Hereford Magistrates’ Court Listings

About Hereford Magistrates' Court

Hereford Magistrates' Court operates from the Hereford Justice Centre on Bath Street in the heart of Hereford city centre, serving the residents and communities of Herefordshire. As the principal magistrates' court for the county, it handles a wide range of summary criminal offences, single justice procedure cases, and benefits-related tribunal hearings. The court also processes cases involving motoring offences, minor assaults, public order matters, theft, and early-stage indictable offences before they are committed to the Crown Court. Managed by HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS), Hereford Magistrates' Court plays a vital role in maintaining access to justice across this largely rural county.

Court Location, Contact Details & Opening Hours

Hereford Justice Centre is located at The Court House, Bath Street, Hereford, HR1 2HE. The court building is open Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and telephone enquiries are answered until 4:45 pm. There is no counter service available at this location. For magistrates' court enquiries, contact the Courts and Tribunals Service Centre on 0330 808 4407 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm; Saturday, 8:00 am to 2:00 pm). You can also email [email protected] for listing queries or [email protected] for general magistrates' court matters. For fines and enforcement, use [email protected]. Written correspondence should be directed to Castle Street, Worcester, WR1 3QZ.

Getting to Hereford Justice Centre

By Rail

Hereford railway station is approximately a 10 to 15 minute walk from the court. Exit the station via the car park, turn left onto Station Approach, then right onto Commercial Road (A465). Follow the road until the third major junction and turn left onto Bath Street. The Justice Centre is around 100 metres along on the left-hand side.

By Bus

Several bus services stop directly outside the venue, including routes 72, 74, 75, 76, 426, 476, and 492. These connect the court to surrounding towns across Herefordshire and the Welsh borders.

Parking

There are no parking facilities at the court itself. The nearest pay and display car parks are located at Union Walk (HR1 2BL), Venns Close (HR1 2HA), and Bath Street (HR1 2HH), all within a short walk of the building.

Facilities & Accessibility

Hereford Justice Centre is wheelchair accessible, with a ramp at the building entrance and a wheelchair lift between the ground and first floors (suitable for wheelchairs up to 72 cm wide). Assistance dogs are welcome, and a portable hearing enhancement system is available by prior arrangement. The building features a security arch at entry — visitors with pacemakers should alert the security officer. Four interview rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Baby changing facilities are located in the accessible toilet on the ground floor, and hot and cold drinks vending machines can be found on the first floor. Video conferencing and prison-to-court video link facilities are also available by prior arrangement through the court administration team.

History of Magistrates' Courts in Hereford

Hereford has a long association with the administration of local justice. The original Magistrates' Court building on Gaol Street, dating from around 1842 and designed by local architects Trehern and Duckham, is a Grade II listed building recognised by Historic England. Originally built as a police station and gaol, the stone and brick structure features a distinctive hipped gabled slate roof, semicircular arched windows, and rusticated stonework — a fine example of early Victorian civic architecture. Magistrates' courts in Herefordshire have evolved significantly over the centuries, from the petty sessions courts of earlier eras to the modern facility now housed within the Hereford Justice Centre. Today, the Justice Centre consolidates magistrates', county, and family court functions under one roof, streamlining access to legal services for people across the county.

Nearby Magistrates' Courts

If you need court listing information for nearby areas, you may also find the following useful: Worcester Magistrates' Court listings and Cheltenham Magistrates' Court listings. Both courts serve areas within reasonable proximity to Herefordshire and may handle transferred or related cases.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Hereford Magistrates' Court primarily deals with summary criminal offences such as minor assaults, theft, criminal damage, motoring offences, and public order cases. It also handles single justice procedure matters, early hearings for indictable offences before committal to Crown Court, and social security and child support tribunal cases through the Birmingham Administrative Support Centre.

How do I find out if my case is listed at Hereford Magistrates' Court today?

Daily court listings for Hereford Magistrates' Court are published on this page. You can also contact the Courts and Tribunals Service Centre on 0330 808 4407 or email [email protected] to confirm your hearing details. Court schedules may be subject to last-minute amendments, so checking on the morning of your hearing is recommended.

Is there parking at Hereford Justice Centre?

No, the court does not have its own parking. The nearest public pay and display car parks are at Union Walk, Venns Close, and Bath Street, all within walking distance of the Justice Centre.

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

Video conferencing and prison-to-court video link facilities are available at Hereford Justice Centre by prior arrangement. Contact the court administration team on 0330 808 4407 to book these services ahead of your hearing.