Durham Crown Court Listings

Durham Crown Court Listings

Access the latest Durham Crown Court listings with daily hearing schedules, courtroom allocations, and case updates. Located on Old Elvet in the heart of Durham city, this Crown Court is one of the North East's principal criminal court venues, handling serious indictable offences for County Durham and the surrounding region. Whether you are a defendant, witness, solicitor, or barrister, our listings page provides the most current cause list information published by HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) so you can prepare for your hearing with confidence.

About Durham Crown Court

Durham Crown Court sits within a striking Grade II* listed neoclassical courthouse on Old Elvet, designed by architects George Moneypenny and Ignatius Bonomi and officially opened on 14 August 1811. The building stands immediately north of HM Prison Durham and has served the administration of justice in County Durham for over two centuries. Before this courthouse was built, assize courts were held at the old Shire Hall beside Palace Green — a venue dating back to the 1660s under Bishop John Cosin that was eventually deemed too small and impractical for the county's growing caseload.

Today, Durham Crown Court is administered by HMCTS and primarily deals with serious criminal cases, including trials for offences such as robbery, serious assault, drug trafficking, fraud, sexual offences, and murder. The court also handles committal for sentence from magistrates' courts, bail applications, plea and trial preparation hearings (PTPH), and appeals against conviction or sentence from Durham Magistrates' Court. The Crown Court location code for legal professionals is 422.

Types of Hearings at Durham Crown Court

• Trials for indictable and either-way offences
• Plea and Trial Preparation Hearings (PTPH)
• Sentencing hearings and committal for sentence
• Bail applications and variation of bail conditions
• Appeals from Durham Magistrates' Court
• Single justice procedure cases
• Newton hearings and case management reviews

Durham Crown Court Contact Details & Opening Times

Address

The Law Courts, Old Elvet, Durham, DH1 3HW

Contact

• Telephone: 0191 386 6714
• Email: [email protected]
• Witness Service: 0300 332 1190
• Fax: 0870 739 5977

Opening Times

Durham Crown Court is open Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm. The court counter operates during the same hours. The building is closed on weekends, bank holidays, and during the annual court recess periods at Christmas, Easter, and during the summer.

Getting to Durham Crown Court

The courthouse on Old Elvet is centrally located in Durham, within easy walking distance of the city's main transport links and landmarks including Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle.

By Train

Durham railway station is approximately a 10-minute walk from the court. The station is served by LNER and TransPennine Express services on the East Coast Main Line, with direct trains from London King's Cross, Edinburgh, Newcastle, and York. From the station, walk east along North Road, cross Framwellgate Bridge, and continue along Silver Street and Saddler Street before turning onto Old Elvet.

By Bus

Durham Bus Station is located on North Road, around a 12-minute walk from the court. Regular services operated by Arriva North East and Go North East connect Durham with surrounding towns including Chester-le-Street, Bishop Auckland, Consett, and Sunderland.

By Car

Durham is accessible via the A1(M), exiting at junction 62 for the A690 into the city centre. Parking in central Durham is limited. The nearest pay-and-display car parks include the Prince Bishops multi-storey on Freemans Place and Walkergate car park. There is no dedicated court parking for the public.

Building Facilities

Durham Crown Court provides a range of facilities to support all court users. The building offers video conferencing and prison-to-court video link capabilities by prior arrangement, free Wi-Fi throughout, and a portable hearing enhancement system available on request. Assistance dogs are welcome, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyards are available, and baby changing facilities are provided. Visitors with accessibility needs should contact the court in advance on 0191 386 6714 so appropriate arrangements can be made.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find today's Durham Crown Court listings?

Today's daily cause list for Durham Crown Court is published each working day by HMCTS and displayed on this page. The listings include courtroom numbers, hearing times, case references, and the names of presiding judges. Lists are typically available from 4:00pm the day before for the following day's hearings.

What should I bring to Durham Crown Court?

Bring your court summons or hearing notice, photo identification, and any legal documents relevant to your case. Witnesses should bring their witness summons. Mobile phones must be switched to silent and cannot be used for recording inside the courtrooms.

Can I attend a hearing at Durham Crown Court as a member of the public?

Most Crown Court hearings are open to the public unless specific reporting restrictions have been imposed by the judge. A public gallery is available in the courtrooms. Remote observation may be possible by prior arrangement with the court office.

Is there a dress code for Durham Crown Court?

While there is no strict dress code, smart and respectful attire is expected. Hats, caps, and sunglasses should be removed inside the courtroom. Legal professionals are expected to robe appropriately for trial and sentencing hearings.