Civil Daily Cause List explained
Short answer: A civil daily cause list is a court's schedule of civil hearings for the day, such as debt claims, housing cases and personal injury claims. A 'cause' just means a case. Find yours by its claim number, and check your court letter, because civil lists often name the parties and this site does not republish them.
Civil courts are less well known than criminal courts, yet they deal with disputes that affect everyday life, from unpaid debts to housing and injury claims. This page explains the Civil Daily Cause List, its terms and how to find your hearing.
What the Civil Daily Cause List is
A cause list is a schedule of cases. The Civil Daily Cause List shows civil hearings that a court plans to hear on a particular day. It is published by HM Courts & Tribunals Service on the official Court and Tribunal Hearings service, and it covers civil work in county courts and the High Court.
Civil and criminal cases
| Criminal | Civil | |
|---|---|---|
| Who brings the case | The state, through a prosecutor | A person or organisation, called the claimant |
| Who is accused | A defendant | A defendant, who is being sued |
| Typical aim | Decide guilt and punish | Settle a dispute, often about money, property or rights |
Civil cases include debt claims, disputes over contracts, housing and possession cases, consumer problems and personal injury claims.
What the columns usually show
| Column | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Court or courtroom | The building and the room |
| Time | When the court expects to start |
| Case or claim number | The number that identifies the claim |
| Hearing type | What kind of hearing it is |
| Judge | Who is expected to hear it |
| Parties | The names of the people or organisations involved, where shown |
Layouts vary between courts. Civil lists frequently show party names, which is one reason this site does not republish them.
Common civil hearing types
- Case management: the judge decides how the case should proceed and sets a timetable.
- Application: one side asks the court to make a specific order.
- Possession hearing: the court decides whether a landlord or lender can take back a property.
- Small claims hearing: a less formal hearing for lower-value disputes.
- Trial: the full hearing of the evidence, followed by a decision.
- Directions hearing: a short hearing to give instructions about the next steps.
Use the court list decoder for other abbreviations.
Who may be on the bench
Civil hearings are usually heard by a district judge or circuit judge in the county court, or by a judge of the High Court for bigger or more complex cases. There is generally no jury in civil cases.
How to find your hearing
- Check your court letter for the claim number, court and time.
- Open the official service and look for your court’s civil list.
- Look for your claim number and the courtroom.
- On the day, check the screens in the building.
Read finding your courtroom for tips on arrival.
Are civil hearings public?
Many are open to the public, in line with the principle of open justice. Some are held in private, for example when children or confidential information are involved. If you want to watch one, our public gallery guide explains the rules, and the court can tell you if a hearing is private.
What if I cannot find my case?
Lists can be late or incomplete, and some hearings are not published. Do not assume that a hearing has been cancelled. Follow your court letter and ask the court. See when are court lists published?.
Finding the right court
County courts and High Court venues are listed in our County Courts directory and High Court directory. Use the court finder to search by name, town or postcode.
What this site covers
Our site focuses on Crown Court and magistrates’ court lists. We do not show civil, family or tribunal lists, and we never show names from them. You can still use this page to understand the terms, and the official service for the list itself. Read how we get our lists.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'cause' mean?
It is an old legal word for a case or claim. A cause list is simply a list of cases to be heard.
What is the difference between civil and criminal cases?
Criminal cases are brought by the state against someone accused of a crime. Civil cases are disputes between people or organisations, usually about money, property, contracts or rights.
Why does this site not show civil lists?
We focus on Crown Court and magistrates' court lists. Civil lists often name the parties, and we do not republish names. Use the official service for civil lists.
Can I watch a civil hearing?
Many civil hearings are open to the public, but some are held in private. Ask the court, and check the list or your paperwork.