Preston Magistrates' Court Listings

About Preston Magistrates Court

Preston Magistrates Court is one of Lancashire's busiest lower courts, serving the city of Preston and the surrounding areas of Central Lancashire. Situated in the heart of Preston city centre, the court deals with a high volume of criminal, civil, and regulatory cases every week. Whether you are a legal professional, a member of the public, or a journalist, accessing the daily hearings list gives you a clear, up-to-date picture of proceedings taking place at this court.

The court is located at Lawson Street, Preston, PR1 2QT, just minutes from Preston Railway Station and the city's main bus interchange — making it accessible by public transport from across Lancashire. Preston's central position within the North West means the court draws cases not only from the city itself but also from surrounding districts including South Ribble, Chorley, and the Fylde Coast.

Court Opening Times and Contact Details

If you need to contact the court or attend a hearing in person, the details below will help you plan your visit.

• Address: Lawson Street, Preston, PR1 2QT
• Court open: Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm
• Telephone enquiries: 0330 808 4407 (Monday–Friday 8:30am–5pm; Saturday 8am–2pm)
• General email: contactcrime@justice.gov.uk
• Lancashire Magistrates enquiries: LancsMcEnq@justice.gov.uk
• Video hearings/booking: lancsmagslisting@justice.gov.uk
• Single Justice Service: SJS@justice.gov.uk
• Witness Service: 0300 332 1000
• DX: 318201 Preston 33
• Court location code: 1790

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.

Types of Cases Heard at Preston Magistrates Court

Preston Magistrates Court handles the full range of summary and either-way criminal offences. As the first point of entry for the majority of criminal proceedings in the Lancashire justice system, the court processes hundreds of cases each month. Key case types include:

• Summary offences — minor criminal matters such as motoring offences, public order incidents, and low-level assault
• Either-way offences — offences including theft, drugs possession, and lower-level fraud that can be tried either at magistrates or crown court level
• Indictable-only offences — serious charges such as murder, rape, and robbery which are heard briefly at magistrates court before being sent to Preston Crown Court for trial
• Road traffic matters — including drink-driving, speeding, and driving without insurance
• Single Justice Procedure (SJP) cases — low-level offences such as TV licence evasion and minor motoring matters dealt with by a single magistrate
• Bail hearings and remand decisions
• Domestic violence and restraining order applications

Preston has historically been a significant legal centre for Lancashire. The county's quarter sessions — predecessors to today's crown and magistrates courts — were traditionally held at Preston, reflecting the city's long-standing status as Lancashire's county town and administrative hub.

Getting to Preston Magistrates Court

Preston Magistrates Court on Lawson Street is straightforward to reach by rail or road. Preston Railway Station is approximately a 10-minute walk away, with direct services from Manchester, Liverpool, Blackpool, and Lancaster. The station is also served by TransPennine Express and Avanti West Coast intercity routes. For those travelling by bus, Preston Bus Station — one of the largest in Europe — is located nearby, with services connecting to Blackburn, Chorley, Leyland, and the wider Fylde Coast. Limited parking is available in the surrounding city centre car parks.

Nearby Courts in Lancashire

If you are looking for listings from other Lancashire courts, you may also find the following pages useful:

• Blackburn Magistrates Court Listings
• Burnley Magistrates Court Listings

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find out who is in Preston Magistrates Court today?

You can view the daily Preston Magistrates Court listings on this page. Lists are typically published on working days and show scheduled hearings including defendant names, case types, and courtroom numbers. Listings are updated regularly throughout the day, so check back if the information you need is not yet available.

What time does Preston Magistrates Court open?

The court is open Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm. Telephone enquiries are answered during the same hours, and the court's enquiry line (0330 808 4407) also operates on Saturdays from 8:00am to 2:00pm.

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

Yes. Magistrates court hearings in England and Wales are generally open to the public, unless the court has specifically ordered otherwise (for example in cases involving youth defendants or sensitive matters). You do not need to be a party to the case to attend as an observer.

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

Preston Magistrates Court deals with less serious criminal offences and early-stage hearings for more serious matters. Preston Crown Court, located at Openshaw Place, Ring Way, Preston, PR1 2LL, handles serious criminal trials before a judge and jury, as well as appeals from the magistrates court. You can view Preston Crown Court listings separately on this site.

How do I contact Preston Magistrates Court about my case?

For general criminal enquiries, email contactcrime@justice.gov.uk or call 0330 808 4407. If your case reference is a 10-digit number, use LancsMcEnq@justice.gov.uk. For Single Justice Procedure queries, contact SJS@justice.gov.uk or call 0300 303 0656.