The Judges space
Judges & COP hearing centres
Who hears Court of Protection cases, where they sit, and what to expect on the day — in plain English. This page is factual and neutral: it never comments on individual judges or their decisions.
A note on neutrality
Judges must be independent, and this space respects that. We list public information about roles and hearing centres, and link to the official judiciary website for current appointments. We don't rank, rate or comment on individual judges — and neither should anything you file with the court.
Who sits in the Court of Protection
The President of the Court of Protection
The most senior COP judge, a High Court judge who leads the court nationally and hears the most complex or landmark cases.
The Vice-President
Also a High Court judge. Hears serious medical treatment cases, novel points of law and cases of particular difficulty.
High Court judges (nominated)
A group of Family Division and other High Court judges nominated to sit in the COP — typically for the most serious welfare and medical cases.
Circuit judges
The workhorses of the COP. Most contested welfare, deputyship and s.21A cases are heard by a circuit judge at a regional hearing centre.
District judges
Handle case management, directions hearings and straightforward applications — especially property & affairs work.
For the current President, Vice-President and the full list of nominated COP judges, see the official judiciary website . Appointments change, so always check there before a hearing.
Regional hearing centres
Your case is usually heard at the centre nearest to where P lives. Many hearings are remote, so you may never need to travel.
First Avenue House, High Holborn, London
The Court of Protection's central registry and main hearing centre.
Birmingham Civil Justice Centre
Regional COP hearings for the Midlands.
Cardiff Civil Justice Centre
Regional COP hearings for Wales.
Bristol Civil Justice Centre
Regional COP hearings for the South West.
Manchester Civil Justice Centre
Regional COP hearings for the North West.
Newcastle Civil & Family Courts
Regional COP hearings for the North East.
Leeds Combined Court Centre
Regional COP hearings for Yorkshire and the Humber.
Addresses and arrangements change — confirm the venue on your hearing notice or via the official court finder .
What to expect at a hearing
How to address the judge
High Court judges are “My Lord” or “My Lady”. Circuit judges are “Your Honour”. District judges are “Sir” or “Madam”. If you're not sure, “Sir” or “Madam” is always safe.
Remote or in person
Many COP hearings are still held by video. The order listing your hearing will say which. For video hearings, join early, keep your camera on unless told otherwise, and mute when not speaking.
What to bring
The bundle (or a link to it), your position statement, a notebook, and the draft order if you have one. Families attending to observe don't need to bring anything — you can simply watch and listen.
Transparency
Most COP hearings are now held in public under the transparency pilot, but reporting restrictions apply — P must not be identified. Check the transparency order made at the start of the hearing.
Decisions
Some judges give a decision on the day; others “reserve” it and send a written judgment later. Either is normal — a reserved judgment is not a bad sign.
Going further
General information, not legal advice. Court arrangements and judicial appointments change — always confirm with the court or the official judiciary website.