Thames Magistrates’ Court Listings

About Thames Magistrates' Court

Thames Magistrates' Court sits at 58 Bow Road, Bow, London, E3 4DJ — right in the heart of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, one of East London's most densely populated and diverse boroughs. The court serves communities across Tower Hamlets and the wider East London area, processing a high volume of daily criminal hearings. Its strategic location near Bow Road station and the A11 corridor makes it one of the most accessible magistrates' courts in the capital.

The court was originally established in the nineteenth century and has a long history of dealing with criminal matters in the East End of London. Records of Thames Magistrates' Court date back to 1804, and its jurisdiction once extended across a large swathe of the historic county of Middlesex. Over the decades, the court has handled everything from minor traffic offences to more complex summary and either-way criminal offences under its statutory remit.

Thames Magistrates' Court Listings & Hearing Schedule

Daily court listings for Thames Magistrates' Court are updated and published online, allowing defendants, legal professionals, witnesses, and members of the public to check which cases are being heard on any given day. Listings include the defendant's full name, the prosecuting authority (such as the Metropolitan Police or CPS), the courtroom number, the scheduled time, and the case reference number. Cases involving youths or overnight custody are typically not published in the public listings.

Cases Heard at Thames Magistrates' Court

As a magistrates' court, Thames deals exclusively with summary offences and the initial stages of either-way and indictable-only offences. Common case types include:

• Summary offences — minor theft, common assault, road traffic violations, criminal damage under £5,000, and public order offences
• Either-way offences — such as drug possession, low-level fraud, and some assault charges that may be sent up to the Crown Court
• Indictable-only hearings — first appearances and sending hearings for serious charges such as robbery, GBH, or possession with intent to supply, which are committed to the Crown Court
• Single Justice Procedure cases — TV licence evasion, minor speeding, and other road traffic or regulatory matters handled by a single magistrate without the defendant needing to appear
• Bail applications and remand hearings — including overnight custody cases from Metropolitan Police custody suites in Tower Hamlets and surrounding boroughs

Opening Times, Contact Details & Getting There

Opening Hours

• Court hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm
• Counter open: 9:00am – 11:00am and 1:30pm – 2:30pm

Contact Thames Magistrates' Court

• Address: 58 Bow Road, London, E3 4DJ
• General enquiries (Crime Customer Service Centre): 03308 084 407
• Single Justice Procedure queries: 0300 303 0656
• Fine payments: 0300 123 9252 (queries) / 0300 790 9901 (pay a fine)
• Fax: 0870 324 0220
• Email – General enquiries: [email protected]
• Email – Crime enquiries: [email protected]
• Email – Fine payments: [email protected]
• Witness service: 0300 332 1363 / [email protected]
• Court location code: 2574

How to Get to Thames Magistrates' Court

Thames Magistrates' Court is exceptionally well connected by public transport. Bow Road Underground Station (District and Hammersmith & City lines) is directly adjacent to the court on Bow Road, providing fast access from central London and across East London. Bow Church DLR station is also within easy walking distance, linking the court to Canary Wharf, Stratford, and the City. Multiple bus routes along the A11 Bow Road corridor serve the area throughout the day. For those driving, the court is accessible from the A11 and A12, with limited street parking available nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the Thames Magistrates' Court listings for today?

Daily hearing lists for Thames Magistrates' Court are published online the evening before each court day. You can view upcoming listings on this page, which are updated regularly. Monday listings (and Saturday sittings where applicable) are published on Friday evenings.

What should I do if I have been summoned to Thames Magistrates' Court?

Your court summons will state the date, time, and courtroom you are required to attend along with the alleged offence. You should arrive at 58 Bow Road, London E3 4DJ at least 15–20 minutes before your listed time. After passing through security at the entrance, report to the court counter, which is open from 9:00am to 11:00am and 1:30pm to 2:30pm. If you have a legal representative, they will meet you at the court or confirm the arrangements in advance.

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

Yes. Magistrates' courts in England and Wales are open to the public as a matter of open justice. Most adult criminal hearings are accessible from the public gallery. However, cases involving youth defendants and overnight custody remands are not listed publicly, and reporting restrictions may apply in certain cases.

Which Crown Court does Thames Magistrates' Court send cases to?

Either-way and indictable-only cases heard at Thames Magistrates' Court that proceed to trial or sentencing at Crown Court level are typically committed to Stratford Magistrates' Court area feeder courts or sent to Inner London Crown Court or Snaresbrook Crown Court, depending on the nature and allocation of the case.

Are Thames Magistrates' Court listings available on weekends?

The court counter and most standard sittings operate Monday to Friday. Weekend sittings (including Saturday custody courts for overnight remand cases from Friday) may occur and, where they do, the listings are published on the Friday prior. Contact the court directly on 03308 084 407 to confirm weekend sittings.

For nearby East London court listings, you may also want to check Inner London Magistrates' Court listings.