Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court Listings

About Portsmouth Magistrates Court

Portsmouth Magistrates Court sits at The Law Courts, Winston Churchill Avenue, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 2DQ — a purpose-built justice facility in the heart of the city serving the wider Hampshire coastal region. As one of the busiest magistrates courts in the South East of England, it handles hundreds of criminal, civil, and family cases every week, covering communities across Portsmouth, Fareham, Gosport, and the surrounding areas. Whether you are a defendant, a witness, a legal professional, or a member of the public, this page provides up-to-date magistrates court listings so you can find out exactly who is in court today, what cases are listed, and when hearings are scheduled to take place.

Cases Heard at Portsmouth Magistrates Court

Portsmouth Magistrates Court hears a wide range of cases that fall under magistrates' court jurisdiction in England and Wales. The types of proceedings heard here include:

• Summary offences — minor criminal matters tried exclusively in the magistrates court, such as traffic offences, minor assaults, and low-level drug possession
• Either-way offences — more serious matters such as theft, fraud, and some assault charges, where the case may be sent to the Crown Court if appropriate
• Indictable-only offences — serious crimes like murder and robbery, which are heard briefly at magistrates level before transfer to Portsmouth Crown Court
• Single Justice Procedure (SJP) cases — including TV licensing offences and minor speeding matters heard by a single magistrate without a public hearing
• Family court hearings — including child arrangement orders and domestic proceedings
• Fine enforcement and civil matters — outstanding fines, community orders, and enforcement proceedings

Daily court listings show the defendant's full name, the prosecuting authority (typically Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary or the CPS), the scheduled courtroom, the listed time, and the case reference number. Overnight custody cases and matters involving children or youth defendants are not published in the public listings, in line with national HMCTS guidelines.

Court Hours, Contact Details & Getting There

Portsmouth Magistrates Court is open Monday to Friday, with hearings typically beginning from 9:00am. Counter services are available for urgent enquiries from 9:00am to 4:00pm (4:30pm closing on most days, earlier on Fridays). Telephone enquiries are answered Monday to Friday between 9:00am and 5:00pm.

Key Contact Information

• Address: The Law Courts, Winston Churchill Avenue, Portsmouth, PO1 2DQ
• General Enquiries: 0330 808 4407 (Crime Customer Service Centre, Mon–Fri 8:30am–5pm, Sat 8:30am–2pm)
• Family Court: 0239 289 3015 / 0239 289 3016
• Fines & Payments: 0300 123 9252
• Witness Service: 0300 332 1000
• Single Justice Service: 0300 303 0656 (Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm)
• Listing Enquiries Email: [email protected]
• General Email: [email protected]

Getting to Portsmouth Magistrates Court

The court is centrally located in Portsmouth city centre, making it straightforward to reach by public transport or car. Portsmouth & Southsea railway station is approximately a 10-minute walk via Winston Churchill Avenue. Regular bus services connect the court with Fareham, Gosport, Havant, and the wider Hampshire area. For those driving, pay-and-display car parking is available nearby on Winston Churchill Avenue and in adjacent NCP car parks. If you have a disability and require assistance attending a hearing, contact the court on 0330 808 4407 in advance of your attendance.

Understanding the Portsmouth Magistrates Court Daily Listings

Magistrates court lists in England and Wales are published daily. Monday listings (and Saturday listings where applicable) are made available on Fridays. Each list contains the defendant's full name, the body bringing the prosecution, the courtroom number, the hearing time, and the case number. Lists are typically published at the end of the preceding day and remain live for 24 hours. If no list is published for a particular day, it generally means no sittings are scheduled — but you can confirm directly with the court at the contact details above.

Portsmouth Magistrates Court handles both morning and afternoon sittings depending on the volume of listed cases. Busy courtrooms — particularly those dealing with custody cases and overnight remands — begin their lists from 9:00am sharp. Crown Court committals and cases sent to Portsmouth Crown Court also originate in the magistrates listing process, making this a critical gateway court for serious criminal matters across Hampshire.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the address of Portsmouth Magistrates Court?

Portsmouth Magistrates Court is located at The Law Courts, Winston Churchill Avenue, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 2DQ.

What time does Portsmouth Magistrates Court open?

The court opens at 8:30am (court building) and 9:00am (counter services), Monday to Friday. Telephone enquiries are handled from 9:00am to 5:00pm on weekdays.

What types of cases are heard at Portsmouth Magistrates Court?

The court hears summary offences, either-way offences, family cases, fine enforcement, Single Justice Procedure cases, and preliminary hearings for more serious indictable matters that are subsequently sent to Portsmouth Crown Court.

Can I find out who is in Portsmouth Magistrates Court today?

Yes. Daily magistrates court listings are published on this page. Each list includes the defendant's name, prosecution authority, courtroom, hearing time, and case number. Youth and overnight custody cases are not published in the public listings.

Which courts serve the Portsmouth area?

Portsmouth Magistrates Court serves Portsmouth and much of the Hampshire coastal area, including Fareham and Gosport. More serious criminal cases are committed to Portsmouth Crown Court. Nearby magistrates courts include those serving West Hampshire