Courts in East Midlands

Short answer: The East Midlands has Crown Courts in Nottingham, Leicester and Lincoln, plus magistrates' courts, county courts and tribunals across Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Nottinghamshire. Check the building on your letter, and allow longer for journeys in rural Lincolnshire.

Courts in East Midlands at a glance

Type of court	Venues
County Court	7
Crown Court	3
Family Court	2
Magistrates' Court	5
Tribunal	2

Crown Courts in East Midlands

Courts in the East Midlands

The East Midlands includes cities such as Nottingham, Leicester and Derby, historic Lincoln and a large rural area in Lincolnshire. Its courts range from big city buildings to small town courts. You will find Crown Courts, magistrates’ courts, county courts, family courts and tribunals across the region.

Where to find each type of court

Type	Where to look
Crown Courts	Serious criminal cases, including those in Nottingham, Leicester and Lincoln
Magistrates’ courts	Local criminal hearings in many towns
County courts	Civil disputes in larger towns
Family courts	Children and family matters
Tribunals	Specialist disputes such as employment

City courts and rural courts

City courts, such as those in Nottingham and Leicester, are close to public transport but can be busy, with long security queues at peak times. Courts in smaller towns are quieter, but they may be harder to reach without a car. Whichever you are visiting:

Check your letter for the building and the entrance.
Look at train and bus options, and check parking.
Aim to arrive 30 to 45 minutes early.
Bring photo ID and your paperwork.

Preparing for the day

Our guides explain what to expect. Start with what to expect at a magistrates’ court or what to expect at a Crown Court. To plan your day, use the hearing day planner. If you cannot find your case on a list, read why isn’t my case listed?.

Watching a hearing

Most criminal hearings are open to the public. Read the public gallery guide for the rules, and arrive early at busy courts.

Places and counties covered

The region includes Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire and Rutland. Crown Courts in our directory sit in Nottingham, Leicester and Lincoln, and magistrates’ and county courts serve towns such as Derby, Northampton, Mansfield and Grantham. Lincolnshire is large and sparsely populated, and the journey to a court can take much longer than the distance suggests.

Practical tips for the East Midlands

Check which court covers your area, because county boundaries do not always match court areas.
Plan your return, because some bus routes stop running early in the evening.
Allow for market-day traffic in smaller towns.
Do not assume you can attend remotely. Only join by video if the court has told you it is an option.

Hearing lists

Court pages show the latest lists for Crown Courts and magistrates’ courts. See how to read the Crown Daily List and the Magistrates Public List.

All 19 venues in East Midlands

County Court

Chesterfield Justice Centre · S41 7TW
Derby Combined Court Centre · DE1 2XE
Leicester County Court and Family Court · LE1 6HG
Lincoln County Court and Family Court · LN5 7PS
Mansfield Magistrates' and County Court · NG19 6EE
Northampton Crown, County and Family Court · NN1 3HQ
Nottingham County Court and Family Court · NG1 7EJ

Crown Court

Frequently asked questions

Where are the Crown Courts in the East Midlands?

Our directory lists Crown Courts in Nottingham, Leicester and Lincoln. Check your letter for the exact court.

How long might I travel to reach a court?

It depends where you live. In rural parts of Lincolnshire, journeys can be long, so plan ahead and check public transport options.

Can I find my hearing on a list?

For Crown and magistrates' courts, open the court's page to see the latest published list, or search by case reference.