Romford Magistrates’ Court Listings

About Romford Magistrates Court

Romford Magistrates Court is one of east London's most active lower courts, serving the London Borough of Havering and surrounding areas of the historic county of Essex. Situated at Main Road, Romford, RM1 3BH, the court handles a high volume of criminal, civil, and family proceedings each week. It forms part of the wider Thames Valley & London magistrates court network and is administered under His Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS). For written correspondence, the Central Administration Centre is located at Thames Magistrates' Court, 58 Bow Road, London, E3 4DJ.

Court Opening Times & Contact Details

The court is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, and is closed on weekends and public holidays. Hearings typically begin from 9:00 am. The public telephone line for general enquiries is available from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday.

• General enquiries: 0300 303 0645
• Fine payments: 0300 790 9901
• Fine enquiries: 0300 123 9252
• Citizens Advice (in-court): 01708 794262
• General email: [email protected]
• Citizens Advice email: [email protected]

Cases Heard at Romford Magistrates Court

As a magistrates court, Romford hears a broad range of criminal and civil matters. The bench — made up of trained lay magistrates or a district judge — has the authority to sentence up to 12 months' imprisonment for a single offence and impose unlimited fines. Cases heard at this court include:

• Summary-only criminal offences (e.g. minor assaults, motoring offences, criminal damage, theft)
• Either-way offences at the pre-trial and allocation stage (e.g. fraud, drug offences, burglary)
• Bail applications and remand hearings
• Domestic violence protection orders and restraining orders
• TV licence evasion, council tax enforcement, and other civil recovery proceedings
• Youth court hearings for defendants under 18
• First appearances for indictable offences before committal to the Crown Court

Serious either-way or indictable offences that exceed the sentencing powers of the magistrates are committed upward to Chelmsford Crown Court or a designated London Crown Court such as Snaresbrook Crown Court.

Location, Transport & Getting to Court

Romford Magistrates Court is conveniently located in the heart of Romford town centre, making it one of the most accessible courts in east London and outer Essex. Romford Rail Station (Elizabeth line & TfL Rail) is approximately a 5-minute walk away, providing fast connections from Liverpool Street and central London. Several bus routes — including the 66, 86, 165, 174, and 496 — stop within walking distance of the court building. For those travelling by car, the A12 and A118 provide direct road access to Romford; paid public car parks are available nearby on Mercury Gardens and Dolphin Approach. The court does not have dedicated public parking on-site.

History of Romford Magistrates Court

Romford has a long legal heritage stretching back centuries, when the town served as a key market and administrative centre in the county of Essex. The modern magistrates court at Main Road replaced earlier petty sessional divisions and was formally incorporated into the greater London court network following the Local Government Act 1972 and the subsequent reorganisation of the London Borough of Havering. Today, Romford Magistrates Court continues to serve a population of over 260,000 residents across Havering and handles thousands of cases per year, reflecting the borough's growth as one of outer London's most populous districts. Historical court records for earlier Romford sessions are held at the Essex Record Office, Wharf Road, Chelmsford, CM2 6YT (Tel: 01245 244 644).

Today's Romford Magistrates Court Listings

Our daily listings are updated each morning to reflect confirmed hearings published for Romford Magistrates Court. Use this page to check who is in court today, review scheduled defendants, bail hearings, and sentencing results. Lists are typically published by 5:00 pm for the following court day. If a listing has not yet appeared, contact the court directly using the number above.

If you are looking for hearings at nearby courts, you may also find it useful to check the Thames Magistrates Court listings or the Barkingside Magistrates Court listings, both of which hear cases from adjoining east London areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time does Romford Magistrates Court open?

The court building opens at 8:30 am Monday to Friday. Most hearings begin at 9:00 am or 10:00 am. Always check your hearing notice for your specific listed time.

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

Daily listings for Romford Magistrates Court are published on this page and updated each morning. You can also contact the court directly on 0300 303 0645 between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday.

What is the address of Romford Magistrates Court?

The court is located at Main Road, Romford, Essex, RM1 3BH. For administrative correspondence, write to the Central Administration Centre, Thames Magistrates' Court, 58 Bow Road, London, E3 4DJ.

Which Crown Court does Romford Magistrates Court commit cases to?

Cases exceeding the sentencing powers of Romford Magistrates are typically committed to Snaresbrook Crown Court or Chelmsford Crown Court, depending on the nature and location of the offence.

Can I pay a fine related to Romford Magistrates Court online?

Yes. Fines can be paid by calling 0300 790 9901 or by emailing [email protected]. Online payment options are also available through the HMCTS fine payment portal.