Courts in South West

Short answer: The South West stretches from Gloucestershire to Cornwall, so the right court can be a long way from home. Bristol and Gloucester have Crown Courts in our directory, with magistrates' and county courts across the region. Check the address on your letter and plan your journey early.

Courts in South West at a glance

Type of court	Venues
County Court	14
Crown Court	2
Magistrates' Court	9
Tribunal	2

Crown Courts in South West

Bristol Crown Court · BS1 1DA
Gloucester Crown Court · GL1 2TS

Courts in the South West

The South West is England’s largest region by area. It runs from Gloucestershire and Wiltshire to Devon and Cornwall, and includes the cities of Bristol, Exeter and Plymouth. Because of the size of the region, courts are spread widely, and many people travel a good distance to reach theirs.

Types of court in the region

Type	What it handles
Crown Courts	Serious criminal cases
Magistrates’ courts	Local criminal cases
County courts	Civil disputes
Tribunals	Employment, benefits and other specialist matters

Travelling long distances

If your court is far away:

Check how you will get there, and look at train and bus timetables.
Consider travelling the night before for an early start.
Check parking, and whether the town is busy on market days.
Leave extra time for rural roads and summer traffic.
Phone the court if you will be delayed.

Our hearing day planner helps you work out when to leave.

Support and costs

Witnesses may be able to claim travel expenses, so ask the witness care unit before you travel and keep receipts. See attending court as a witness. Defendants should read going to court as a defendant.

What to expect

Smaller courts can be quiet, while Bristol is busy. Whatever the size, everyone goes through security. Read security checks at court and finding your courtroom.

Places and counties covered

The region covers Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Somerset, Dorset, Devon, Cornwall and the city of Bristol. Our directory lists Crown Courts in Bristol and Gloucester, and there are magistrates’ and county courts in towns such as Exeter, Plymouth, Taunton, Truro and Salisbury. Journeys from Cornwall or west Devon to a court in another county can take several hours.

Practical tips for the South West

Holiday traffic can slow roads in summer, so leave a margin.
Rail links are limited in some areas, so check connections.
Book accommodation early if you need to stay overnight.
Keep copies of your expenses, if you are a witness, because long journeys cost more.

Hearing lists

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

All 27 venues in South West

Frequently asked questions

How far might I need to travel?

The South West covers a large area, and journeys to court can be long, especially in Devon and Cornwall. Check your route and timings early.

Which Crown Courts are in your directory?

The list above shows the Crown Courts in our directory for this region, including Bristol and Gloucester.

What if I cannot get to court?

Contact the court named on your paperwork and your solicitor as early as you can. Do not simply stay away.