Bexley Magistrates Court

WHAT IS THE ADDRESS FOR BEXLEY MAGISTRATES COURT?

The following address is the one that you will need to attend for your hearing:-

Bexley Magistrates Court

Norwich Place
Bexleyheath
DA6 7ND

If you just want to write to the court then you should use the following address;-

Bromley Magistrates Court
The Court House
1 London Road
Bromley
BR1 1RA

If you do write to the court then you should put your case reference on any letter.

HOW TO TRAVEL TO BEXLEY MAGISTRATES COURT BY TRAIN?

You can reach Bexley Magistrates Court by taking a train to Bexleyheath rail station. From the train station to the court it is then a short walk.

CAN I PARK AT BEXLEY MAGISTRATES COURT?

You cannot park at the court itself.  However there is nearby parking you can pay for at Broadway Square and Albion Road.  It would then be a short walk to the court.

WHAT TIME IS BEXLEY MAGISTRATES COURT OPEN?

The court is open Monday to Friday from 9.30am till 4.40pm apart from on bank holidays.

The court counter is where you can give in documentation, or get information, about your case.  The opening times for the court counter are in the morning 9am to 11am, and in the afternoon from 1.30pm to 2.30pm.

WHAT IS THE EMAIL ADRESS FOR BEXLEY MAGISTRATES COURT?

General enquiries: southlondonmc@justice.gov.uk.

Fine enquiries: lccccollectionunit@hmcts.gsi.gov.uk

WHAT ARE THE PHONE NUMBERS FOR BEXLEY MAGISTRATES COURT?

General enquiries: - 0300 303 0645

Fine enquiries:-        0300 123 9252, 0300 790 9901

Witness service:-     0300 332 1118

WHAT TYPE OF OFFENCES ARE DEALT WITH BY BEXLEY MAGISTRATES COURT?

Bexley Magistrates Court covers a broad range of different allegations.  These could include offences for which you can’t be sent to prison such as speeding, using a mobile phone while driving, or driving with no insurance.  However, the court also deals with more serious imprisonable offences such as failing to stop / report after an accident, dangerous driving and drink driving.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO BEXLEY MAGISTRATES COURT?

When you come to the court you should have with you:-

1. Your court hearing notification letter that says the date and time that you are to appear at court.  Your case number will be on this letter.  This case number will be useful for finding out which court room your hearing will take place in.
2. Any documents in support of your case, for example character references. Also if you have a trial you may want to bring copies of the prosecution witness statements with you to court.
3. It may be a good idea to bring some food and drink with you because you may have a long wait and the court may not sell these.

You are not allowed to take anything made of glass or any alcohol to the court.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR AT BEXLEY MAGISTRATES COURT?

There are no actual rules about what you should wear, however, the court likes you to look smart. Dressing as you would for a job interview is normally a good idea.

WHAT TIME SHOULD I ARRIVE AT BEXLEY MAGISTRATES COURT?

You should arrive at the court at least 30 minutes before the start time of your hearing mentioned in your letter.   However, if you arrive too early you may be told to come back nearer to your hearing time, particularly if the court is busy.

HOW LONG WILL I HAVE TO WAIT AT BEXLEY MAGISTRATES COURT?

There will be many other cases listed to take place at the same time as yours.  The court will normally hear cases in the order in which they become ready.  As soon as you feel ready to go into court you should notify the court usher (the person in the long black gown).  However, sometimes the court will decide to hear, what it believes are, more important cases than your’s first and there could be a long wait. Therefore, it is best if you make sure that you are available for the entire day.  You should notify your employer that you may not be coming into work at all that day and organise any childcare that may be necessary.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I ARRIVE AT BEXLEY MAGISTRATES COURT?

When you walk in through the court entrance you will have to go through airport like security. This will involve you having to empty your pockets and put the contents in a plastic tray. You will then have to walk through a an archway detector and finally a security guard will scan you with a handheld scanner.  The security staff will also look inside any bags you have.

After you have been through security you need to report to reception and give your name.  You will then be told which courtroom is hearing your case. Let the usher for that particular courtroom know that you have arrived.  When you feel ready to go into court again let the usher know.

If you need to speak to your solicitor before the hearing takes place there are many interview rooms that you can use to have a private consultation.

WHO WILL BE IN THE COURTROOM DURING MY HEARING AT BEXLEY MAGISTRATES COURT?

As well as you, normally, there will be three magistrates, their legal advisor, a prosecuting lawyer, and your solicitor if you have one.  Occasionally, the magistrates are replaced a single district judge.

WHAT WILL BE THE COURT PROCEDURE DURING MY HEARING AT BEXLEY MAGISTRATES COURT?

The following link gives detailed information on what you can expect to happen during your hearing.  The article deals with what procedure will be followed if you are accused of a speeding offence but the format will be similar for other offences:-

What happens in a Magistrates Court hearing for a speeding allegation?

AM I ALLOWED TO BRING ANYONE WITH ME TO BEXLEY MAGISTRATES COURT?

You can bring friends and family to the court to give you moral support.  They may be allowed to sit in the public gallery in the courtroom and watch the hearing provided that there are not too many of them.  If they do this please tell them to make sure their mobile phones are switched off throughout the hearing.

Please bear in mind that the court doesn’t offer child care facilities and the court staff will not look after your child during your hearing.

If you have a trial please make sure that any witnesses that you have in support of your case don’t arrive late.  Also please remember that they are not allowed to be present in the courtroom at the start of your trial and they will have to wait in the court hall to be called in by the usher,

SHOULD I HAVE A SOLICITOR TO REPRESENT ME AT MY HEARING AT BEXLEY MAGISTRATES COURT?

It is advisable to have a solicitor at court to represent you.  If there is a likelihood that you will receive a prison sentence then, provided you don’t earn too much, you may be eligible for legal aid.  However, for offences of a more minor nature, such as the vast majority of motoring allegations, you will not be entitled to legal aid and you would have to pay for any representation privately. Even if you are not sure if you actually need a lawyer in the courtroom it can be very useful to speak to a motoring law expert first and get some advice.  Speeding Law Solicitors specialise in motoring matters and will give free initial advice over the phone.  They offer very reasonable fixed fees so that you know finically exactly where you stand. Call their founding solicitor Philip Hatvany now on 0800 9098110.

The following article: Do I Need A Solicitor At My Court Hearing For A Motoring Offence?” may help you decide if you wish to use a solicitor.