Court Hearings in the High Court and County Court

This guidance is for you if you have received notice from the court to attend a hearing, either for your own case, or as a witness in a case.

The hearing may take place in either a court room or in the judge's room. Hearings can either be 'in public' or 'in private', which is decided by the judge.

Members of the public are allowed to be present at a hearing in public if there is sufficient room, and at a hearing in private, only the people involved in the case (called 'parties'), their witnesses and solicitors, can be present.

If you are worried about appearing in court, would like to avoid contact with the other party while you are waiting or would like a tour of the court beforehand, you can contact the Customer Service Officer of the court in advance.

I have been asked to be a witness - what do I do? (Leaflet EX341)

Coming to a court hearing? Some things you should know (Leaflet EX342)