Reading Magistrates’ Court Listings

Reading Magistrates' Court and Family Court serves as the primary magistrates' hearing centre for the Royal Borough of Reading and the wider Berkshire area. Situated in the heart of the town at Castle Street, Reading RG1 7TQ, the court handles hundreds of cases each week — from motoring offences and minor criminal matters to more serious either-way offences before they are committed to the Crown Court.

Today's Court Listings for Reading Magistrates' Court

Daily hearing lists for Reading Magistrates' Court are published each working day for the following day's proceedings. Monday lists are made available on the preceding Friday. Each published list contains the defendant's full name, the prosecuting authority (such as Thames Valley Police or the Crown Prosecution Service), the allocated courtroom, the scheduled hearing time, and the unique case reference number. Cases involving youth defendants or those held in overnight custody are not included in the public listing — you may contact the court directly for information on those matters.

The court operates Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, with telephone enquiries also handled during those hours. For general magistrates' court enquiries, call 03308 084 407 (Monday to Friday, 8:30am–5pm; Saturday 8am–2pm) or email [email protected]. For Single Justice Procedure cases, contact the dedicated centre on 0300 303 0656.

About Reading Magistrates' Court

Reading Magistrates' Court has served the Berkshire community for generations, operating from its current hearing centre on Castle Street in central Reading — easily accessible by public transport from Reading Railway Station, which is approximately a 10-minute walk. The court also incorporates the Reading Family Court, handling matters such as child arrangements and protective injunctions.

How to Get There

• Address: Castle Street, Reading, RG1 7TQ
• By Train: Reading Station is served by GWR, South Western Railway, and CrossCountry — approximately a 10-minute walk to the court via Friar Street or the IDR underpass
• By Bus: Multiple First Berkshire and Reading Buses routes stop along Broad Street and Friar Street, within walking distance
• By Car: The court is near the Inner Distribution Road (IDR); on-street and multi-storey parking is available nearby at Garrard Street and Broad Street Mall car parks

Types of Cases Heard at Reading Magistrates' Court

Reading Magistrates' Court deals with a broad spectrum of criminal and civil matters serving Berkshire's population of over 900,000 residents. Magistrates — who are trained lay justices — sit regularly to hear cases, supported by qualified legal advisers. The court also sits with District Judges for more complex or time-sensitive hearings.

Cases Commonly Listed

• Summary offences — including road traffic violations, minor assault, and public order offences; tried and sentenced here without a jury
• Either-way offences — such as theft, fraud, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm; heard here or sent to Reading Crown Court depending on the seriousness
• First hearings and remand proceedings — all defendants appearing in Berkshire for the first time come before the magistrates, including bail applications and early guilty pleas
• Single Justice Procedure cases — TV licence evasion, minor motoring offences, and similar matters dealt with by a single magistrate on the papers, without a defendant needing to attend
• Family court matters — child arrangements, non-molestation orders, and care proceedings under the Family Court jurisdiction

Reading, Berkshire — Court Jurisdiction and Local Context

Reading is the county town of Berkshire and one of the fastest-growing towns in the South East of England, with a population exceeding 230,000 in the urban area. The town's magistrates' court serves not only Reading itself but also covers cases arising across a large swathe of West Berkshire, including areas such as Earley, Woodley, Tilehurst, and Caversham. The court works closely with Thames Valley Police, whose Reading Area Command is headquartered locally, as well as the Crown Prosecution Service South East. For more serious criminal proceedings committed to higher jurisdiction, cases transfer to Reading Crown Court, which sits within the same Berkshire justice cluster.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find the Reading Magistrates' Court hearing list for today?

Daily listings are updated each working day. You can access the published hearing list through the public listings service. Lists show defendant names, hearing times, courtrooms, and case numbers for the day's proceedings at Castle Street, Reading RG1 7TQ.

Can members of the public attend hearings at Reading Magistrates' Court?

Yes. Magistrates' courts are open courts and most hearings can be observed by members of the public. Arrive at the court building on Castle Street, pass through the security screening, and ask at reception which courtrooms have magistrates (not District Judges) sitting that day.

What is the phone number for Reading Magistrates' Court?

For magistrates' court enquiries, call 03308 084 407 (Monday to Friday, 8:30am–5pm; Saturday 8am–2pm). For Single Justice Procedure cases, call 0300 303 0656.

What is the difference between Reading Magistrates' Court and Reading Crown Court?

The magistrates' court handles less serious summary offences and the initial hearings for all criminal cases. More serious indictable and either-way offences that require a jury trial, or carry heavier sentencing powers, are sent up to Reading Crown Court. Both courts serve the Berkshire area.

Are youth cases listed in the public hearing list?

No. Due to legal protections for young defendants, cases involving under-18s are not included in the publicly published hearing lists. Contact the court directly on 03308 084 407 for information about youth proceedings.