When are court lists published?
Short answer: There is no single publication time that applies to every court. Lists are prepared by each court's listing office and published through the official HMCTS Court and Tribunal Hearings service, and they can be added to or changed later. Check the official list the evening before, again on the morning of the hearing, and rely on your court letter.
If you are waiting to see whether a hearing has been listed, it is natural to want an exact time that the list will go live. The honest answer is that it varies, and no website can promise one. This guide explains how lists are published, why timings differ, and the simplest way to stay up to date without worrying.
The quick facts
- Lists come from HMCTS, the government body that runs the courts in England and Wales.
- They are published through the Court and Tribunal Hearings service.
- Timings differ between court types and between individual courts.
- Lists can be updated after publication, so check again on the day.
- A list does not replace your court letter.
What a hearing list is
A hearing list is the court’s schedule. It shows which cases the court expects to hear, in which courtroom, and roughly when. Some lists cover a single day, while others show cases that have a fixed date in the future or may be called with little notice. Our list explainers describe each type in detail.
Why timings vary
Each court’s listing office decides what is heard and when. Several things affect when a list appears:
- The number of cases and courtrooms to organise.
- Last-minute changes, such as a defendant not being produced or a witness being unavailable.
- Urgent cases that are added to the list.
- Lists for different court types being prepared by different teams.
- The practical process of reviewing a list before it goes public.
We have not verified a standard time against an official source, so we do not publish one. The official service shows when each list was published.
The main list types
| List type | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Daily list | The cases the court expects to hear on a given day |
| Firm list | Cases with a fixed date, usually published further ahead |
| Warned list | Cases that may be called on at short notice |
See the Crown Daily List, Firm List and Warned List pages for how to read each one.
How to check a list
- Open your court’s page on this site, or go to the official service via the “View the official list” button.
- Look at the date and time shown for when the list was published or updated.
- Find your case by its reference number, because names are not always shown.
- Check again in the evening, then once more on the morning of your hearing.
- Ring the court if the list is not there and your hearing is close.
A simple checking routine
You do not need to refresh a list all day. This routine works for most people:
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| A few days before | Read your court letter, plan the journey and note the case reference |
| The evening before | Look at the published list if there is one, and check for any changes |
| The morning of the hearing | Check the list again before you leave |
| On arrival | Look at the screens or boards, and tell the usher you are there |
Reading the times on our court pages
Each court page shows two separate times, and they mean different things:
- Updated by HMCTS is when the official list was last published or changed.
- We last checked is when our system last looked at the official source.
Both are shown in UK time. If the two are close together, the information is fresh. If the list was updated a while ago, it may still be current, because many lists do not change once published.
Common myths
- “If it is not on the list, it is not happening.” Not true. Lists can be late, and some hearings are never published.
- “The list will be there at the same time every day.” Not true. Timings vary between courts and days.
- “The listed time is when my case will start.” Not true. It is when the court expects to sit.
- “The website knows more than the court.” Not true. The court and your solicitor know your case best.
Weekends and bank holidays
Courts normally sit on weekdays, other than limited urgent work, so a list may not appear for weekends and bank holidays. Check your court letter for the date and time. If your hearing falls near a holiday, contact the court if you are unsure.
How this site helps
We check the official lists regularly and show the latest version we have found for Crown Courts and magistrates’ courts. Each court page shows when HMCTS last updated a list and when we last checked it. We never store or show defendants’ first names. You can also search by case reference. The official service remains the authority, so confirm with it if anything matters.
If your hearing is not listed yet
- Do not panic, because a missing list does not mean your hearing has been cancelled.
- Follow your court letter. Unless the court tells you otherwise, you should attend.
- Check the court and list type. See why isn’t my case listed?.
- Ask your solicitor, who can often confirm the position quickly.
- Contact the court if you are still unsure.
Last-minute changes
Even after a list is published, things can change. Cases may be moved to another courtroom, started earlier or later, or put off to another day. Check the screens in the building and speak to the usher when you arrive. Our guide to finding your courtroom explains how.
For journalists
If you need a list for reporting, check the official service and confirm with the court’s listing office. See our guide for court reporters.
Preparing for the day
Our hearing day planner helps you work out when to leave. Read what to expect at a Crown Court, and if you are the defendant, see going to court as a defendant.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the list for tomorrow not published yet?
Lists are prepared by each court and can be published at different times. A list may also be updated after it first appears. Check the official service again later, and rely on the instructions in your court paperwork.
Are court lists published on weekends?
Courts normally sit on weekdays, so lists usually relate to working days. Some urgent work happens outside normal hours, but most people will not find a list for a weekend or bank holiday.
Can a list change after it is published?
Yes. Cases can be added, moved, delayed or withdrawn at short notice. This is why you should check again on the day.
How do I know when a list was published?
The official service shows when each list was published or last updated. Our court pages also show when HMCTS last updated a list and when we last checked it, in UK time.
Do I need to check a list if I have a court letter?
Your court letter tells you where and when to go and always comes first. A list is a useful extra check of your courtroom, but it does not replace the instructions you were given.