Great Yarmouth Magistrates’ Court Listings

About Great Yarmouth Magistrates' Court

Great Yarmouth Magistrates' Court is located at The Courthouse, North Quay, Great Yarmouth, NR30 1PW, overlooking the River Yare in the heart of this historic Norfolk coastal town. The court serves Great Yarmouth and the surrounding borough, handling criminal cases, family proceedings, and single justice procedure matters for one of East Anglia's busiest coastal communities. Great Yarmouth has a long judicial history stretching back to the 12th century, when the Tolhouse on Tolhouse Street served as the town's original courthouse and gaol — making it one of the oldest civic buildings in England.

Cases Heard at Great Yarmouth Court

Great Yarmouth Magistrates' Court deals with a wide range of criminal and family matters. Criminal cases include summary offences such as motoring offences, minor assaults, theft, public order offences, and criminal damage, as well as early hearings for indictable cases before they are sent to the Crown Court. The court also operates the Single Justice Procedure for low-level offences such as TV licence evasion, minor road traffic matters, and rail fare evasion, which are dealt with by a single magistrate on paper without requiring a hearing.

As a designated Family Court, it handles adoption applications, child arrangement orders, divorce hearings, financial remedy proceedings, and domestic abuse protection orders. Family case correspondence is managed through Norwich Combined Court at Bishopgate, Norwich, NR3 1UR, while criminal enquiries are administered via Norwich Magistrates' Court at Bishopgate, Norwich, NR3 1UP. More serious criminal matters originating from Great Yarmouth are typically committed to Norwich Magistrates' Court or transferred to Norwich Crown Court.

Opening Hours and Contact Details

The court building is open Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM until the close of court business. There is no fixed closing time — the court remains open until all listed cases for the day have concluded. For general magistrates' court enquiries, the Courts and Tribunals Service Centre can be reached on 03308 084 407 (Monday to Friday 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM, Saturday 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM). Queries relating to Single Justice Procedure cases should be directed to 0300 303 0656 (Monday to Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM). The enforcement office is available on 0300 123 9252 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and fine payments can be made 24 hours a day via the National Payment Line on 0300 790 9901. Email enquiries can be sent to [email protected].

Getting to Great Yarmouth Magistrates' Court

The courthouse sits on North Quay (A149), close to the town centre and the River Yare waterfront. Great Yarmouth railway station is approximately a 10-minute walk south-west of the court and is served by Greater Anglia trains running regular services from Norwich, with connections to Ipswich, Cambridge, and London Liverpool Street. First Eastern Counties buses serve stops along North Quay and the nearby Market Gates bus station, providing routes across Great Yarmouth, Gorleston, Caister-on-Sea, and the wider Norfolk area. There is no public car parking at the court itself, but several pay-and-display car parks are located nearby, including those on Stonecutters Way, King Street, and the Pasteur Road multi-storey. Drivers approaching from Norwich should follow the A47 eastbound and then take the A1243 into the town centre.

Facilities at the Courthouse

• Disabled access via a ramp at the building entrance, a lift between floors, and level access to all courtrooms
• Hearing loop system available by prior arrangement
• Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyards available on request
• Interview rooms for private consultations with solicitors
• Baby changing facilities
• Video conferencing and prison-to-court video link (by prior arrangement)
• Witness service support — contact 0300 332 1208
• Assistance dogs welcome throughout the building

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find my listing at Great Yarmouth Magistrates' Court?

Daily court listings for Great Yarmouth are published by HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS), typically by 4:00 PM the day before the hearing. You can check your listing on this page or contact the Courts and Tribunals Service Centre on 03308 084 407 if your case does not appear by 5:00 PM.

What should I bring to my hearing at Great Yarmouth Court?

You should bring your court summons or charge sheet, photographic identification, and any documents your solicitor has advised you to carry. If you have been bailed, bring your bail notice. Arrive at least 30 minutes before your listed hearing time to allow for security checks and to meet with your legal representative or the duty solicitor.

Can I pay a fine issued at Great Yarmouth Magistrates' Court?

Yes. Fines can be paid 24 hours a day through the National Payment Line on 0300 790 9901. You can also pay online through the GOV.UK fine payment service using the reference number on your payment notice. For enforcement queries regarding unpaid fines, call 0300 123 9252 between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM.

Where are the nearest other magistrates' courts to Great Yarmouth?

The nearest magistrates' court is Norwich Magistrates' Court, located approximately 20 miles west at Bishopgate, Norwich. For those in Suffolk, Ipswich Magistrates' Court is around 45 miles to the south via the A12 and A146.