UK Court Listings

Courts in North West

Short answer: The North West has major courts in Manchester, Liverpool and Preston, plus many magistrates' and county courts. Manchester has two Crown Court buildings, so check the exact address on your letter before you travel. Public transport is good in the big cities and slower in rural Cumbria.

Courts in North West at a glance

Type of courtVenues
County Court10
Crown Court7
Family Court4
Magistrates' Court13
Tribunal4

Crown Courts in North West

Courts in the North West

The North West is a busy region with large cities, such as Manchester and Liverpool, and wide rural areas in Cumbria and Lancashire. Its courts include Crown Courts, magistrates’ courts, county courts, family courts and tribunals, with the heaviest workload in Greater Manchester and Merseyside.

Check the building

Manchester has two Crown Court buildings, one at Crown Square and one on Minshull Street. They deal with different cases and are in different parts of the city, so check your letter carefully. Other cities and towns in the region may have more than one court building, too.

Types of court

Type What it handles
Crown Courts Serious criminal trials and sentencing
Magistrates’ courts Less serious criminal cases
County courts Civil claims such as debts and housing
Family courts Children and family matters
Tribunals Specialist disputes

Travelling to court

  • Manchester and Liverpool: rail, tram and bus links reach most court buildings, but allow for rush-hour delays.
  • Preston, Chester, Bolton and Warrington: railway stations are usually within a short journey of the courts.
  • Cumbria and rural Lancashire: journeys can be long, so plan early.
  • By car: parking in city centres can be limited and costly.

Plan to arrive 30 to 45 minutes before your hearing for security checks. See security checks at court.

Preparing for your day

Defendants can read going to court as a defendant. Witnesses can read attending court as a witness. If you are supporting someone, see family members at court. To plan the day, use the hearing day planner.

Places and counties covered

The region covers Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Lancashire, Cheshire and Cumbria. Our directory lists Crown Courts in Bolton, Chester, Liverpool, Manchester (two buildings), Preston and Warrington, with many magistrates’ and county courts in other towns such as Blackburn, Stockport and Carlisle. Cumbria is large and rural, so some people travel a long way to reach a court.

Practical tips for the North West

  • Double-check the building in Manchester, because two Crown Court buildings are in different parts of the city.
  • Use trams and trains in Manchester and Liverpool for the quickest routes into the centre.
  • Allow for weather, since heavy rain can affect roads and rail in Cumbria.
  • Arrive early at busy city courts, where security queues form first thing.

Hearing lists

Court pages show the latest lists for Crown Courts and magistrates’ courts. Read how to use the Crown Daily List, and if you cannot find your case, see why isn’t my case listed?.

All 38 venues in North West

County Court

Crown Court

Family Court

Magistrates' Court

Tribunal

Frequently asked questions

Why are there two Crown Courts in Manchester?

Manchester has two Crown Court buildings, at Crown Square and Minshull Street. They handle different cases, so check which one is named on your letter.

Which Crown Courts are in the North West?

Our directory lists Crown Courts in Bolton, Chester, Liverpool, Manchester, Preston and Warrington.

How do I find my hearing?

Open the court's page or search by case reference. Always check the official service and the screens in the building.