Southampton Crown Court Listings

Southampton Crown Court Listings

Southampton Crown Court sits within the Southampton Combined Court Centre on London Road, one of the busiest Crown Court venues in Hampshire. The court handles serious criminal cases committed from across the Southampton, Eastleigh, New Forest and wider South Hampshire region, including trials for offences such as murder, robbery, sexual offences, serious fraud, drug trafficking and grievous bodily harm. Daily listings are published each morning and typically cover proceedings across multiple courtrooms, with hearings running from 10:00 am through to approximately 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday.

Court Location, Building and Contact Details

Southampton Crown Court is located at The Courts of Justice, London Road, Southampton, SO15 2XQ. The building was designed by Broadway Malyan and opened in 1986, replacing the former court facilities that had operated from the west wing of Southampton Civic Centre since 1933. Before that, criminal assizes in Southampton were heard at the medieval Bargate on the High Street. Today the modernist building houses both Crown Court and County Court functions under one roof, with the Crown Court occupying the upper floors. The court office telephone number is 02380 213200, and email enquiries can be directed to [email protected]. The building is open Monday to Friday from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm, with phone enquiries answered between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm.

Getting to Southampton Crown Court

The court is situated on London Road, approximately a 15-minute walk north of Southampton Central railway station. Regular bus services along London Road and The Avenue stop within a short walk of the entrance. If you are driving, there is no public parking on site. The nearest pay-and-display car park is on Ordnance Road, around a two-minute walk from the court building. Council-run car parks at Grosvenor Square and Bedford Place are also within a 10-minute walk. Disabled parking can be arranged in advance by contacting the court office on 02380 213200. For those arriving by train from Portsmouth, Bournemouth or Winchester, Southampton Central provides direct rail links with frequent services throughout the day.

Facilities and Accessibility

Southampton Combined Court Centre provides a range of facilities for court users, legal professionals and visitors. The building has full disabled access and accessible toilet facilities on every floor. Loop hearing systems are installed in all courtrooms and hearing rooms. Guide dogs and assistance dogs are welcome, and Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyards are available on request. There are seven interview rooms across the building — three on the upper floor and four within the dedicated family suite. A private baby changing and feeding room is also available. The Flying Aubergine Café on the ground floor serves refreshments from 9:30 am to 2:00 pm. Free Wi-Fi is accessible throughout the building, and Prison Video Link booths are available for remote hearings and legal conferences.

Types of Cases Heard at Southampton Crown Court

As a Tier 2 Crown Court centre, Southampton handles a wide range of indictable and either-way offences committed for trial or sentence from local magistrates' courts, including West Hampshire Magistrates' Court. Case types regularly listed at Southampton include serious violent crime, sexual offences, large-scale drug supply conspiracies, complex fraud, burglary, firearms offences and motoring cases involving death or serious injury. The court also conducts sentencing hearings, appeals against conviction or sentence from the magistrates' court, and confiscation proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act. Jury trials at Southampton typically sit across multiple courtrooms, with a Resident Judge overseeing case management and allocation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find today's listings for Southampton Crown Court?

Daily court listings for Southampton Crown Court are published each morning via the XHIBIT system and updated in real time as hearings progress throughout the day. You can check the latest schedule on this page for a full breakdown of listed cases, courtroom numbers and hearing times.

Can members of the public attend hearings at Southampton Crown Court?

Yes. Crown Court hearings in England and Wales are generally open to the public and accredited press unless a judge orders reporting restrictions or a hearing to be held in private. Visitors must pass through security screening at the entrance, and mobile phones should be switched to silent before entering a courtroom.

What should I bring if I have been summoned for jury service at Southampton?

You should bring your jury summons letter, a form of photo identification, and any documentation confirming a request for deferral or excusal. Jurors report to the jury assembly area on the ground floor and should arrive by 9:15 am on their first day. Lunch and refreshment facilities are available within the building.

Is there a dress code for attending Southampton Crown Court?

There is no formal dress code for attending court as a member of the public, witness or defendant. However, smart and respectful attire is recommended. Hats, sunglasses and clothing displaying offensive slogans are not permitted in the courtroom.