Brentford County Court: What to Expect at a Family Hearing

Part of: Your First Family Court Hearing

Brentford County Court is at Alexandra Road, High Street, Brentford TW8 0JJ, and it opens Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm. Attending Brentford County and Family Court can feel daunting, especially if you’ve never been to a family hearing before. It is a county court and a family court in one building, so alongside children, divorce and domestic abuse cases it also deals with housing possession and money claims. This guide sticks to the family side: which contact line fits your case, how to reach the door, what is on each floor, and what happens once your hearing starts. It is part of our family court guides, which cover courts across England and Wales.

Reviewed by: Iblal Iqbal, Partner & Family Law Strategist, Kabir Family Law

Where is Brentford County Court and how do I contact it?

Every detail below comes from the court’s HMCTS court finder listing. Pick the line that matches your case, and quote your case number each time you call or email.

The same listing carries a warning. Scammers are imitating HMCTS phone numbers and emails and asking for money. If a call or email worries you, pay nothing and report it to Action Fraud.

Which family cases does Brentford Family Court hear?

The court finder lists three family areas here: children, divorce and domestic violence. The other two, housing possession and money claims, are civil work. Financial remedy is not listed at all.

• Children. Disputes between parents start with a C100 form. For children applications, the court finder also names West London Family Court in Feltham as a single point of entry, so go by the building on your notice of hearing.
• Children in care. Public law cases carry case numbers starting C5. They run on a digital process, with their own phone line and email in the table above.
• Domestic violence. You ask for protection, such as a non-molestation order, on Form FL401.
• Divorce. Divorce enquiries have their own contact centre on 0300 303 0642, open weekdays until 6pm.
• Not listed: financial remedy. Money and property claims after divorce do not appear on this court’s listing. The questions below show where the court finder points instead.

Whenever the court decides a question about a child’s upbringing, the child’s welfare comes first (Children Act 1989, s.1).

How do I get to Brentford County Court?

The simplest rail route is from Brentford station, which has South Western Railway services. From there, TfL’s walking route is about 695 metres and takes around 9 minutes.

On foot from the station. The route leaves by Sidney Gardens, then follows Boston Manor Road and Half Acre, St Paul’s Road and Back Lane to Alexandra Road. Allow a little extra time if you don’t know the area.

By bus. Two stops carry the court’s name. Stop BK, about 30 metres away, serves routes 235, 237, 267 and the N9 towards Isleworth or Twickenham. Stop BQ, about 90 metres away, serves route 195 towards Boston Manor. Coming from the other direction, you may use a different stop, so check the TfL Journey Planner before you set off.

Is there parking near the court?

The court’s own GOV.UK listing does not name an on-site or partner car park. Check the London Borough of Hounslow’s website for current parking locations, rates and any Blue Badge concessions before you travel, rather than relying on a specific figure here.

What happens at a family hearing at Brentford County Court?

These steps follow a typical hearing day here, although your judge may run things differently.

1. The day before: match your notice to the right line. Check the building and time on your notice of hearing. The counter is open by appointment only, so ring 0208 231 8941 first if you need it.
2. Ask for support early. A hearing loop and Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyards are available on request, and assistance dogs are welcomed.
3. Check access and interpreters. If you have specific mobility needs, call the court in advance on 0300 123 5577 to confirm step-free access and lift arrangements for your hearing room, as this isn’t itemised on the court’s own listing. Ask about an interpreter on the same call.
4. Arrive 30 minutes early. Court staff, including the usher, will direct you once you’re inside.
5. Know what is on each floor. The ground floor has a water cooler, baby changing facilities and one interview room. The first floor has a hot beverage vending machine and two more interview rooms.
6. Go into a private hearing. Family proceedings take place in private, so the general public has no right to attend (Family Procedure Rules, r.27.10). The judge or legal adviser hears from both parties. You’ll get the chance to explain your position and refer to your evidence, so speak clearly and address the judge respectfully. Keep your phone off, because recording sound in court without permission is a contempt of court (Contempt of Court Act 1981, s.9).
7. Leave knowing the next step. The judge may give a decision on the day, or reserve judgment for a later date. Either way, you’ll be told what happens next, including any further hearing date.

Worried about attending without a specialist at your side? Our guide to your first family court hearing walks through the day.

Is your Brentford County Court hearing day on track?

Choose what your hearing is about, then tick what is already true. It takes a minute, and it shows what is still open.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I get family law advice near Brentford County Court?

Kabir Family Law specialises exclusively in family law. Our specialists understand the practical realities of attending Brentford County and Family Court, from the paperwork you’ll need to what a first hearing actually feels like. Our nearest office to the court is our Fulham office, and we advise parents in children cases, people who need protection from abuse, and couples going through divorce. You can start with a genuinely free initial consultation, with no financial pressure, to explain your situation and talk through your options.

Expert Tip

A common worry before a hearing is what to bring. Bring anything the court has already told you to send, plus a clear copy for yourself. Try not to rely on handing new papers to the judge in the courtroom, because the other side may not have seen them and the judge may not have time to read them. If something important has changed, get advice before the hearing about how to put it before the court.

Garry Steedman, Family Law Consultant (Divorce, Children & TOLATA)