Teesside Combined Court: What to Expect at a Family Hearing

Part of: Your First Family Court Hearing

Teesside Combined Court sits inside The Law Courts on Centre Square in the middle of Middlesbrough (TS1 2AE). Its family court hears divorce, children and adoption cases, and protection from domestic abuse, forced marriage and FGM. It is also one of a small number of courts piloting domestic abuse protection orders.

If your letter names Teesside Combined Court Centre, this guide takes you from the car park to the courtroom door. It covers who to contact, what the building offers, and what actually happens once you’re inside. It sits within our wider guide to your first family court hearing.

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

How do you find and contact Teesside Combined Court?

You may also see it called Teesside County Court or Middlesbrough Combined Court.

Before you set off, though, check the postcode on your letter. The Law Courts on Centre Square (TS1 2AE) is a different building from Teesside Justice Centre on Victoria Square (TS1 2AS), which houses the magistrates’ court.

These details come from the court’s official listing on the government court finder. It also warns that scammers are mimicking genuine HMCTS phone numbers and email addresses. So if a caller demands payment, don’t pay; instead, ring the court yourself on a number above.

Which family cases does Teesside Combined Court hear?

The court finder lists seven family case types here. Knowing which one yours is tells you a lot about the hearing ahead.

• Children. Disputes between parents about where a child lives or spends time, under the Children Act 1989 s.8, usually started on the C100 form. Family public law cases about children in care have their own digital process, with case numbers starting C5.
• Domestic abuse. Non-molestation and occupation orders under the Family Law Act 1996 Part IV. Teesside is also one of the pilot areas for domestic abuse protection orders, which most family courts cannot make yet.
• Forced marriage and FGM. Orders protecting someone from being forced into a marriage (Family Law Act 1996, s.63A), and orders protecting a girl from female genital mutilation (FGM Act 2003, Sch.2).
• Adoption. Adoption applications also come here, with a separate email address for enquiries.
• Divorce. Divorce enquiries, meanwhile, go to the divorce contact centre on 0300 303 0642.

One thing is missing from the list: financial remedy, the court process for dividing money and property after divorce. The FAQ below explains what that means for you.

What should you expect on the day at Teesside Combined Court?

Family hearings take place in private to protect your family’s confidentiality (Family Procedure Rules 2010, r.27.10). Here is how the day usually runs.

1. Park off site, or use a Blue Badge space. If you’re driving and don’t hold a Blue Badge, plan to arrive early and budget time to walk from Fry Street or France Street car park to the court entrance. Gov.uk does not publish an exact walking time or specific bus route numbers for this court. So check the live timetable on the National Rail or local bus operator’s site before you travel.
2. Clear security. Arrive at least 30 minutes early to clear security and find your courtroom, because all visitors pass through security screening on entry. Avoid bringing food, drink, or large bags unless essential, as they can slow you down at security.
3. Find your courtroom. Court staff, including the usher, will direct you. If you arranged the hearing loop in advance, remind staff when you arrive.
4. Settle in while you wait. There are five consultation rooms in the District Judges’ area and sixteen on the court floor, so you can talk privately with whoever came to support you. The waiting areas have toys, and baby changing is in the ground-floor disabled toilets.
5. Go into your hearing. The judge or magistrates hear from both parties and any advocates present. You’ll have the opportunity to set out your case and any evidence. Speak clearly and address the judge respectfully. Using a sound recorder in court without the judge’s permission is a contempt of court (Contempt of Court Act 1981, s.9).
6. Leave knowing what comes next. The judge may decide there and then, or reserve judgment for a later date. The court will tell you what happens next and give you any further hearing dates before you leave.

Worried about seeing the other party there?

If seeing the other party worries you, tell the court before the day. For example, the court can consider measures that stop you seeing them, or let you take part by video link (Family Procedure Rules 2010, r.3A.8). Our guide to special measures in family court explains how to ask.

Your Middlesbrough court day: are you on track?

Pick how you’re attending Teesside Combined Court, then tick what’s already true. It takes a minute, and it shows what is still worth sorting before the day.

Frequently asked questions

Expert Tip

Many parents tell us their mind went blank when the judge asked what they wanted. Before your hearing, write the two or three things that matter most for your child on one page, in plain words. Keep that page in front of you while you speak. Then, if you freeze, you can glance down and still say what you came to say.

Hannah Overton, Complex Children Specialist & Client Support