Courts in South East

Short answer: The South East covers a large area, so the right court may be some distance away. Courts are spread across towns in Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. Check the building on your letter, and plan your journey, because rail and road routes can be busy.

Courts in South East at a glance

Type of court	Venues
County Court	19
Crown Court	4
Family Court	7
Magistrates' Court	12
Tribunal	2

Crown Courts in South East

Aylesbury Crown Court · HP21 7FT
Chichester Nightingale Crown Court · PO19 1SX
Guildford Crown Court · GU1 4ST
Reading Crown Court · RG1 3EH

Courts across the South East

The South East of England stretches from the Kent coast to the Thames Valley and the Hampshire coast. Its courts sit in market towns and cities, many of them close to London. You will find Crown Courts, magistrates’ courts, county courts, family courts and tribunals across the region.

Finding the right building

Counties in the South East have several court buildings, and some towns have more than one. The court that deals with your case depends on where the matter arose and on the type of case, so use the address on your letter rather than assuming the nearest court. The court finder can help you check an address.

Types of court in the region

Court type	What it handles
Crown Courts	Serious criminal cases and sentencing
Magistrates’ courts	Less serious criminal cases
County courts	Civil disputes, such as debts and housing
Family courts	Children, protection and money after separation
Tribunals	Specialist disputes, such as employment

Travelling to court

By train: many towns have a station, and some courts are a short walk away.
By road: parking can be limited in town centres, so check before you travel.
Commuter traffic: peak times on major roads can be slow, so leave extra time.
By bus: the final part of the journey may be easiest on local buses.

Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes early for security. Use the hearing day planner to set a reminder.

Preparing for your visit

Read the guide that matches your situation: defendants, witnesses, victims of crime or visitors. Our security checks guide explains what to bring.

Places and counties covered

The region covers Kent, Surrey, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight. Towns such as Reading, Guildford, Aylesbury and Chichester have Crown Courts in our directory, and there are magistrates’ and county courts in many other towns. Counties on the London fringe often share services with the capital, and some people travel across the boundary, so always check the address on your letter.

Practical tips for the South East

Check the station and the walk. Some courts are a short walk from the station, others are a bus ride away.
Use park-and-ride where it is available, because town-centre parking can be full by mid-morning.
Allow for school-run and commuter traffic if you are driving at peak times.
Tell the court early if a rail strike or major disruption could affect your journey.

Hearing lists

Court pages show the latest published Crown Court and magistrates’ court lists. See what the Crown Daily List shows and how the Magistrates Public List works. The official service is the authority.

All 44 venues in South East

Frequently asked questions

Which court is nearest to me?

Use the court finder to search by town or postcode, but always follow the address on your letter, because the court that hears your case may not be the nearest one.

Can I travel to court by train?

Many South East courts are close to a railway station, but not all. Check your court's page for the postcode and plan your route in advance.

Are there Crown Courts in the South East?

Yes. The list above shows those in our directory, and there are magistrates' and county courts in many towns.