Why isn't my case listed?
Short answer: A missing case does not mean your hearing has been cancelled. The list may not be published yet, the hearing may be private, or you may be looking at the wrong court, list type or date. Follow your court letter, and contact the court or your solicitor to confirm.
You have checked the list and your case is not there. That is a worrying moment, but in most cases there is a simple explanation. This guide explains the common reasons and what to do about each one, so you can work out your next step calmly.
What to do right now
- Do not assume the hearing is off. Plan to attend unless you are told otherwise.
- Check your court letter. Look at the court, date, time and case reference.
- Check your details. Make sure you are looking at the right court, date and list type.
- Contact the court or your solicitor. They can confirm what is happening.
Common reasons and what to do
| Reason | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| List not yet published | The court has not published the list | Check again later, and see when lists are published |
| Wrong court | There may be several buildings in your area | Check the address on your paperwork |
| Wrong list type | Crown Court and magistrates’ lists are separate | Browse our list explainers |
| Wrong date | Hearings are moved at short notice | Check for new letters or messages |
| Private hearing | Youth, family and some other hearings are not shown | Ask the court, or your solicitor |
| Limited details | Public lists show only some information | Search by case reference, not by name |
| Late addition | The case was added after the list was published | Check again, and ask on the day |
| Typing mistake | The reference was entered wrongly | Check each character |
Three common situations
“My letter says today, but the list is empty”
The list may not have been updated yet, or the court may use a different list type than the one you are looking at. Ask at the information desk or the usher, who can check the court’s own records.
“My hearing was yesterday and has disappeared”
Lists are kept for a limited time. Once a hearing has passed, it may no longer appear. If you need to know what happened, ask your solicitor or the court.
“I can see the court, but not my courtroom”
The court may not have allocated a courtroom yet. Courtrooms are often assigned close to the day, and may change. Check the screens in the building on arrival.
Hearings that are never public
Not every hearing appears on a public list. Examples include:
- Youth court cases, which are not open to the public.
- Family court matters, which are often private.
- Hearings subject to restrictions ordered by a judge.
- Some matters involving sensitive information.
If you believe your hearing falls into one of these groups, rely on your paperwork and talk to your solicitor.
Limits of this website
This site shows Crown Court and magistrates’ court lists only, taken from the official HMCTS service. We never show or store defendants’ first names, we skip youth and restricted rows, and we remove entries on request. So your case may be real and listed officially, but not shown here. The official service remains the authority. See how we get our lists for the details.
Check the basics
- Reference number: copy it exactly from your letter.
- Court name: check you did not choose a similarly named court.
- Date: make sure the date is a working day, because courts do not normally list hearings at weekends.
- List type: crown and magistrates’ lists are published separately.
- Time of day: lists can be updated, so try again later.
You can use our search by case reference or open your court’s page from the courts directory.
Who to contact
- Your solicitor knows your case and can usually check quickly.
- The court named on your letter can tell you whether a hearing is booked. Ask for the listing office or the court’s customer service.
- The police or prosecution team can help if you are a witness or victim, through the witness care unit.
- A citizens advice centre can help if you do not have a solicitor.
Have your case reference ready, and keep a note of who you spoke to.
What to say when you ring the court
Having the right details ready makes the call quicker for everyone:
- Your full name and the case reference from your letter.
- The court, date and time you were given.
- Whether you are the defendant, witness, victim or supporter.
- What you could not find, for example “I cannot see my hearing on the list for today”.
- A phone number where the court can reach you.
Staff cannot give legal advice, but they can confirm whether a hearing is booked and where it will take place.
What not to do
- Do not rely on a website alone to decide that you need not attend.
- Do not stay away because you could not find your name.
- Do not wait until the last moment to ask, because staff can be busy.
- Do not share your case reference publicly online.
If you are a witness, victim or supporter
Witnesses and victims should contact the witness care unit, who will tell them if a hearing moves. See attending court as a witness. Supporters should ask the person they are helping, and read family members at court.
If you are the defendant
If you are the person charged, follow the instructions you were given, and contact your solicitor straight away. Our guide going to court as a defendant sets out what to do, and finding your courtroom helps on the day.
Frequently asked questions
If my case is not listed, do I still have to go?
Yes, unless the court or your solicitor has told you otherwise. A website or list is not a reliable way to confirm that you do not need to attend. Follow your court letter, and ask if you are unsure.
Why does this website not show my case?
We only show Crown Court and magistrates' court lists published by HMCTS, and we skip youth and restricted hearings. We do not show or store defendants' first names. Other courts and tribunals are not included.
Could a typing mistake be the problem?
Yes. Check the case reference character by character, and try the reference from your court letter. Letters and numbers such as O and 0 are easy to mix up.
How do I contact the court?
Use the phone number or email on your paperwork, or the details on the court's page. Have your case reference ready, and ask for the listing office if you need help with a list.
What if the hearing was moved to another court?
Cases are sometimes moved between courts. Check any new letters or messages, and ask your solicitor or the court. Our court pages show nearby courts that you can compare.