About this guide
HMCTS states it only investigates how staff handled your case, not the judge’s decision.
FULL FAMILY COURT COMPLAINT PROCESS (England & Wales)
Including ALL complaint routes, appeals, judicial complaints, HMCTS complaints, Ombudsman, and official links
ROUTE 1 — Complaint About the Court Service (HMCTS)
This is for:
- delays
- lost documents
- rude staff
- admin failures
- listing problems
- phone/email failures
- mistakes by court staff
- poor handling of your case by staff
NOT for:
- the judge’s decision
- judicial conduct
- legal advice
HMCTS states it only investigates how staff handled your case, not the judge’s decision.
Official page:
HMCTS Complaints Procedure
STAGE 1 — Complain Directly to the Family Court
First complain to your local family court.
You can:
- use the online complaints form
- speak to staff at court
- write by post
- use Form EX343A
HMCTS says you can complete the online complaints form or speak to staff in court.
Online complaint form:
HMCTS Online Complaint Form
Paper form:
Form EX343A Complaint Form
PDF direct download:
EX343A PDF Form
Accessible forms email:
hmctsforms@justice.gov.uk
STAGE 2 — Escalate the Complaint
If the local court response is poor:
Ask for:
Senior Manager Review
Request:
- full complaint review
- written explanation
- compensation where appropriate
- apology
- correction of errors
Keep copies of everything.
STAGE 3 — Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO)
If HMCTS final response is unsatisfactory:
You can escalate to:
Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
Official site:
Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
IMPORTANT:
You usually need:
Your MP to refer the complaint
This is called the “MP filter.”
Find your MP:
Find Your MP
ROUTE 2 — Complaint About the Judge (Judicial Misconduct)
This is for:
- rudeness
- bullying
- bias in conduct
- inappropriate behaviour
- discrimination
- misconduct
- improper comments
NOT for:
- disagreeing with the legal decision
JCIO cannot overturn decisions—only misconduct complaints.
Official page:
Judicial Complaints Portal (JCIO)
What they can investigate:
What You Can Complain About
TIME LIMIT FOR JUDGE COMPLAINTS
You must usually complain within:
3 months
JCIO confirms this.
Official rule page:
JCIO Time Limit Rules
If JCIO Rejects Your Complaint
You may escalate to:
Judicial Appointments and Conduct Ombudsman
Usually within:
28 days
ROUTE 3 — You Disagree With the Judge’s Decision
This is NOT a complaint.
This is:
AN APPEAL
Examples:
- child arrangements order
- prohibited steps order
- specific issue order
- non-molestation order
- occupation order
- fact-finding decision
- financial remedy order
- care proceedings decisions
FAMILY COURT APPEAL PROCESS
STEP 1 — Permission to Appeal
Usually:
You must ask within:
21 days
(often from the order date—check your order)
You usually need:
Permission to Appeal
unless exempt.
STEP 2 — Appeal Forms
Most commonly:
Form N161
(Appellant’s Notice)
Official page:
Form N161 Appellant’s Notice
Depending on the case, other forms may apply.
STEP 3 — Appeal Court
Appeals may go to:
- Circuit Judge
- High Court Judge
- Court of Appeal
depending on who made the original order.
URGENT FAMILY COURT ISSUES
Examples:
- child removal
- domestic abuse
- injunction breaches
- urgent safeguarding
Use your specific court urgently.
Example for Central Family Court:
Urgent applications:
cfc.urgentapplications@justice.gov.uk
Court page:
Central Family Court
Example for East London Family Court:
Urgent applications:
elfcurgentapps@justice.gov.uk
Court page:
East London Family Court
To find your local court:
Find a Court or Tribunal
If CAFCASS Is the Problem
If your complaint is about CAFCASS:
Official complaints page:
CAFCASS Complaints Process
If Your Solicitor Is the Problem
Complain to:
- the law firm first
- then the Legal Ombudsman
Legal Ombudsman:
Legal Ombudsman
What You Should Ask For
Always request:
- correction of errors
- rehearing if appropriate
- transcript disclosure
- urgent review
- apology
- compensation (where allowed)
- safeguarding review
- judicial reconsideration if applicable
- formal written response
VERY IMPORTANT RULE
Always send COPIES, not original documents, in case they are not returned.
Never send originals unless specifically ordered by the court.
Keep:
- proof of posting
- screenshots
- call logs
- hearing notes
- orders
- emails
- evidence bundle
This is critical.
OUR Strong Advice
For serious family court cases:
Use BOTH:
formal complaint + appeal route
at the same time where appropriate.
Many people wrongly use only one.
You often need both.