North Somerset Magistrates’ Court Listings

North Somerset Magistrates' Court: Daily Listings & Hearing Schedule

North Somerset Magistrates' Court, officially known as North Somerset Courthouse, is located at The Hedges, St Georges, Weston-super-Mare, BS22 7BB. Serving the North Somerset district — which covers towns and parishes including Weston-super-Mare, Clevedon, Nailsea, Portishead, and Yatton — the court handles a significant volume of criminal cases, single justice procedure matters, and summary offences each week. Whether you are a defendant, legal professional, witness, or member of the public, this page provides up-to-date access to the North Somerset Magistrates' Court listings published each working day.

Cases Heard at North Somerset Magistrates' Court

As a magistrates' court sitting within the Avon and Somerset justice area, North Somerset hears a wide range of cases including:

• Summary offences: Minor criminal matters dealt with entirely at magistrates' level, such as minor motoring offences, low-level drug possession, and public order incidents
• Either-way offences: Cases such as theft, assault, and criminal damage that may be sent to Crown Court depending on severity
• Indictable-only preliminary hearings: Serious cases including robbery and serious assault that begin at magistrates' court before transfer to Bristol Crown Court
• Single Justice Procedure (SJP) cases: TV licence evasion, speeding, and minor traffic offences decided by a single magistrate without a hearing
• Bail applications and remand hearings: Custody decisions and conditions of bail for defendants awaiting trial
• Domestic abuse, harassment, and restraining order proceedings

Youth cases involving defendants under 18 are typically heard at a separate youth court sitting and are not published in the public listings, in line with national safeguarding policy.

North Somerset Court Area & Jurisdiction

The court serves the entire North Somerset unitary authority, one of the areas created when Avon County Council was abolished in 1996. The district stretches from the Bristol Channel coast at Weston-super-Mare northward to the fringes of Bristol and includes the Mendip foothills to the south. Historically, the area fell under the old county of Avon — which is why some older court records and correspondence still reference Avon rather than North Somerset. Today, the court operates under the Avon and Somerset police and justice region, meaning cases investigated by Avon and Somerset Constabulary are regularly prosecuted here.

Court Contact Details & Opening Times

If you have a disability and require assistance attending a hearing, contact the court directly on 0330 808 4407 in advance of your hearing date.

How to Get to North Somerset Courthouse, Weston-super-Mare

The courthouse is located in the St Georges area of Weston-super-Mare, just off the A370 — the main arterial road linking Weston to Bristol. It sits close to Junction 21 of the M5 motorway, making it readily accessible by car from across North Somerset and beyond.

By Public Transport

• Bus: First Bus services connect Weston-super-Mare town centre to St Georges. The court is a short walk from stops on the A370.
• Train: Weston-super-Mare railway station is served by Great Western Railway with direct trains from Bristol Temple Meads (approximately 45 minutes). From the station, a taxi or local bus to St Georges takes around 10–15 minutes.
• Taxi: Multiple taxi firms operate in Weston-super-Mare for onward travel from the train station.
• Car: Exit the M5 at Junction 21 and follow the A370 towards Weston-super-Mare. The Hedges is signposted in the St Georges area. Parking is available near the courthouse.

How to Read the North Somerset Magistrates' Court Listings

The daily listings for North Somerset Magistrates' Court are published each working day and list scheduled hearings for the following day. Monday's lists — covering hearings on Monday — are published on the preceding Friday. Each listing entry typically shows:

• The defendant's full name
• The prosecuting authority (e.g., Avon and Somerset Police, DVLA, TV Licensing)
• The courtroom number
• The listed hearing time
• The case reference number

Overnight custody cases (where a defendant has been held in police cells and brought straight to court the next morning) may not appear on the published list in advance. If you need to confirm whether a custody case is listed, contact the court directly on the morning of the hearing.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. Magistrates' courts in England and Wales are open to the public as a principle of open justice. You may attend any hearing unless the magistrate makes a specific order restricting access, such as in cases involving children or sensitive evidence.

What time do hearings start at North Somerset Magistrates' Court?

Most listed hearings begin at 9:30am or 10:00am. Custody hearings (where defendants are brought from police custody overnight) may be listed earlier. Always check the published listing for the specific time of the case you are attending.

How do I find out if a case has been adjourned or cancelled?

The best way is to contact the court directly on 0330 808 4407 on the morning of the hearing. Listings can change at short notice due to guilty pleas, witness unavailability, or courtroom availability.

Where is the nearest Crown Court to North Somerset?

Cases sent for trial or sentencing from North Somerset Magistrates' Court are typically transferred to Bristol Crown Court, located at The Law Courts, Small Street, Bristol, BS1 1DA. You can view Taunton Magistrates' Court listings or Bristol Magistrates' Court listings for neighbouring courts in the South West region.

Are youth court cases listed publicly?

No. Cases involving defendants under 18 years of age are heard in the youth court, which sits separately and is not open to the general public. These cases are not included in the published daily listings.