Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court Listings

Today's Court Listings at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court

Chelmsford Magistrates' Court, located at 10 New Street, Chelmsford CM1 1NT, publishes daily court listings covering criminal, youth, and family proceedings across Essex. The court sits Monday to Friday, opening at 9am and continuing until the close of court business. Listings are typically available from the morning of each sitting day, and schedules may be amended at short notice due to case adjournments, early guilty pleas, or late additions to the cause list. If you need to confirm whether a specific hearing is going ahead, contact the Courts and Tribunals Service Centre on 03308 084 407 (Monday to Friday, 8:30am–5pm; Saturday, 8am–2pm).

Types of Cases Heard at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court

Chelmsford Magistrates' Court handles a wide range of summary and either-way offences for the Chelmsford and mid-Essex area. Criminal matters regularly listed include assault, theft, criminal damage, drug possession, motoring offences such as drink-driving and driving without insurance, public order offences, and breaches of community orders. The court also processes Single Justice Procedure cases — low-level offences like TV licence evasion and minor road traffic matters — which are dealt with by a single magistrate on paper without requiring the defendant to attend.

As a combined Magistrates' Court and Family Court, the Chelmsford venue also hears family proceedings including child arrangement orders (C100 applications), adoption cases, domestic abuse protection orders, and divorce-related hearings. Youth cases involving defendants aged 10–17 are heard in dedicated youth court sessions with restricted public access.

Contact Details and Enquiries

For general magistrates' court queries, email [email protected] or call 01245 313300 between 9am and 5pm. Criminal case enquiries where your case number contains a mix of letters and numbers should be directed to [email protected]. For Single Justice Procedure cases, contact the dedicated service centre on 0300 303 0656 or email [email protected]. Family court enquiries, including C100 applications, can be sent to [email protected] or call 0344 892 4000. Written correspondence should be posted to the Court Administration Centre, P.O. Box 10754, Chelmsford CM1 9PZ. Fine payments can be made 24 hours a day via the National Payment Line on 0300 790 9901.

Getting to Chelmsford Magistrates' Court

The courthouse on New Street sits in the heart of Chelmsford city centre, making it well served by public transport. Chelmsford Railway Station is approximately a 7-minute walk and is served by Greater Anglia services, the Elizabeth line from London Liverpool Street, and the Stansted Express. The nearest bus stop — YMCA on New Street — is roughly a 3-minute walk, with routes including the 19, 300, X10, X30, and several local C-routes stopping nearby. If you are driving, the court has no dedicated car park, but several public car parks are within walking distance including High Chelmer Multi-Storey (CM1 1LU), Townfield Street (CM1 1QJ), and Waterloo Road (CM1 1BD).

Court Facilities and Accessibility

Chelmsford Magistrates' Court offers level access at the main entrance and lifts to all floors. Accessible toilets are available on each floor, and the court participates in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower scheme. Additional facilities include secure interview rooms for solicitor-client consultations, a children's room, and refreshments. The Witness Service is available on-site — contact them on 0300 332 1162 for support before or during your hearing. All visitors must pass through security screening upon entry, so allow extra time on arrival. If you have a disability and require assistance attending a hearing, call 03308 084 407 in advance to arrange support.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time do hearings start at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court?

Most hearings at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court are listed for either 9:15am or 10:00am, depending on the courtroom and case type. The court opens at 9am and proceedings typically conclude by late afternoon.

Can I attend a hearing at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court as a member of the public?

Yes. Adult criminal hearings in the magistrates' court are generally open to the public and accredited press. However, family proceedings and youth court sessions are held in private, and public seating may be limited during high-profile cases.

Where can I find Chelmsford Crown Court listings?

If your case has been committed or sent to the Crown Court, you can view daily schedules on our Chelmsford Crown Court listings page. The Crown Court building is also located on New Street, adjacent to the magistrates' court.

Which other courts cover the Essex area?

Cases from across Essex may also be listed at nearby magistrates' courts. You can check the Basildon Magistrates' Court listings for hearings covering the south Essex area, or use the search function to find your specific court location.