Taunton Crown Court Listings

Taunton Crown Court Listings

Taunton Crown Court sits at the historic Shire Hall on Shuttern in the centre of Taunton, Somerset, TA1 4EU. As the principal Crown Court venue serving Somerset, it handles serious criminal cases from across the county, including indictable-only offences and either-way matters committed from Taunton Magistrates' Court and other local magistrates' courts. Daily court listings for Taunton Crown Court are published on this page, giving defendants, legal representatives, witnesses and members of the public access to scheduled hearings, trial fixtures and sentencing dates.

History of Taunton Crown Court and Shire Hall

Taunton has served as a centre of justice in Somerset for centuries. Before the current Shire Hall was built, the county assizes were held in the Great Hall at Taunton Castle, a tradition dating back to the aftermath of the English Civil War. The castle is perhaps most famously associated with the Bloody Assizes of September 1685, when Judge Jeffreys presided over the trials of those involved in the Monmouth Rebellion. By the mid-nineteenth century, the facilities at the castle were considered inadequate, and in 1854 a decision was made to construct a purpose-built assize court. The foundation stone of Shire Hall was laid on 14 August 1855 by Viscount Portman, then Lord Lieutenant of Somerset, and the building was completed in 1858 to a Gothic design by architect William Bonython Moffatt. The Shire Hall received Grade II listed status in July 1975 and continues to serve as the Crown Court venue for the region. In September 2023, the building was temporarily closed for extensive renovation work to address structural issues with flooring, roofing and stonework, with repairs projected to cost approximately £12 million. During this closure, Crown Court cases have been relocated to North Somerset Courthouse in Worle, though the building is expected to reopen in 2026.

Types of Cases Heard at Taunton Crown Court

Taunton Crown Court deals with the most serious criminal matters in Somerset. Cases heard include jury trials for offences such as murder, manslaughter, robbery, serious sexual offences, large-scale drug trafficking, fraud, grievous bodily harm and arson. The court also handles sentencing for defendants committed from magistrates' courts where the magistrates' sentencing powers are insufficient, as well as appeals against conviction or sentence from the magistrates' court. Additionally, the Shire Hall building houses Taunton County Court and Family Court, which deal with civil disputes, divorce proceedings, adoption orders, bankruptcy petitions, housing possession claims and domestic abuse injunctions.

Contact Details, Opening Hours and Getting There

The Crown Court office at Taunton can be contacted by telephone on 01823 257 084 for general enquiries or by email at tauntoncrowncourt@justice.gov.uk. The court is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, with telephone enquiries answered between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm. The postal address is The Shire Hall, Taunton, TA1 4EU. The Crown Court location code for legal professionals is 459 and the DX address is 98410 Taunton 2. Shire Hall is located in the town centre, within walking distance of Taunton railway station, which is served by Great Western Railway services from London Paddington, Bristol Temple Meads and Exeter St Davids. There is no on-site parking for the general public, but paid car parking is available within 500 metres at Crescent, Tangier and Enfield car parks. Limited on-site parking is reserved for blue badge holders.

Facilities and Accessibility

• Level access to the building entrance and courtrooms
• Hearing loop available by prior arrangement
• Assistance dogs welcome
• Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyards available on request
• Separate witness waiting area and public waiting areas on the ground floor
• Video conferencing and prison-to-court video link facilities available by prior arrangement
• Consultation rooms for legal professionals and their clients
• Security arch screening at entry — alert officers if you have a pacemaker

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find today's court listings for Taunton Crown Court?

Daily hearing lists for Taunton Crown Court are published on this page each morning. Listings include the courtroom number, scheduled hearing time and case details compiled from the Xhibit digital display system. Schedules may be subject to last-minute amendments.

Where are Taunton Crown Court cases being heard during the Shire Hall closure?

While Shire Hall undergoes renovation, Crown Court sittings have been temporarily relocated to North Somerset Courthouse in Worle. Parties attending hearings will be notified directly of the venue. Public counter services are available at Taunton Magistrates' Court, St John's Road, Taunton, TA1 4AX.

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

Crown Court hearings are generally open to the public. Visitors should arrive early, pass through security screening, and take a seat in the public gallery. The presiding judge may restrict access in certain circumstances. Photography and audio or video recording inside the court building are strictly prohibited. For Crown Court listings at other nearby venues, you can also check Exeter Crown Court listings.