Southwark Crown Court Listings

Southwark Crown Court Listings – Daily Hearing Schedule

Southwark Crown Court listings are published each day and include scheduled hearings, courtroom allocations, case references, and defendant information for one of London's busiest Crown Court centres. Located at 1 English Grounds, off Battlebridge Lane, London SE1 2HU, this court sits on the south bank of the River Thames between London Bridge and Tower Bridge. Whether you are a defendant, legal professional, witness, or member of the public, the daily list above provides the most current hearing schedule sourced from the Xhibit digital court display system and local court reporters.

About Southwark Crown Court

Southwark Crown Court was officially opened on 22 March 1983 by HRH The Princess Royal in the presence of Lord Hailsham, the Lord Chancellor, and Lord Lane, the Lord Chief Justice. The three-storey yellow-brick building replaced the former Sessions House at Newington Causeway and was designed by the Property Services Agency in a modern architectural style. It houses 15 courtrooms and 48 interview rooms, making it the fourth largest court centre in England and Wales. The court operates within the South Eastern Region of His Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) and serves as a designated serious fraud centre, regularly handling complex financial crime trials that attract national and international media attention. The senior judge at Southwark holds the title of Recorder of Westminster, as the court now handles cases previously heard at Middlesex Guildhall Crown Court in Parliament Square.

Types of Cases Heard at Southwark Crown Court

As a Crown Court, Southwark deals exclusively with serious indictable offences that are tried before a judge and jury. The types of cases heard here include:

• Serious fraud and financial crime – Southwark is one of the primary fraud trial centres in England, handling large-scale money laundering, tax evasion, bribery, and corporate fraud prosecutions.
• Murder and manslaughter – including cases of causing death by dangerous driving.
• Sexual offences – rape, sexual assault, and related serious charges.
• Armed robbery and violent crime – aggravated burglary, firearms offences, and organised crime.
• Appeals and sentencing – cases committed from magistrates' courts across South London and beyond for sentencing or appeal.

Hearing types listed daily include trials, plea and trial preparation hearings (PTPH), case management hearings, sentencing, bail applications, and mentions. The court also handles single justice procedure cases.

Southwark Crown Court Contact Details and Opening Hours

The court is open Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 6:00pm, with the public counter available from 9:00am to 4:00pm. Hearings typically commence between 9:00am and 10:30am, with afternoon sittings resuming at 2:00pm. Key contact details are listed below:

• General enquiries: 020 7522 7200
• Email: [email protected]
• Jury service: 020 7522 7278
• Witness service: 030 0332 1339
• Citizens Advice: [email protected]
• Fax: 0870 324 0141
• DX: 39913 London Bridge South
• Crown Court location code: 471

Getting to Southwark Crown Court

Southwark Crown Court is extremely well connected by public transport. The nearest station is London Bridge (both Underground and National Rail), which is approximately 350 yards or a four-minute walk from the court entrance. London Bridge is served by the Jubilee and Northern lines on the Underground, as well as Southern and Thameslink rail services. The court is also within walking distance of Borough and Bermondsey tube stations. Multiple bus routes serve the Tooley Street and London Bridge area, including routes 47, 343, 381, and RV1. For those driving, limited metered parking is available on surrounding streets, though public transport is strongly recommended due to the Congestion Charge zone. Cycle racks are available near the court building and along Tooley Street.

Facilities at Southwark Crown Court

The building provides full disabled access including accessible toilets, and is part of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower network with lanyards available on request. Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the court. A coffee pod on the ground floor serves hot and cold drinks along with sandwiches and snacks for public use. The court also provides a prayer and quiet room, video conference and Prison Video Link facilities, and free wireless internet access across the building. Legal professionals can use the court through the Professional Users' Court and Tribunal Access Scheme. For those attending hearings at other Crown Court locations across England and Wales, daily listings are also available on this site.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find Southwark Crown Court listings for today?

The daily hearing schedule for Southwark Crown Court is published at the top of this page and is updated every court day. Listings typically include defendant names, case reference numbers, courtroom allocations, and scheduled hearing times. The information is compiled from the HMCTS Xhibit system and is usually available by 4:00pm the day before.

Can members of the public attend hearings at Southwark Crown Court?

Yes. Most Crown Court hearings are open to the public, and members of the public gallery are generally permitted to take notes. However, some hearings may have reporting restrictions in place. Photography and recording inside the court building are strictly prohibited.

What should I bring if I am attending Southwark Crown Court?

All visitors must pass through airport-style security screening upon entry. You should bring valid identification, any court documents or correspondence you have received, and arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled hearing time. Smart attire is expected. Mobile phones must be switched to silent mode inside courtrooms.