Court list types explained
Short answer: Courts publish different lists for different jobs. Daily lists show what is happening today, firm lists show fixed dates ahead and warned lists show cases that may be called at short notice. Pick your court type below, and use your case reference to find your hearing.
If you have been sent to court, a list is the quickest way to find your courtroom. The names can be confusing, though, so this guide explains each list in plain English: who it is for, what each column means and what to do if your case is missing. Every list here is published by HM Courts & Tribunals Service on the official Court and Tribunal Hearings service.
Which list do I need?
| If you want to... | Read |
|---|---|
| Find your courtroom today at a Crown Court | Crown Daily List |
| Plan around a fixed Crown Court date | Crown Firm List |
| Understand being "warned" for a trial | Crown Warned List |
| Find a hearing in a magistrates' court | Magistrates Public List |
| Deal with a paper notice for a minor offence | Single Justice Procedure |
| Understand a civil or family hearing | Civil and Family lists |
Crown Court lists
- Crown Daily List explained: how to read it – What the Crown Court daily list is, what each column means and how to find your hearing on it. A plain-English guide for defendants, witnesses and visitors.
- Crown Firm List explained: what 'firm' means – What the Crown Court firm list is, what a 'firm' date means, how it differs from the daily and warned lists and how to use it to plan ahead.
- Crown Warned List explained: what 'warned' means – What it means to be on the Crown Court warned list, how short-notice calls work and what to do if you are warned for a hearing or trial.
Magistrates' court lists
- Magistrates Public List explained – What the magistrates' court public list is, what it shows and leaves out, how to find your hearing and why some cases may not appear on it.
- Magistrates Standard List explained – What the magistrates' court standard list is, how it relates to the public list, what you can expect to see and where to check the official version.
- Single Justice Procedure explained: what to do if you get a notice – What the Single Justice Procedure is, which offences it covers, what to do if you receive an SJP notice and how SJP lists work in England and Wales.
Civil and family lists
- Civil Daily Cause List explained – What a civil daily cause list is, what the terms mean, which hearings appear in county courts and the High Court and how to find yours.
- Family Daily Cause List explained – What the family daily cause list shows, why family hearings are usually private, who may attend and where to find help if you are going to a family court.
How to read any court list
- Start with your case reference. It is on your court letter, and it is more reliable than a name.
- Find the courtroom and time. The time is when the court expects to sit, not a promise.
- Check the hearing type. Use the court list decoder for jargon.
- Check again on the day. Lists change, so look at the screens in the building too.
What this site shows
We show Crown Court and magistrates' court lists only. We never store or show defendants' first names, we skip youth and restricted hearings, and we show when HMCTS last updated each list. Civil and family lists are explained here, but the official service is the place to read them. See how we get our lists.
If your case is not listed
A missing case does not mean a cancelled hearing. Read why isn't my case listed? and when are court lists published?, then follow your court letter and contact the court.
Frequently asked questions
What is a court list?
A court list is the schedule of hearings a court expects to deal with. It shows courtrooms, times, case references and the type of hearing, and it is published by HM Courts & Tribunals Service.
Why can I not see names on a list?
Public lists limit personal details to protect privacy. On this website we never store or show defendants' first names. Crown Court defendants appear as ****** SURNAME where the list gives one, and you find a case by its reference.
Which list should I read first?
Start with the daily list for your court type, because it shows what is happening today. Use the firm and warned lists if you are planning ahead for a Crown Court trial.
Are the times on a list exact?
No. They are the times the court expects to sit. Hearings often start later, so plan for a full day unless you have been told otherwise.
Next steps
Find your court in the courts directory, browse the Crown Courts or magistrates' courts, or search by case reference. New to court? Start with our guides.