Luton Magistrates’ Court Listings

Luton and South Bedfordshire Magistrates Court: Daily Listings & Hearings

Luton and South Bedfordshire Magistrates Court, located at Stuart Street, Luton, LU1 5BL, is one of the busiest magistrates courts in the East of England region. Serving a large catchment area that spans Luton town centre, Dunstable, Leighton Buzzard, Harpenden, and wider Bedfordshire, the court handles thousands of criminal, civil, and family cases every year. This page provides up-to-date daily listings so residents, legal professionals, and members of the public can check who is in court today in Luton.

Today's Magistrates Court Hearings in Luton

Luton Magistrates Court listings are published each weekday for the following day's hearings. Monday listings (and Saturday sittings where applicable) are made available on Fridays. Each daily list contains defendant names, the prosecuting authority, courtroom number, scheduled hearing time, and case reference. Cases involving children or overnight custody matters are not published online, in line with national guidance from HMCTS.

The court sits Monday to Friday, with doors open from 9:00am to 4:30pm. Hearings typically begin at 9:30am and are allocated across multiple courtrooms throughout the building. If you are attending as a witness, victim, or member of the public gallery, you should check the daily list before travelling to confirm your hearing is proceeding as scheduled.

Types of Cases Heard at Luton Magistrates Court

As a magistrates court, Luton and South Bedfordshire deals with the full range of summary and either-way offences under English criminal law. The court also handles civil proceedings, single justice procedure cases (such as TV licence and road traffic matters dealt with on the papers), family hearings, and social security appeals.

• Summary offences – minor criminal matters including low-level assault, minor drug possession, and driving offences such as speeding, driving without insurance, and drink driving
• Either-way offences – crimes like theft, fraud, and some assault charges that can be heard in either the magistrates or crown court depending on severity
• Indictable offences – more serious cases such as robbery or serious GBH that are sent up to Luton Crown Court after an initial hearing
• Road traffic cases – including penalty charge notices, DVLA matters, and motoring prosecutions brought by Thames Valley or Bedfordshire Police
• Single Justice Procedure (SJP) – written pleas for minor matters including TV licensing and rail fare evasion, handled without a public hearing
• Family proceedings – private and public law family matters, including child arrangement orders and care proceedings
• Social security and child support appeals – heard under the tribunal function of the court

Sending Cases to Luton Crown Court

When cases exceed the sentencing powers of the magistrates — or when a defendant elects trial by jury — they are committed or sent to Luton Crown Court, which sits at the same Stuart Street complex. The Crown Court handles the most serious criminal trials in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, and surrounding areas. For Crown Court daily hearing schedules, see the dedicated Luton Crown Court listings page.

Getting to Luton and South Bedfordshire Magistrates Court

The court is situated in the heart of Luton town centre, making it easily accessible by public transport and on foot. Luton railway station is approximately a 10-minute walk from Stuart Street. Regular train services connect Luton to London St Pancras International (via Thameslink) in around 22–35 minutes, and to Bedford, Harpenden, and St Albans. Luton Airport Parkway station provides a further connection for those travelling from further afield.

• Address: Stuart Street, Luton, LU1 5BL
• By train: Luton railway station (Thameslink) – 10 minutes on foot via George Street and Stuart Street
• By bus: Multiple Arriva and Grant Palmer bus routes serve Luton town centre, stopping near the court on Manchester Street and George Street
• By car: The court is accessible from junction 10a and 11 of the M1 motorway. Parking is available at nearby Luton town centre multi-storey car parks (Arndale and Sainsbury's) as the court does not have a dedicated public car park
• Accessibility: The building is wheelchair accessible. If you need assistance attending a hearing, call 03308 084 407 in advance

Contact Details and Opening Hours

You can contact Luton and South Bedfordshire Magistrates Court directly during court hours for enquiries about your case, listing times, or general information. The Courts and Tribunals Service Centre also handles enquiries by phone and email on behalf of the court.

• Court address: Stuart Street, Luton, LU1 5BL
• General enquiries phone: 03308 084 407 (Monday to Friday 8:30am–5pm; Saturday 8am–2pm)
• General enquiries email: [email protected]
• Single Justice Service: 0300 303 0656 (Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm) / [email protected]
• Payments: 0300 123 9252 (9am–5pm)
• Witness service: 0300 332 1263
• Family court enquiries: 0300 123 5577 (9am–5pm)
• Social security and child support: 0300 123 1142
• Court opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 4:30pm

About Luton and the Court's Jurisdiction

Luton is a large urban town in Bedfordshire with a population of around 225,000, making it one of the most populous towns in England without city status. The town has a highly diverse community and a long industrial history, with former strengths in hat manufacturing and the automotive industry. Today, Luton is best known for Luton Airport — the fifth busiest airport in the UK — and its football club, Luton Town FC. The magistrates court serves not just Luton itself but the broader South Bedfordshire district, including towns like Dunstable, Leighton Buzzard, Ampthill, and Flitwick.

Bedfordshire Police is the primary prosecuting force for cases heard at this court, alongside the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), DVLA, Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), and various local authority prosecutions. Neighbouring courts in the region include Stevenage Magistrates Court, which also falls under the Luton court administration cluster.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time does Luton Magistrates Court open?

The court building is open Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 4:30pm. Hearings typically begin from 9:30am and can continue throughout the afternoon depending on the day's caseload.

How do I find out if someone is in Luton Magistrates Court today?

Daily hearing lists for Luton and South Bedfordshire Magistrates Court are published online. This page displays the current day's listings including defendant names, courtroom numbers, and hearing times. Note that cases involving young people under 18 are not included in public listings.

Can I attend a hearing at Luton Magistrates Court?

Yes. Magistrates courts are open to the public in England and Wales. You are free to observe proceedings from the public gallery unless the court has made a special order restricting access. Children should not be brought into criminal courtrooms without prior arrangement.

What is the difference between Luton Magistrates Court and Luton Crown Court?

Luton Magistrates Court deals with less serious summary and either-way offences, as well as family and civil matters. Luton Crown Court hears the most serious criminal cases, including jury trials for indictable offences and sentencing for offences committed across Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.

How do I pay a fine issued at Luton Magistrates Court?

Fines and financial penalties can be paid by calling the payments line on 0300 123 9252 (available 9am–5pm). You can also pay online through the HMCTS fine payment portal using your case reference number.