Lincoln Magistrates’ Court Listings

About Lincoln Magistrates' Court

Lincoln Magistrates' Court is located at The Court House, 358 High Street, Lincoln, LN5 7QA. Situated in the southern part of Lincoln's historic High Street — between Tentercroft Street and Portland Street — the court serves the city of Lincoln and surrounding areas across Lincolnshire. The current courthouse was officially opened by the Prince of Wales on 20th November 1990, replacing the earlier magistrates' courts that had operated from Lincoln Castle and the old Sessions House, the latter of which is now part of Lincoln College. Today, it remains one of the key criminal justice facilities in the East Midlands region, processing thousands of hearings each year.

Types of Cases Heard at Lincoln Magistrates' Court

As a magistrates' court within the HMCTS network, Lincoln handles a wide range of summary offences and less serious criminal matters. Cases are heard before a bench of magistrates or a district judge who assess evidence, determine guilt, and pass sentence within the court's sentencing powers. Typical matters include motoring offences, minor assaults, theft, criminal damage, public order offences, and regulatory breaches. The court also conducts preliminary hearings for more serious either-way and indictable-only offences before they are committed or sent to Lincoln Crown Court for trial or sentencing. Single Justice Procedure (SJP) cases — typically involving low-level offences such as TV licence evasion or minor road traffic matters — are also administered through this court.

Opening Hours and Contact Details

Lincoln Magistrates' Court is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. For general magistrates' court enquiries, contact the Courts and Tribunals Service Centre on 0330 808 4407 (Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm; Saturday, 8am to 2pm) or email [email protected]. If your case reference number contains only numbers, direct your enquiry to [email protected]. For listing queries, use [email protected]. Witness Services can be reached on 0300 332 1000, and Single Justice Procedure enquiries should be directed to 0300 303 0656 or [email protected].

Getting to Lincoln Magistrates' Court

The courthouse is well served by public transport. Lincoln Central railway station is approximately a 17-minute walk away — exit the station, turn left into St Mary's Street, then left at the traffic lights onto the High Street and continue past Tentercroft Street. Lincoln's Central Bus Station is around a 5-minute walk from the court, with regular services including routes 1, 2, 6, 9, 47, 48, and 56 stopping at the nearby Stonebow Centre or Magistrates Court bus stop. East Midlands Railway operates the main rail services into Lincoln. There is no on-site parking, but several public car parks are available nearby, including Tentercroft Street car park and the multi-storey car park at the Lincoln Transport Hub on St Mary's Street, which has around 1,000 spaces.

Facilities and Accessibility

Lincoln Magistrates' Court provides step-free access via a ramp at the building entrance, a lift between the ground and first floors, and level access into all courtrooms and hearing rooms. Assistance dogs are welcome, and Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyards are available on request. All visitors must pass through a security arch on entry — those with pacemakers should notify the security officer before proceeding. Refreshments are available from the St Barnabas café on the first floor. Interview rooms and consultation areas are provided within the building for use by legal representatives and defendants. Members of the public and accredited media are generally permitted to attend hearings, subject to any reporting restrictions in place.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find today's court listings for Lincoln Magistrates' Court?

Daily hearing schedules for Lincoln Magistrates' Court are published on this page each morning. Listings include scheduled hearing times, courtroom allocations, and case reference numbers. Schedules are sourced from the Xhibit digital court display system and may be subject to last-minute changes, so it is advisable to check on the day of your hearing.

What should I do if my case is being sent to Crown Court?

If magistrates determine that a case is too serious for their sentencing powers, or if the defendant elects a Crown Court trial, the matter will be transferred to Lincoln Crown Court, which sits at the historic Castle courthouse on Castle Hill. Your solicitor or the court clerk will advise you on the next steps, including any bail conditions and the date of your Crown Court appearance.

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

Yes, most hearings at Lincoln Magistrates' Court are open to the public. Seating in the public gallery is available on a first-come, first-served basis. However, the presiding judge or magistrates may impose reporting restrictions or close the court in certain circumstances, such as cases involving vulnerable witnesses or young defendants. Photography and recording inside the court building are strictly prohibited.