Family court & support in Ashford (Kent)
REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-29
Which court serves you
Ashford has no family court of its own (the Ashford Magistrates' Court does not take family work). Family cases for the Ashford area are heard at:
- Canterbury Combined Court and Family Court Hearing Centre, The Law Courts, Chaucer Road, Canterbury CT1 1ZA — the regional family venue (see our Canterbury court guide)
- Some complex listings may route to Maidstone Combined Court Centre (see our Maidstone guide)
Always follow the venue on your notice of hearing. National enquiry line: 0300 123 5577.
Citizens Advice
- Citizens Advice in North & West Kent / Ashford — local office; phone the national Adviceline 0800 144 8848 for routing to your nearest adviser
Mediation & your MIAM
Before most applications you must consider a MIAM. Search the FMC register for mediators covering the Ashford/Kent area — see our mediation guide for costs (£500 voucher, ~£120 MIAM, legal aid). The Kent & Sussex CA and Home Counties mediation pages may help.
Domestic abuse support
- Refuge National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (24/7) · emergency 999
- Kent-area services via the Women's Aid directory: womensaid.org.uk
- See our Home Counties DA support page
Children's services
Kent County Council children's services — contact routes via https://www.gov.uk/report-child-abuse (postcode lookup).
Getting there
Ashford International station has direct rail to Canterbury (and London); if your hearing is at Canterbury, allow ~30 min by train. See the Canterbury court guide for access and facilities.
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.