Hatfield Magistrates’ Court Listings

Hatfield Magistrates' Court – Daily Hearing Lists and Case Information

Hatfield Magistrates' Court is located on Comet Way, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL10 9SJ, within the Welwyn Hatfield district. The court sits within the wider Hertfordshire judicial area and primarily handles criminal cases and single justice procedure matters for the Hatfield locality and surrounding communities. If you are due to appear at Hatfield Magistrates' Court or need to check a hearing date, our listings above are updated regularly to help you find the information you need quickly.

Cases Heard at Hatfield Magistrates' Court

Hatfield Magistrates' Court deals with two main categories of work. The first is criminal cases, including summary offences such as minor assaults, motoring offences, theft, public order offences, and criminal damage. The court also handles early hearings for indictable and either-way offences before they are sent or committed to the Crown Court. The second category is single justice procedure (SJP) cases, which cover low-level offences like TV licence evasion, minor road traffic matters, and rail fare evasion. These SJP cases are typically dealt with by a single magistrate on paper, without the defendant needing to attend in person. For postal correspondence, all written enquiries should be directed to Luton Magistrates' Court, Stuart Street, Luton, LU1 5BL, which handles administrative matters for this court.

Contact Details and Opening Hours

• Address: Comet Way, Hatfield, AL10 9SJ
• Telephone: 0330 808 4407 (Monday to Friday, 8:30am–5:00pm; Saturday, 8:00am–2:00pm)
• Email: [email protected] (general magistrates' court enquiries)
• Single Justice Service: 0300 303 0656 / [email protected] (Monday to Friday, 9:00am–5:00pm)
• Legal Aid: 0121 232 5500 (9:00am–5:00pm)
• Witness Service: 0300 332 1000
• Court Building Open: 9:00am–4:30pm, Monday to Friday

Getting to Hatfield Magistrates' Court

The court on Comet Way is accessible by both road and public transport. Hatfield railway station, served by Great Northern and Thameslink services on the East Coast Main Line, is approximately 1.4 miles from the court building. Bus routes including the 341, 610, 614, 635, and 644 stop near the court, with the closest stops at Trident Place and Hearle Way on Hatfield Business Park, around a five-minute walk away. For those driving, The Galleria multi-storey car park is roughly a seven-minute walk from the court. The building offers disabled access — contact 0330 808 4407 in advance if you require assistance — along with assistance dog access, vending machine refreshments, and video conferencing facilities for remote hearings by prior arrangement.

History of Hatfield Magistrates' Court

Hatfield has a long history of magistrates' justice stretching back well over a century. The original courthouse on St Albans Road was in use from 1895, before being replaced by a new Georgian-style building that held its first session on 28th August 1939. That building was severely damaged in 1944 by a V1 flying bomb and was not fully repaired until 1952. By 1987 the courthouse required significant structural repairs, and after further use it finally closed on 26th and 27th March 1998. It briefly reopened in 1999 to serve as a temporary replacement while St Albans Magistrates' Court underwent refurbishment. The current Hatfield Magistrates' Court on Comet Way now serves the area, continuing the tradition of local justice in the town. Defendants and witnesses attending nearby courts may also wish to check St Albans Magistrates' Court listings or Stevenage Magistrates' Court listings, both of which sit within the Hertfordshire area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of cases are heard at Hatfield Magistrates' Court?

The court handles criminal cases including summary offences, early hearings for either-way and indictable offences, and single justice procedure cases such as minor road traffic and TV licence matters.

How do I contact Hatfield Magistrates' Court about a hearing?

Call the Courts and Tribunals Service Centre on 0330 808 4407, available Monday to Friday 8:30am–5:00pm and Saturday 8:00am–2:00pm. For single justice procedure queries, call 0300 303 0656 or email [email protected].

Where do I park when attending Hatfield Magistrates' Court?

The nearest public car park is The Galleria multi-storey, located around a seven-minute walk from the court on Comet Way. There is no dedicated court car park on site.

Can I attend a hearing remotely at Hatfield Magistrates' Court?

Yes. The court has video conferencing facilities and prison-to-court video links available by prior arrangement. Contact the court in advance to make these arrangements.