Hastings Magistrates’ Court Listings

Hastings Magistrates' Court Daily Hearing Schedule

Hastings Magistrates' Court is located at The Law Courts, Horntye Park, Bohemia Road, Hastings, TN34 1ND. Situated within the Horntye Park complex in the Bohemia area of town, this court serves the Hastings, Rother, and surrounding East Sussex communities. The building also houses Hastings County Court and Family Court on separate levels, making it a combined court centre for the region. Daily court listings are published here each weekday and typically include courtroom allocations, scheduled hearing times, case references, and defendant names for all proceedings taking place that day.

Types of Cases Heard at Hastings Magistrates' Court

Hastings Magistrates' Court handles a broad range of criminal and procedural matters. These include summary offences such as drink driving, common assault, theft, public order offences, and minor criminal damage. The court also deals with either-way offences at the initial hearing stage, where magistrates determine whether the case is suitable to remain in this court or should be committed to the Crown Court for trial or sentencing. Single justice procedure cases — typically involving minor regulatory matters like TV licence evasion and minor traffic offences — are also processed here. Cases are heard by a bench of magistrates or a district judge sitting alone. More serious indictable matters that pass through Hastings are generally sent to Lewes Crown Court for trial.

Contact Details and Opening Hours

The court is open Monday to Friday, 8:45am to 5:00pm. For general criminal case enquiries, contact the Courts and Tribunals Service Centre on 0330 808 4407 (Monday to Friday 8:30am–5:00pm, Saturday 8:00am–2:00pm). You can also email [email protected] for magistrates' court enquiries or [email protected] for local administrative queries. For anything relating to a Single Justice Procedure case, contact 0300 303 0656 or email [email protected]. If you need to request a video link hearing, email [email protected] in advance. Written correspondence should be directed to Brighton Magistrates' Court Administration Centre, The Law Courts, Edward Street, Brighton, BN2 0LG, which handles administrative matters for Hastings.

Getting to Hastings Magistrates' Court

The court is accessible from both Hastings railway station and St Leonards Warrior Square station, each roughly a 10–15 minute walk uphill along Bohemia Road. A taxi from either station takes approximately 10 minutes. If arriving by bus, the nearest stop is Fire Station on Bohemia Road, around a 3-minute walk from the court entrance. Stagecoach routes 100, 1066, 324, 329, and 99 all serve nearby stops. For those driving, there is no dedicated court car park, but pay-and-display parking is available on surrounding streets and at Falaise Road Car Park nearby. Visitors approaching from Warrior Square should head up St John's Road, turn left into Chapel Park Road, and then right onto Bohemia Road — the court complex is signposted on the left-hand side past the police station.

Accessibility and Building Facilities

Hastings Magistrates' Court has level access at the building entrance and within courtrooms. Disabled parking spaces and accessible toilet facilities are available on site. Hearing enhancement systems are fitted in all courtrooms and can be used with or without a hearing aid — speak to the Court Listing Officer if you require this. Assistance dogs are welcome. Video conferencing and prison-to-court video link facilities are available by prior arrangement. If you have a disability or need additional support attending a hearing, contact the court in advance on 0330 808 4407. Lanyards for hidden disabilities are available on request at reception.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time do hearings start at Hastings Magistrates' Court?

Morning sessions typically begin at 10:00am, with afternoon hearings usually listed from 2:00pm. Courtroom doors generally open around fifteen minutes before the scheduled start time. Check the daily listings on this page for exact times and courtroom numbers for each case.

Where do serious cases from Hastings go?

Indictable-only offences and either-way cases deemed too serious for magistrates' sentencing powers are committed to Lewes Crown Court for trial or sentencing. Magistrates at Hastings conduct the initial hearing and allocation before transferring the case.

Can I attend a hearing at Hastings Magistrates' Court as a member of the public?

Yes. Magistrates' court hearings in England and Wales are generally open to the public. You may sit in the public gallery of any courtroom unless the bench has ordered proceedings to be held in private, which may apply in certain family-related or sensitive cases. All visitors are subject to security screening upon entry to the building.