Oxford and S. Oxfordshire Magistrates’ Court Listings

Oxford and South Oxfordshire Magistrates Court: Daily Listings & Hearing Schedule

Oxford and South Oxfordshire Magistrates Court — formally known as The Court House on Speedwell Street, Oxford — is one of the busiest magistrates' courts in the Thames Valley region. Serving the city of Oxford and the wider South Oxfordshire district, including towns such as Abingdon-on-Thames, Didcot, Henley-on-Thames, and Wallingford, the court handles a significant volume of criminal cases, civil proceedings, and regulatory matters every weekday. This page provides access to the latest daily listings so defendants, legal representatives, journalists, and members of the public can check scheduled hearings quickly and conveniently.

About Oxford and South Oxfordshire Magistrates Court

Located in the historic city of Oxford in Oxfordshire, The Court House on Speedwell Street (OX1 1RZ) sits close to the city centre and is easily accessible via Oxford railway station, which is roughly a 10-minute walk away. Oxford has been a centre of legal administration for centuries, and the magistrates' court today continues that tradition by processing the majority of criminal cases in the county — from motoring offences and minor theft to more serious matters committed for trial at Oxford Crown Court.

• Address: The Court House, Speedwell Street, Oxford, OX1 1RZ
• Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm (counter closes 4:30pm; Fridays 4:00pm)
• General Enquiries: 03308 084 407 (Monday–Friday 8:30am–5:00pm; Saturday 8:00am–2:00pm)
• Single Justice Service: 0300 303 0656
• Fine Payments: 01869 853290 / 0300 790 9901
• Witness Service: 0300 332 1000
• Email (Local Admin): [email protected]
• Email (General Enquiries): [email protected]

Types of Cases Heard at Oxford Magistrates Court

As with all magistrates' courts in England and Wales, Oxford and South Oxfordshire Magistrates Court deals with the full spectrum of summary offences and either-way offences. The court's daily listings typically include:

• Summary offences – speeding, driving without insurance, minor assault, TV licence evasion, and public order offences
• Either-way offences – theft, drug possession, low-level fraud, and criminal damage, which may be committed to Oxford Crown Court if the case warrants it
• Remand hearings – first appearances and bail applications for defendants charged with indictable offences
• Single Justice Procedure (SJP) cases – handled by a single magistrate, typically covering road traffic offences and minor regulatory breaches
• Youth court – cases involving defendants under 18 years of age from Oxford and the surrounding South Oxfordshire area
• Family proceedings – emergency protection orders and related family matters

How to Access Oxford and South Oxfordshire Magistrates Court Listings

Daily listings for Oxford and South Oxfordshire Magistrates Court are published on weekday evenings for the following day's hearings. Monday's listings (and Saturday's where applicable) are made available on Fridays. Each listing typically shows the defendant's full name, the prosecuting authority (such as Thames Valley Police or the DVLA), the scheduled hearing time, and the case reference number. This supports open justice and allows victims, witnesses, solicitors, and journalists to plan attendance accordingly.

If you are due to appear in court, it is advisable to arrive at The Court House at least 30 minutes before your listed time. The building is accessible from Speedwell Street in Oxford city centre. Parking in central Oxford is limited; the nearest options include the Westgate Oxford multi-storey car park or Park & Ride services from the outskirts of the city. Oxford rail station (served by Great Western Railway and Chiltern Railways) offers direct connections from London Paddington, Birmingham, and Reading, making travel straightforward for those coming from across the South Oxfordshire area or further afield.

South Oxfordshire: Jurisdictional Coverage

South Oxfordshire is a district covering a large swathe of rural and semi-rural Oxfordshire lying south of the city, bordered by the River Thames to the south and east. Key towns within the court's catchment area include:

• Abingdon-on-Thames – the historic county town of Berkshire and now part of the Vale of White Horse, immediately south of Oxford
• Didcot – a major railway junction town and growing residential area in South Oxfordshire
• Henley-on-Thames – well known for the Royal Regatta and situated on the Thames border with Berkshire
• Wallingford – a market town with a historic castle site, on the River Thames
• Thame – a market town in the Chilterns foothills in east Oxfordshire

Cases involving defendants from all of these areas, as well as the villages across the South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse districts, are routinely listed at Oxford Magistrates Court. Solicitors and barristers from chambers across the region — including those operating from Oxford, Reading, and London — regularly appear before the bench here.

Frequently Asked Questions – Oxford Magistrates Court

What time do Oxford Magistrates Court hearings start?

Most hearings at Oxford and South Oxfordshire Magistrates Court begin at 10:00am, though some listings — particularly remand courts or courts with heavy schedules — may start at 9:30am. Always check your specific listing time on your summons or bail conditions.

Can I attend Oxford Magistrates Court as a member of the public?

Yes. Magistrates' courts in England and Wales are open to the public as part of the principle of open justice. You can attend hearings at The Court House, Speedwell Street, Oxford without prior arrangement, except for youth court proceedings and certain family matters which are held in private.

What happens if my case is committed to Oxford Crown Court?

If the magistrates decide your case is too serious to be dealt with summarily, it will be sent or committed to Oxford Crown Court for trial or sentencing. Oxford Crown Court is located at St Aldates, Oxford (OX1 1TL), close to the magistrates' court.

How do I pay a fine imposed at Oxford Magistrates Court?

Fines can be paid by phone on 01869 853290 or 0300 790 9901, both available from 9:00am to 5:00pm. Online payment may also be available via the GOV.UK fines payment service. If you are struggling to pay, contact the court as soon as possible to discuss a payment plan before enforcement action is taken.

Is Oxford Magistrates Court the same as Oxford and South Oxfordshire Magistrates Court?

Yes. The court is officially referred to as Oxford and Southern Oxfordshire Magistrates Court and sits at The Court House, Speedwell Street. It covers both Oxford city and the broader South Oxfordshire district. You may also see it listed as Oxford Magistrates Court in some official communications.