Bath Magistrates’ Court Listings

About Bath Magistrates' Court

Bath Magistrates' Court is located at the Bath Law Courts on North Parade Road, Bath, Somerset, BA1 5AF. Officially known as Bath Law Courts (Civil, Family and Magistrates), this courthouse serves Bath and the wider Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES) area. The court handles a broad range of criminal and civil matters, from summary offences such as assault, theft, and public order offences to motoring cases including drink driving, speeding, and driving without insurance. It also deals with single justice procedure cases, bail applications, and preliminary hearings for indictable offences before they are sent to the Crown Court. On the civil and family side, the building handles divorce hearings, childcare arrangements, domestic abuse cases, housing disputes, money claims, and bankruptcy proceedings.

Court Opening Hours and Contact Information

Bath Magistrates' Court is open Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 4.30pm. Counter services are available by appointment only between 10.00am and 2.00pm, and telephone enquiries are answered from 9.00am to 4.00pm on weekdays. For magistrates' court criminal enquiries, you can contact the Courts and Tribunals Service Centre on 0330 808 4407, available Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.00pm and Saturday 8.00am to 2.00pm. If your query relates to a Single Justice Procedure case, the dedicated line is 0300 303 0656. General civil and family court enquiries can be directed to the National Contact Centre on 0300 123 5577. The Witness Service can be reached on 0300 332 1000 and operates from within the court building to support anyone giving evidence.

Getting to Bath Magistrates' Court

The courthouse sits on North Parade Road, a short walk from Bath city centre and close to the River Avon. There is no on-site parking at Bath Magistrates' Court. The nearest off-site option is the Bath Cricket Club car park on Manvers Street, directly across the road, which charges a fee. Bath Sports Centre car park is also nearby as an alternative. There is no on-site blue badge parking, so visitors with disabilities should contact the court in advance on 0300 123 5577 to arrange assistance. By public transport, the North Parade bus stop is roughly a three-minute walk from the court and is served by several local routes including the D1 and U1. Bath Spa railway station, operated by Great Western Railway, is approximately a 10-minute walk, making the court accessible from Bristol, Taunton, Chippenham, and other towns on the main line.

Building Facilities at Bath Law Courts

Bath Magistrates' Court provides disabled access and accessible toilet facilities throughout the building. Baby-changing facilities are available, and guide dogs are welcome. The court is equipped with hearing enhancement systems and an Electronic Presentation of Evidence (EPE) facility for use during hearings. Refreshments can be purchased from hot and cold drinks vending machines inside the building. For those needing lunch, the nearby Bath Sports Centre offers sandwiches and light meals, while a wider selection of restaurants and cafes is available in the city centre, a few minutes' walk away. The building typically operates three main courtrooms for criminal magistrates' work, although additional courtrooms may be used depending on the daily caseload.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of cases are heard at Bath Magistrates' Court?

Bath Magistrates' Court hears summary criminal offences, motoring offences, public order matters, bail applications, and youth court cases. It also handles civil and family matters including divorce, domestic abuse, housing disputes, and money claims. More serious criminal cases receive a preliminary hearing here before being committed to the Crown Court for trial. If you are looking for magistrates' court listings in the wider Somerset region, you may also find our Bristol Magistrates' Court listings or North Somerset Magistrates' Court listings useful.

How do I find out if my case is listed at Bath Magistrates' Court today?

Daily court listings for Bath Magistrates' Court are published on this page and updated regularly. Listings are sourced from the HMCTS Xhibit system and include the defendant name, courtroom allocation, and hearing time. Court schedules can change at short notice, so if your case does not appear by 5.00pm the day before, you should contact the court directly. You can also check with your solicitor or the Courts and Tribunals Service Centre for confirmation.

Can I park at Bath Magistrates' Court?

No. There is no public or blue badge parking at the court. The closest paid car park is at Bath Cricket Club on Manvers Street, opposite the courthouse. Bath Sports Centre also has a car park within walking distance. Visitors are encouraged to use public transport where possible, as Bath Spa station and several bus routes serve the area.