Crawley Magistrates' Court — self-representation guide

A calm, practical guide to representing yourself at Crawley Magistrates' Court. Written in plain English, covering the building, the case types it hears, and where Crawley-area family work is dealt with. Nothing here replaces tailored legal advice for your own situation.

REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-31

The essentials first

Official name: Crawley Magistrates' Court
Address: The Law Courts, Woodfield Road, Crawley, West Sussex RH10 8BF
Enquiries: 0330 808 4407 (Courts and Tribunals Service Centre, magistrates' business)
Administrative centre: Sussex Magistrates' Administration Centre, Edward Street, Brighton BN2 0LG
IMPORTANT for family cases: Crawley Magistrates' Court is a criminal magistrates' venue. Family proceedings for the Crawley area are handled by the family courts — Horsham County Court and Family Court (The Law Courts, Hurst Road, Horsham RH12 2ET) is the nearest dedicated family venue. Check your papers.
Verified: 2026-08-31, from the official HMCTS "Find a Court or Tribunal" listing.

What Crawley Magistrates' Court handles

This venue deals with criminal magistrates' business for the Crawley area: summary offences, either-way first appearances, and some single justice procedure work. If you are involved in a family case — child arrangements, non-molestation orders, occupation orders — your case will almost certainly be listed at Horsham County Court and Family Court or another family venue, not here. Magistrates' courts can sit for certain family proceedings in principle, but the listing notice tells you where you must attend.

Getting there

The Law Courts on Woodfield Road are close to Crawley town centre, a short walk from Crawley railway station and the bus interchange. Three Bridges station is also nearby. Allow time for town-centre parking.

The security reality

Expect airport-style security; bags are searched.
Arrive at least 45 minutes early.
Courts can feel intimidating. Staff and the Witness Service are there to help — say what you need.

Facilities

If you have a disability and need help coming to a hearing, contact the court in advance.
Need an interpreter? Ask the court well in advance.

Contacting the court (published by HMCTS)

0330 808 4407 — Enquiries (Courts and Tribunals Service Centre)
0300 303 0656 — Single Justice Service Centre (Single Justice Procedure cases)
0300 123 9252 — fine queries / enforcement (see your correspondence for the right route)

If your case is a family case

1. Look at your papers — the venue named there is where you go. 2. For Crawley-area family work, expect Horsham County Court and Family Court: https://www.find-court-tribunal.service.gov.uk/courts/horsham-county-court-and-family-court 3. See our Horsham guide for building details, security and preparation.

Useful official links

Official listing: https://www.find-court-tribunal.service.gov.uk/courts/crawley-magistrates-court
GOV.UK — going to court as a witness or victim: https://www.gov.uk/going-to-court-victim-witness
GOV.UK — family court hearings: https://www.gov.uk/family-court-hearings

Content verified against the official HMCTS court directory, gov.uk forms and fees pages, and the professional body registers (SRA, FMC, Bar Council). Last reviewed September 2026.

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