Court guides
Short answer: If you are going to court, start with the guide that matches your role: defendant, witness, victim, supporter or visitor. Each one explains what happens, what to bring and who can help, in plain English and without legal jargon.
Going to court can be stressful, mostly because nobody tells you what to expect. These guides are written for ordinary people, not lawyers. They explain the steps, the words you will hear and the help available, so your day is easier. They are general information, not legal advice, and your court letter always comes first.
If you are going to court yourself
- Going to court as a defendant – Been charged or summoned to court? A calm, step-by-step guide to what you must do, how to prepare, what happens on the day and where to get help.
- Attending court as a witness – Asked to give evidence in a criminal court? Find out what happens, what to expect in the witness box and what help is available before, during and after.
- Victims of crime at court: your rights and support – A calm guide for victims of crime going to court in England and Wales: your rights, free support services, special measures and what happens on the day.
What to expect at each court
- What to expect at a magistrates' court – Heading to a magistrates' court in England or Wales? Learn what happens at a first hearing, who decides your case and what the possible outcomes are.
- What to expect at a Crown Court – Going to a Crown Court in England or Wales? See what happens on the day, who you will meet, how to behave and what to bring, in plain English.
On the day
- Security checks at court: what to bring and what to leave at home – What happens at the security entrance of a UK court, what you can bring, what to leave at home and how early to arrive so you are not caught out.
- How to find your courtroom on the day – Not sure which courtroom your hearing is in? Learn how to find it before you travel and on the day, how to read court lists and who to ask.
Supporting someone or watching
- Family members at court: how to support someone – Going to court to support a relative or friend? Find out where you can sit, what the rules are, what to bring and how to help in a practical, calm way.
- Watching a court hearing: the public gallery guide – Yes, you can usually watch a court hearing in England and Wales. Learn how to find a case, what the rules are and what you cannot do in the public gallery.
- Court reporting guide for journalists – A practical starting point for journalists and bloggers reporting from courts in England and Wales: open justice, reporting restrictions, lists and contempt of court.
Understanding court lists
- When are court lists published? – When are hearing lists published for courts in England and Wales? Learn why timings vary, how to check the official list and what to do if yours is missing.
- Why isn't my case listed? – Cannot find your hearing on a court list? Here are the most common reasons a case is missing in England and Wales, and what to do next.
Where to start
| Your situation | Start with |
|---|---|
| You have been charged or summoned | Going to court as a defendant |
| You have been asked to give evidence | Attending court as a witness |
| You are the victim of a crime | Victims of crime at court |
| You want to watch a hearing | The public gallery guide |
| You cannot find your case | Why isn't my case listed? |
Tools that help
- Hearing day planner: when to arrive, plus a checklist and calendar reminder.
- Court list decoder: jargon from a hearing list, explained.
- Court finder: find a court by name, town or postcode.
- Case reference search: look for your hearing on Crown and magistrates' lists.
To understand what each list shows, read our court list types explained.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to go to court if I am sent a letter?
If the letter is a summons, a notice to attend or a witness summons, yes, unless the court tells you otherwise. Contact the court and a solicitor if you cannot attend.
Can I get free legal advice?
Often yes. A duty solicitor is normally available at magistrates' courts, and legal aid or advice charities may help depending on your case. Ask the court or an advice service.
Are these guides legal advice?
No. They are general information written in plain English. Your court paperwork and your solicitor always come first.
How do I find my courtroom?
Check the list for the day by case reference, look at the screens in the building and ask the usher. Our guide on finding your courtroom has step-by-step help.
Written in plain English by an independent site. We are not part of HMCTS. See about us and how we get our lists.