Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court Listings

About Sevenoaks Magistrates' Court and Family Court

Sevenoaks Magistrates' Court and Family Court is located at The Courthouse, Morewood Close, London Road, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 2HU. Serving the Sevenoaks district in west Kent — an area home to approximately 122,000 residents — this active court handles a wide range of criminal and family matters for communities across Sevenoaks, Swanley, Edenbridge, Westerham, and the surrounding villages. The court operates under HMCTS (His Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service) and forms part of the Kent magistrates' court network alongside nearby courts such as Maidstone Magistrates' Court.

Types of Cases Heard at Sevenoaks Magistrates' Court

As a magistrates' court and family court, Sevenoaks handles both criminal proceedings and family law matters. On the criminal side, cases typically include summary offences such as drink driving, assault, theft, public order offences, and motoring violations. Either-way offences such as burglary and actual bodily harm (ABH) may also have initial hearings here before being committed to the Crown Court if necessary. The court also processes cases under the Single Justice Procedure, which covers lower-level offences like TV licence evasion and minor road traffic matters dealt with by a single magistrate on paper.

The family court division at Sevenoaks deals with proceedings relating to adoption, childcare arrangements following separation, divorce hearings, and domestic abuse protection orders. If your case involves a more serious indictable offence, Sevenoaks Magistrates' Court will conduct the initial hearing before transferring it to a Crown Court such as Maidstone.

Opening Hours and Contact Details

Sevenoaks Magistrates' Court is open for hearings Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm. Telephone enquiries can be made through the Courts and Tribunals Service Centre on 03308 084 407 (Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm; Saturday, 8:00am to 2:00pm). For Single Justice Procedure queries, call 0300 303 0656 (Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm). Fines and enforcement matters should be directed to 0300 123 9252. Written correspondence for magistrates' court cases should be sent to Medway Magistrates' Court Hearing Centre, The Courthouse, The Brook, Chatham, ME4 4JZ, while family court correspondence goes to HMCTS Main Entrance, Gun Wharf, Chatham, ME4 4AR.

How to Get to Sevenoaks Magistrates' Court

The courthouse is situated on Morewood Close, just off London Road (A224) in the centre of Sevenoaks. There is no public parking on site, but several pay-and-display car parks are located within short walking distance, including the Blighs Meadow and Buckhurst Lane car parks. Sevenoaks railway station is approximately a 10-minute walk from the court and is served by Southeastern trains running regular services from London Charing Cross, London Bridge, and Tonbridge. Local bus routes also stop along London Road near the courthouse. For those travelling from nearby areas in Kent, the court is easily accessible from the M25 (Junction 5) and the M26.

Court Facilities and Accessibility

Sevenoaks Magistrates' Court provides a range of facilities for visitors. The building has disabled access with a ramp at the entrance and a lift between the ground and first floors, along with level access into all courtrooms and hearing rooms. Accessible toilets and baby changing facilities are available. The court is part of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower network, with lanyards available on request, and assistance dogs are welcome. Hearing enhancement equipment can be arranged in advance by contacting the court. A witness service is also available on 0300 332 1000 for anyone attending to give evidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check today's court listings for Sevenoaks?

Daily hearing schedules for Sevenoaks Magistrates' Court are published on this page. Listings are updated regularly and show the cases scheduled for each sitting day. You can also contact the Courts and Tribunals Service Centre on 03308 084 407 for specific case enquiries.

What should I do if I receive a Single Justice Procedure notice from Sevenoaks?

A Single Justice Procedure notice means your case will be considered by a single magistrate based on paperwork alone, without you needing to attend court. You should respond by the date stated on the notice, entering your plea and providing any information you want the magistrate to consider. Contact the Single Justice Service Centre on 0300 303 0656 or email [email protected] if you have questions.

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

Yes. Magistrates' court hearings in England and Wales are generally open to the public, though certain family proceedings and cases involving vulnerable witnesses may be held in private. Visitors should arrive before the listed hearing time and follow the directions of court staff and security upon entry.

Where do more serious cases from Sevenoaks go?

Indictable-only offences and some either-way offences are sent from Sevenoaks Magistrates' Court to the Crown Court for trial or sentencing. Cases from the Sevenoaks area are typically transferred to Maidstone Crown Court. You can also check listings for nearby courts such as Bromley Magistrates' Court if your case is redirected within the region.