site, but there are options to park opposite the court with an appropriate Blue Badge displayed.

Building accessibility (official HMCTS details)

• Disabled access: wheelchair access is provided, but arrangements for hearings need to be organised in advance with the court office.
• Hidden Disabilities Sunflower network: lanyards available on request.
• Assistance dogs: welcome.
• Hearing loop: hearing enhancement facilities available by prior arrangement — contact the court office by phone or email.
• Interview rooms: three on the upper floor and four in the family suite.
• Baby changing facility: available in the disabled toilets on the ground floor.
• Prayer / quiet room: prayer facilities available.
• Video facilities: video link available if arranged in advance with the court office.
• For interpreters/translators, see the official interpreter guidance.

What cases this court handles

According to the official HMCTS "Find a court or tribunal" page, Croydon County Court and Family Court handles:

• Adoption
• Bankruptcy
• Childcare arrangements if you separate from your partner
• Divorce hearings
• Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs)
• Domestic abuse
• High Court cases — serious or high-profile criminal or civil law cases
• Housing and money claims

For family matters this court is a venue for C100 (child arrangements) applications, FL401 (domestic-abuse injunction) applications, divorce, adoption and related private and public-law matters.

Not every family case is heard here. If you are unsure whether your matter belongs at Croydon:

• Check your court documents. The notice of hearing and any correspondence you received will name the court and address where you are expected.
• Ask the listings office. Court staff are there to point you in the right direction. It is always better to ask a question than to arrive at the wrong hearing on the wrong day.

The C100 / FHDRA reality

For most self-representing parents, the journey starts with a C100 application (a child arrangements, prohibited steps or specific issue order). The first hearing is usually a FHDRA (First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment), and it is worth knowing what it actually is.

• The FHDRA is not the final hearing and almost never decides the case. Its purpose is for the judge to understand the dispute, check what is agreed and what is not, and identify whether mediation could resolve it without a longer contested hearing.
• You may attend by phone or video for many FHDRA hearings, though the judge can direct attendance in person. Confirm the arrangements on your hearing notice — and check whether Croydon has listed your hearing for a video/phone link.
• Cafcass (the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service) will usually be involved and will carry out safeguarding checks before this hearing.
• The judge will often give directions — things each side must do (for example, attend mediation, file a position statement) before the next hearing. Make a note of every deadline.
• You are allowed to take notes and to ask the judge or court staff to explain anything you do not follow. It is far better to ask than to guess.
• Bring a copy of your C100 and any response, plus anything the court has asked you to bring.

Domestic abuse / FL401 safety

If you are experiencing domestic abuse, please know you are not alone and the court takes abuse seriously. This court handles domestic abuse matters, including Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs) and FL401 applications, and there is help available to you.

FL401 is the court application form used to apply for a non-molestation order (which stops someone threatening or using violence towards you) or an occupation order (which decides who can live in the family home). You can often apply urgently, sometimes without telling the other person first.

• Refuge National Domestic Abuse Helpline (freephone, 24/7): 0808 2000 247
• Emergency: if you are in immediate danger, call 999.
• Non-emergency police: 101 for non-urgent concerns or to report something that is not an emergency.

Please use a safe device. "Safe" means a phone, computer or tablet that an abusive partner or ex-partner cannot access — for example a device at work, at a trusted friend or family member's home, or a library. Calls, messages, browsing history and app activity can be monitored on a device or account the abuser has access to, so take care when researching this information or applying for an order. If you are worried your device is being monitored, consider seeking help from a service you trust or where you know the device is private.

Links you may find helpful:

• Domestic violence – injunctions (non-molestation and occupation orders) — official gov.uk guide
• Refuge — National Domestic Abuse Helpline (need help now)

Financial remedy note

Where a divorce or dissolution also involves dividing money, property and pensions, the court process uses Form E (a full financial statement). Both sides must give full and frank disclosure of their finances — this is a core obligation and the court expects it even from self-representing parties. The aim is often to reach agreement, but the court has the power to make a financial order if you cannot.

A practical first-visit checklist

Before your first visit, work through this list so nothing catches you by surprise:

• [ ] Confirm the court name and address on your notice of hearing — make sure your case is listed at Croydon County Court and Family Court (The Law Courts, Altyre Road, Croydon CR9 5AB).
• [ ] If unsure it is the right court, call the HMCTS enquiries line on 0300 123 5577 to confirm.
• [ ] Check the court's opening times — court open Monday–Friday 7.45am–5.45pm; the counter is by appointment only, so call ahead if you need to see staff.
• [ ] If you have a disability and need help attending (including hearing-loop or wheelchair arrangements), contact the court office in advance on 0300 303 0642.
• [ ] Plan your journey and parking (Ruskin Square or NCP Croydon Whitgift) and allow extra time.
• [ ] Bring your court documents, a form of ID, and anything the court asked you to bring (including a copy of your C100 or FL401).
• [ ] Bring a notebook and pen to record anything important.
• [ ] Dress comfortably but respectably; you may be waiting some time.
• [ ] Arrange childcare or time off in advance so you are not rushed on the day.
• [ ] Prepare in plain words what you want the judge to know, and keep it calm and specific.
• [ ] Remember that court staff are there to help you navigate the building and the process — ask for help when you need it.

You are entitled to a fair hearing. Preparing for the practical realities — the travel, the waiting, the uncertainty — is one of the best things you can do to give yourself a steadier day.

YourFamilyCase.co.uk is an independent information directory — we are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to HMCTS, Croydon County Court and Family Court, or gov.uk. Court details are sourced from the public HMCTS register and reviewed for accuracy; always confirm the latest position directly with the court.

Official forms & guidance (gov.uk):

• Croydon County Court and Family Court — HMCTS official "Find a court or tribunal" page
• Form C100 — Apply for a court order about a child (child arrangements, prohibited steps or specific issue order)
• Form FL401 — Apply for a non-molestation or occupation order (domestic abuse)
• Apply for a child arrangements order / court order
• Domestic violence – injunctions (non-molestation and occupation orders)
• Form C110A — Application for a care or supervision order or an Emergency Protection Order
• MyHMCTS — how to apply for a family public law order
• Find a solicitor (Law Society)
• What to expect when you come to court