Horsham Magistrates’ Court Listings

About Horsham Magistrates' Court

Horsham Magistrates' Court is located at The Law Courts, Hurst Road, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 2ET. The court building was opened in 1974 as part of a wider institutional development along Hurst Road, which also houses Horsham's police station, fire station, and hospital. It serves the wider Horsham district, covering a substantial area of mid-West Sussex including towns and villages such as Billingshurst, Pulborough, Steyning, and Storrington. Criminal cases from across this region are regularly listed here, making it one of the key magistrates' courts in the Sussex and Surrey circuit.

The court operates under His Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) and handles criminal proceedings including summary offences, either-way offences at their initial stages, and cases processed through the Single Justice Procedure. More serious indictable matters that originate at Horsham are typically committed or sent to Lewes Crown Court for trial. The court also hears bail applications, sentencing hearings, warrant cases, and breach proceedings related to community orders. If you are looking for civil or family proceedings, these are dealt with separately at the co-located Horsham County Court and Family Court, which shares the same Hurst Road building.

Horsham Court Contact Details and Opening Hours

Horsham Magistrates' Court is open only when the court is sitting, so there are no fixed daily opening hours. All enquiries are handled centrally through the Courts and Tribunals Service Centre rather than at a local counter. Below are the key contact details:

• Address: The Law Courts, Hurst Road, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 2ET
• Postal Address: Sussex Magistrates Administration Centre, Edward Street, Brighton, BN2 0LG
• General Enquiries: 0330 808 4407 (Monday to Friday, 8:30am – 5pm; Saturday 8am – 2pm)
• Email: [email protected] (general criminal enquiries)
• Local Admin Email: [email protected]
• Single Justice Procedure: 0300 303 0656 (Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm)
• Video Link Requests: [email protected]
• Witness Service: 0300 332 1228
• Legal Aid: 0121 232 5667 (9am – 5pm)
• Fine Payments: 0300 790 9901 (9am – 5pm)
• Enforcement: 0300 123 9252
• Magistrates' Court Location Code: 2950
• DX: DX153460 Brighton 17

Getting to Horsham Magistrates' Court

By Train

Horsham railway station is approximately a 10-minute walk south of the court building. The station is served by regular Southern and Thameslink services, with direct connections to London Victoria, London Bridge, Gatwick Airport, Crawley, Brighton, and Worthing. From the station, walk north along North Street and continue onto Hurst Road where the court is located on the left-hand side.

By Bus

Several Metrobus and Compass Travel routes stop in Horsham town centre within walking distance of the court. Routes connect the town to Crawley, Broadbridge Heath, Southwater, and surrounding villages. The Horsham bus station on Blackhorse Way is roughly a 5-minute walk from the court.

By Car

Horsham is accessible from the A24, A264, and A281. However, there is no parking at the court itself. The nearest public car park is at the Pavilions Leisure Centre on Hurst Road, a short walk from the court entrance. Additional town centre car parks at Forum, Swan Walk, and Piries Place are also within a 10-minute walk.

Accessibility

The building offers level access at the main entrance and to all floors, with lifts serving every level and step-free access into all courtrooms. The court is part of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower network, and lanyards are available on request. Assistance dogs are welcome. If you have a disability and need help attending a hearing, contact the enquiries line on 0330 808 4407 in advance.

Types of Cases Heard at Horsham Magistrates' Court

Horsham Magistrates' Court primarily deals with criminal matters. The types of cases regularly listed here include:

• Summary criminal offences such as minor assaults, public order offences, shoplifting, and driving offences
• Either-way offences at the plea, allocation, and committal stages, including theft, burglary, and drug possession
• Single Justice Procedure cases, typically involving non-imprisonable offences like TV licence evasion, rail fare evasion, and minor motoring matters
• Bail applications and remand hearings
• Sentencing for cases that remain within magistrates' sentencing powers
• Breach of community orders, suspended sentences, and bail conditions
• Warrant hearings and fine enforcement matters

Cases from the Horsham district that are too serious for magistrates are sent to the Crown Court, usually Lewes or, for certain matters, Guildford Crown Court. The court sits alongside Crawley Magistrates' Court and Worthing Magistrates' Court as part of the wider West Sussex magistrates' bench.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find out if my case is listed at Horsham Magistrates' Court?

Daily court listings for Horsham are published by HMCTS and made available through listing services such as CourtServe. You can also contact the Courts and Tribunals Service Centre on 0330 808 4407 to confirm whether your case is listed and which courtroom it has been allocated to.

Can I attend a hearing at Horsham Magistrates' Court by video link?

Yes, the court supports Cloud Video Platform (CVP) hearings. To request a video link appearance, email [email protected] with your case details in advance of the hearing date.

Is there parking at Horsham Magistrates' Court?

No, the court has no on-site parking. The closest option is the car park at the Pavilions Leisure Centre on Hurst Road, which is a very short walk from the court entrance. Town centre car parks at Forum and Swan Walk are also nearby.

What should I do if I receive a Single Justice Procedure notice for Horsham?

A Single Justice Procedure notice means your case will be considered by a single magistrate without a public hearing. You should complete and return the notice by the deadline stated, entering your plea and any mitigation. For queries, contact the Single Justice Service Centre on 0300 303 0656 or email [email protected].