Scarborough Magistrates’ Court Listings

About Scarborough Magistrates Court (Scarborough Justice Centre)

Scarborough Magistrates Court, officially known as Scarborough Justice Centre, is the primary magistrates' court serving the town of Scarborough and the surrounding North Yorkshire coastline. Located on Northway in the heart of Scarborough's legal district, this court has long served as the foundation of justice for one of England's most historically significant seaside towns — a place with roots stretching back to the Viking settlement of Skarðaborg in the 10th century. The court building today sits within easy reach of Scarborough town centre, handling a broad range of criminal, civil, and family proceedings for residents across the YO12 postcode and beyond.

Daily Court Listings at Scarborough Justice Centre

The daily magistrates court listings for Scarborough cover cases scheduled before the local bench, including first hearings, trials, guilty pleas, sentencing, and Single Justice Procedure cases. Listings are typically published at the end of each working day for the following court day, with Monday listings (and Saturday listings where applicable) published on the preceding Friday. Cases heard at Scarborough Magistrates Court include:

• Summary offences such as speeding, minor assaults, and motoring matters
• Either-way offences including theft, fraud, and drug possession
• Bail applications and remand hearings
• Domestic violence protection orders
• TV licence and council tax non-payment hearings
• Civil recovery and fine enforcement proceedings
• Family court and civil jurisdiction matters

If you are looking for today's case schedule, listings refresh daily on working days. For urgent queries, you can contact the Scarborough Justice Centre directly via the Courts and Tribunals Service Centre on 0330 808 4407 (Monday–Friday, 8:30am–5pm; Saturday, 8am–2pm).

Scarborough Justice Centre — Contact & Opening Hours

• Address: The Law Courts, Northway, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO12 7AE
• Court open: Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm
• Counter service: By appointment only, 10am to 2pm (emergency applications accepted outside these times)
• Magistrates' Court enquiries: [email protected]
• Phone (Magistrates): 0330 808 4407
• Fine payments: 0300 790 9901
• Civil & Family enquiries: [email protected]
• Breathing Space enquiries: [email protected]
• DX: 65140 Scarborough 2 | Magistrates' Court location code: 2536

Getting to Scarborough Justice Centre

Scarborough Justice Centre on Northway is conveniently accessible from across the town and surrounding areas. Scarborough railway station, located on the Transpennine Express and Northern Rail network, is approximately a 10-minute walk from the court — making it easy to attend from York, Leeds, Hull, and other parts of North Yorkshire. Local bus services operated by Arriva Yorkshire and East Yorkshire Motor Services run along Northway and nearby routes. Limited public car parks are available near the court, including along Northway and adjacent streets. If you have a disability and require assistance attending a hearing, contact the court in advance on 0330 808 4407.

What Happens at Scarborough Magistrates Court?

Scarborough Magistrates Court sits as part of the North and West Yorkshire magistracy, handling the full range of summary and either-way criminal proceedings for residents of Scarborough, Whitby, Filey, Bridlington, and surrounding coastal North Yorkshire communities. The court also handles Single Justice Procedure (SJP) cases — administrative matters such as TV licence non-payment and minor motoring offences — which are determined by a single magistrate without a public hearing. Civil and family work, including possession claims and domestic matters, is managed through the co-located county court jurisdiction at the same address.

For cases that exceed the sentencing powers of the magistrates' bench (cases carrying sentences of more than 6 months imprisonment, or either-way matters committed for trial or sentence), defendants are sent to Harrogate Magistrates Court or referred to the Crown Court. York Crown Court is the nearest Crown Court venue for Scarborough cases committed upwards.

Frequently Asked Questions — Scarborough Magistrates Court

How do I find out if I have a case listed at Scarborough Magistrates Court today?

Daily listings for Scarborough Justice Centre are published on this page each working day. You can also contact the court directly on 0330 808 4407 or email [email protected] to confirm whether a case is listed on a particular date.

Can members of the public attend hearings at Scarborough Magistrates Court?

Yes. Magistrates' court hearings are generally open to the public unless the court makes a specific order to the contrary (e.g. in youth court or family proceedings). You are welcome to attend as an observer at Scarborough Justice Centre during court opening hours (9am–4pm, Monday to Friday).

What is a Single Justice Procedure (SJP) case?

A Single Justice Procedure case is a non-imprisonable offence — such as a speeding ticket or TV licence non-payment — dealt with by a single magistrate on the papers, without the defendant needing to appear in court. These cases appear in the published listings but are not open to public observation in the same way as ordinary hearings.

What should I do if I receive a court summons from Scarborough Magistrates Court?

Read the summons carefully for the date, time, and courtroom details. If you need legal advice, contact a solicitor as soon as possible. If you are unable to attend due to illness or another emergency, contact the court on 0330 808 4407 before the hearing date. You may also be eligible for free advice through Citizens Advice on 0300 332 1000.

Are Scarborough Magistrates Court listings available for nearby courts too?

Yes. For nearby courts, you can also view listings for York Magistrates Court, which covers neighbouring North Yorkshire areas.