Weymouth Magistrates’ Court Listings

Weymouth Magistrates Court, part of the Weymouth Combined Court Centre, handles a wide range of criminal and civil matters serving the town of Weymouth and the surrounding Dorset coastline. Situated in the heart of the town near the inner harbour, the court processes hundreds of cases each year covering everything from motoring offences and minor criminal matters to more complex summary and either-way cases. Whether you are a defendant, legal professional, journalist, or member of the public, this page provides up-to-date court listings, essential contact information, and practical guidance for attending hearings in Weymouth.

About Weymouth Magistrates Court

Weymouth is a combined court centre, meaning the magistrates' court, county court, and family court all operate from the same building — The Law Courts on Westwey Road, overlooking the inner harbour and marina. The magistrates' court at Weymouth holds jurisdiction over the local Dorset area, including the Isle of Portland, Chickerell, Dorchester, and surrounding coastal communities. It operates under the jurisdiction of His Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) and deals with the majority of criminal cases in the region before they are either resolved locally or committed upward to the Crown Court.

Court Address & Contact Details

Address: The Law Courts, Westwey Road, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 8BS

Magistrates Court Enquiries: 0330 808 4407 (Monday–Friday, 8:30am–5pm; Saturday 8am–2pm)

Email (Magistrates Court): [email protected]

General Crime Enquiries: [email protected]

Witness Service: 0300 332 1185

Fines & Payments: 0300 123 9252

DX: 98820 Weymouth 3

Court Location Code: 1530

Opening Hours

Court Building: Monday to Friday, 8:30am – 4:00pm

Magistrates' Court Sittings: Monday to Thursday, 8:30am – 4:00pm; Friday, 9:00am – 4:00pm

Telephone Enquiries: Monday to Friday, 9:30am – 3:30pm

Cases Heard at Weymouth Magistrates Court

Weymouth Magistrates Court deals with the full spectrum of summary offences and many either-way offences. Common cases heard include road traffic violations, speeding, driving without insurance, drink-driving, minor assault, theft, anti-social behaviour, public order offences, benefit fraud, and licensing matters. The court also holds family proceedings and civil hearings within the combined court centre. Youth cases (involving defendants under 18) are also heard here, though these are not listed publicly to protect the identity of young people involved.

Types of Proceedings

1. Summary criminal offences (road traffic, minor assault, petty theft)
2. Either-way offences (before committal decision to Crown Court)
3. Remand and bail hearings
4. Single Justice Procedure cases (e.g. TV licence, minor road traffic matters)
5. Domestic abuse and restraining order applications
6. Youth court proceedings
7. Warrant applications and enforcement matters

More serious cases that cannot be resolved at magistrates' level — such as serious assaults, robbery, or complex fraud — are sent upward to the Crown Court. The nearest Crown Court to Weymouth is Winchester Crown Court, which handles trials and sentencing for the most serious Dorset cases.

Getting to Weymouth Magistrates Court

The court sits at a prime central location in Weymouth, just off the town harbour on Westwey Road — making it accessible from most parts of the town and surrounding villages. Weymouth is well served by both rail and bus links, making attendance straightforward for those travelling from across Dorset.

By Train

Weymouth Railway Station is served by South Western Railway and Great Western Railway, with regular services to and from London Waterloo, Bournemouth, Southampton, and Bristol. From Weymouth Station, the court is approximately a 10-minute walk along the harbour front, or a short taxi ride. Train times can be checked via National Rail at nationalrail.co.uk.

By Bus

Several bus routes stop close to the court on Westwey Road, including routes 1 (Portland), 3, 8 (Chickerell), X53 (Bridport), and 12. The nearest bus stop is Magistrates Court stop (just 152 metres away, a 2-minute walk). Dorset's First Wessex and other operators run frequent services throughout the day from the town centre and outlying areas.

By Car & Parking

Weymouth has several public car parks close to the court. The Magistrates Court Car Park on Newstead Road (DT4 0AY) is located near the Westwey Road building, but note it is only open for public use on Saturdays, Sundays, and Bank Holidays. On weekdays, visitors should use one of the town's Pay & Display car parks near the harbour or Weymouth town centre. Disabled parking bays are available nearby; those with disabilities who require assistance attending a hearing should call 0330 808 4407 in advance.

Weymouth Court Listings: What to Expect

Daily magistrates court listings for Weymouth are published each working day. The public list includes the defendant's full name, the prosecuting authority (e.g. Dorset Police, DVLA, or CPS), the courtroom number, the listed hearing time, and the case reference number. Lists are typically published in the afternoon for the following day's sittings. Mondays' lists are published on the preceding Friday. Cases involving youths (under 18) and overnight custody cases are not published on the public list.

If you are looking for information about a case not appearing in the public list — such as a youth matter or an overnight remand hearing — you should contact the court directly on 0330 808 4407 or email [email protected]. Legal professionals requiring enhanced listing access may wish to use professional court listing services.

Single Justice Procedure at Weymouth

Many routine cases at Weymouth — particularly road traffic offences, TV licence evasion, and similar matters — are handled under the Single Justice Procedure (SJP). These do not require a defendant to attend court in person and are decided by a single magistrate. SJP lists are published separately. For SJP enquiries, contact [email protected] or call 0300 303 0656.

Weymouth: Local Context

Weymouth is a historic seaside town on Dorset's Jurassic Coast, with a population of approximately 53,000. The town has a rich maritime heritage and was one of England's earliest seaside resorts, famously visited by King George III in the 18th century. Policing for the area is the responsibility of Dorset Police, headquartered in Winfrith, and the local policing teams covering Weymouth and Portland are among the main prosecuting authorities for cases brought before the magistrates' court. The court's jurisdiction extends across Weymouth, Portland, and parts of South Dorset.

For court listings covering other Dorset and South West courts, you may also find the following pages useful: Poole Magistrates Court Listings and Salisbury Magistrates Court Listings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time does Weymouth Magistrates Court open?

The court building opens Monday to Friday at 8:30am. Magistrates' Court sittings run Monday to Thursday from 8:30am to 4:00pm, and on Fridays from 9:00am to 4:00pm. Telephone enquiries are answered between 9:30am and 3:30pm on weekdays.

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

Daily public court listings for Weymouth are published on this page. You can check the listings above to see which defendants are scheduled to appear, the court number, and their hearing time. If a case is not listed — for example a youth case or overnight remand — contact the court directly on 0330 808 4407.

Where is Weymouth Magistrates Court?

Weymouth Magistrates Court is located at The Law Courts, Westwey Road, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 8BS — near the town's inner harbour and marina.

What cases are heard at Weymouth Magistrates Court?

The court handles summary criminal offences, either-way offences, road traffic matters, bail and remand hearings, youth court cases, and Single Justice Procedure cases. More serious cases may be sent to Winchester Crown Court.

Can I attend a hearing at Weymouth Magistrates Court?

Yes. Magistrates' court hearings are generally open to the public unless the court orders otherwise (e.g. youth cases or cases involving sensitive evidence). You do not need to book — simply attend during court hours. If you have a disability and need assistance, call 0330 808 4407 before attending.