Crown Daily List explained: how to read it
Short answer: The Crown Daily List is the court's timetable for one day. It shows which cases the Crown Court expects to hear, in which courtroom and roughly when. Find your case by its reference number, remember that times are estimates, and check the list again on the morning of your hearing.
Walk into a Crown Court and you will see a screen or board with rows of times, rooms and numbers. That is the daily list, and once you know how to read it, it is the quickest way to find your hearing. This page explains what the Crown Daily List is, what each part means and what to do if you cannot find your case.
What the Crown Daily List is
The Crown Court is where the most serious criminal cases in England and Wales are heard. Each day, the court produces a list of the hearings it plans to deal with, grouped by courtroom. That is the Crown Daily List. It is published by HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) through the official Court and Tribunal Hearings service, and the same information is usually displayed inside the building.
It answers three practical questions: where is my hearing, roughly when, and what kind of hearing is it?
Who uses it
- Defendants and witnesses who need to find their courtroom.
- Family and supporters deciding where to go.
- Members of the public who would like to watch a hearing.
- Journalists and students following a case.
What the columns mean
Different courts show slightly different columns, but you will normally see the following.
| Column | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Court or courtroom | The building and room where the hearing is expected to take place |
| Time | When the court expects to sit, which is an estimate and not a guarantee |
| Case reference | A number that identifies the case. Quote it when you contact the court |
| Hearing type | What is happening, for example a plea hearing, sentence or trial |
| Judge | Who is expected to hear the case, where shown |
| Prosecuting authority | The body bringing the case, often the Crown Prosecution Service |
Paste a line into our court list decoder if a phrase is unclear.
A made-up example
This example is invented to show the layout. It does not describe a real case.
| Courtroom | Time | Case reference | Hearing type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Court 3 | 10:00 | AB1234567 | Plea and trial preparation hearing |
| Court 3 | 11:30 | CD7654321 | Sentence |
| Court 5 | 10:00 | EF1122334 | Trial |
Reading across the first row: the hearing is in Court 3, the court expects to start at ten o’clock, the case has that reference and it is a hearing where the defendant is asked how they plead and a trial timetable is set.
How to find your case
- Copy your case reference from your court letter.
- Open your court’s page on this site, or use the official list link.
- Look for the reference, rather than a name.
- Note the courtroom and time.
- On arrival, check the screens in the building too, because they may be more up to date.
You can also search every list by case reference.
Times are estimates
A single courtroom often has several cases listed at the same time. The court deals with them one by one, so some people wait. Lawyers may need time with clients, papers may arrive late, and earlier hearings may overrun. Plan to stay for the day unless you are told otherwise, and do not leave without telling the usher or your solicitor.
How it differs from other Crown Court lists
The daily list shows what the court expects to hear today. Cases with fixed dates in the future appear on the Crown Firm List, and cases that may be called on at short notice appear on the Crown Warned List. A case can appear on more than one list over its life.
Names, privacy and what we show
This site shows only the allowed columns from public lists. We never store or show defendants’ first names: a defendant appears as ****** SURNAME where the list gives a readable surname, and cases with reporting restrictions stay fully masked. We skip youth and restricted hearings, and we remove entries on request. See how we get our lists for details. The official service remains the authority, so confirm anything important there.
If you cannot find your case
Do not assume the hearing is off. Read why isn’t my case listed?, follow your court letter and contact the court or your solicitor. For the timing of lists, see when are court lists published?.
Plan your visit
To check a court’s address and today’s list, browse the Crown Courts directory. Read what to expect at a Crown Court and finding your courtroom before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my case not on the Crown Daily List?
The list may not be published yet, your case may be on a different list such as the firm or warned list, or the hearing may be private. Check your court letter and contact the court if you are unsure.
Is the time on the list when my case will start?
No. It is the time the court expects to sit. Earlier cases can overrun, so your case may be called later, and sometimes earlier. Arrive in good time and stay close to the courtroom.
Can the list change on the day?
Yes. Cases can be added, moved to another courtroom, delayed or taken off the list at short notice. Check the screens in the building and ask the usher.
Does the list show defendants' names?
On this website, no. We show a masked entry and use the case reference instead. The official service decides what it shows, so check it for the full picture.