Preston Crown Court listings updated daily. View today's hearings, case schedules, courtroom details, contact information and directions for Preston.
Daily Listings Summary for Preston Crown Court
The official court schedule for Tuesday, 23rd June 2026 comprises a total of 43 cases listed for hearing at Preston Crown Court.
Hearings are scheduled to commence at the following times: 09:00, 09:30, 10:00, 10:30, 11:00, 11:30, 13:30, 14:00, 14:30, 15:00, 15:30.
Proceedings will be conducted across courtrooms 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10.
Members of the public and accredited media representatives are generally permitted to attend these hearings, subject to any reporting restrictions that may be in place.
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View Listings →Preston Crown Court Listings and Hearings Today
Preston Crown Court is one of the busiest Crown Court centres in the North West of England, hearing serious criminal cases across two historic sites in the heart of Preston, Lancashire. This page provides daily updated Preston Crown Court listings, including scheduled hearings, courtroom allocations, case references, and defendant information for all proceedings taking place today. Whether you are a legal professional, a journalist, a defendant, or a member of the public, you can use this page to check what cases are being heard at Preston Crown Court right now.
All listings are sourced from the Xhibit digital court display system used by HMCTS and are refreshed throughout the day. Court schedules may change at short notice, so it is advisable to confirm arrangements with the court office before travelling, particularly for afternoon sessions.
About Preston Crown Court
Preston Crown Court operates as a first-tier court centre, meaning it handles the full range of Crown Court work, from murder and manslaughter to large-scale fraud, sexual offences, armed robbery, drug trafficking, and complex conspiracy cases. As a first-tier centre, it also serves as a venue for High Court civil trials and is staffed by both Circuit Judges and visiting High Court Judges. The court sits across two buildings in the city centre — the Preston Combined Court Centre on Ring Way and the historic Sessions House on Lancaster Road.
Sessions House, Lancaster Road
The Sessions House is a Grade II* listed Edwardian Baroque courthouse on Harris Street and Lancaster Road, designed by Manchester architect Henry Littler. The foundation stone was laid on 2 February 1900 by Frederick Stanley, 16th Earl of Derby, and the building was completed in 1903. Built in sandstone ashlar, the interior features richly decorated courtrooms with pilastered panelling, a panelled library with ornamental swags, and a magistrates' cloakroom furnished in Purbeck marble. The Sessions House served as the sole Crown Court venue in Preston until the mid-1980s and continues to host crown court and family court hearings today.
Preston Combined Court Centre, Ring Way
Opened in 1996, the Preston Combined Court Centre was designed by Alistair Sutherland of Austin-Smith:Lord architects. It was built on the site of the former Saul Street Public Baths to accommodate the growing volume of criminal, civil, and family cases in the Preston area. The combined court centre houses the majority of crown court and county court proceedings and features modern facilities including video conferencing equipment, consultation rooms, hearing loops, and full disabled access.
Notable Cases at Preston Crown Court
Preston Crown Court has presided over several high-profile criminal trials. In February 2013, Dale Cregan was tried and convicted at Preston for the murders of PCs Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone. In May 2014, broadcaster Stuart Hall was convicted of indecent assault charges at the court. In August 2021, seven men were found guilty at Preston Crown Court for the murder of Aya Hachem in Blackburn. The court regularly handles complex multi-defendant trials and cases transferred from other Lancashire courts.
Preston Crown Court Contact Details and Opening Hours
- Address (Combined Court Centre): The Law Courts, Openshaw Place, Ring Way, Preston, PR1 2LL
- Address (Sessions House): Sessions House, Lancaster Road, Preston, PR1 2PD
- Telephone (Crown Court): 01772 844 700
- Email (General Enquiries): [email protected]
- Email (Listings): [email protected]
- Email (Pre-Trial): [email protected]
- Email (Case Progression): [email protected]
- Court Open: Monday to Friday, 8:30am – 5:00pm
- Telephone Enquiries: Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm
- County Court Counter: Monday to Friday, 10:00am – 2:00pm
How to Get to Preston Crown Court
Both court buildings are located in Preston city centre within walking distance of Preston railway station, which is approximately a 10-minute walk from the Combined Court Centre on Ring Way and a 5-minute walk from the Sessions House on Lancaster Road. Preston station is served by frequent trains on the West Coast Main Line from London Euston, Manchester, Liverpool, Lancaster, and Carlisle, as well as local services from Blackpool, Blackburn, and Burnley.
By bus, multiple services stop near the Preston Bus Station, which is directly opposite the Sessions House. Local bus routes operated by Stagecoach and Preston Bus connect the court to surrounding areas including Fulwood, Ribbleton, Ashton-on-Ribble, and Leyland.
There is no dedicated parking at either court building. Limited disabled parking is available at the Combined Court Centre on a first-come, first-served basis. The nearest public car parks are Upper Lawson Street Car Park (PR1 2RJ), Walker Street Car Park (PR1 2RQ), Saul Street Car Park (PR1 2QU), and the Bus Station Car Park on Carlisle Street (PR1 1DJ). Court users are advised to use public transport where possible, particularly during peak hours.
Types of Cases Heard at Preston Crown Court
As a first-tier Crown Court centre, Preston handles indictable-only offences that must be tried before a judge and jury. These include murder, attempted murder, manslaughter, rape and serious sexual offences, grievous bodily harm with intent, armed robbery, kidnapping, large-scale drug supply and importation, serious fraud and financial crime, arson, and firearms offences. The court also hears either-way offences committed to the Crown Court from Preston Magistrates' Court and other magistrates' courts across Lancashire, as well as appeals against conviction or sentence from the magistrates' courts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find Preston Crown Court listings for today?
Today's Preston Crown Court listings are published at the top of this page and are updated throughout the day. Each listing shows the hearing time, courtroom number, building location, case reference, and defendant name. You can also check the court display screens in person at either the Combined Court Centre or Sessions House.
Can I attend a hearing at Preston Crown Court?
Yes. Crown Court hearings in England and Wales are generally open to the public. You can sit in the public gallery to observe proceedings. However, some hearings may have reporting restrictions in place, and the presiding judge has the authority to clear the public gallery in certain circumstances. Security screening is in operation at all entrances, so allow extra time on arrival.
What time do hearings start at Preston Crown Court?
Most morning hearings at Preston Crown Court are listed from 9:00am, with further sessions at 10:00am, 10:30am, and 11:00am. Afternoon hearings typically begin at 2:00pm or 2:30pm. The court usually sits from 10:00am to 4:30pm, with a break for lunch around 1:00pm.
How do I contact Preston Crown Court about a case?
For general crown court enquiries, call 01772 844 700 between 9:00am and 5:00pm, Monday to Friday. For listing queries, email [email protected]. For pre-trial matters, email [email protected]. The national contact centre for civil and family court enquiries can be reached on 0300 123 5577.
Where can I park near Preston Crown Court?
There is no public parking at either court building. The nearest car parks are Upper Lawson Street (PR1 2RJ), Walker Street (PR1 2RQ), Saul Street (PR1 2QU), and the Bus Station Car Park on Carlisle Street (PR1 1DJ). Limited disabled parking spaces are available at the Combined Court Centre.
