How to Read a Crown Court Cause List
A complete guide to reading and understanding Crown Court daily cause lists. Learn what each column means, how to find a specific case, and what the different list types are.
A Crown Court cause list is the official schedule of cases to be heard on a given day. Published by HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS), it tells solicitors, barristers, defendants, witnesses, and journalists which cases are listed, in which courtroom, and before which judge.
Crown Court cause lists are published the afternoon before a hearing day and may be revised on the morning of the hearing. Understanding how to read one is essential for anyone involved in criminal proceedings or court reporting.
What You'll Find on a Crown Court Cause List
- The case reference number (e.g. T20227001), which uniquely identifies the case
- Defendant names — one or more individuals charged
- The courtroom number where the hearing will take place
- The scheduled hearing time (usually from 10:00 AM)
- The hearing type — trial, sentencing, mention, PCMH, or appeal
- The presiding judge's name
- The prosecuting authority (usually CPS)
- Any reporting restrictions that apply
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Get AlertsThree Types of Crown Court List
HMCTS publishes three distinct types of Crown Court listing, each serving a different purpose. Understanding the difference helps you plan your attendance and preparation.
Crown Court List Types
| List Type | When Published | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Daily List | Afternoon before the hearing day | Confirmed cases for tomorrow. This is the definitive list of what will be heard. |
| Firm List | Several days in advance | Cases with a confirmed date. Less likely to change than the warned list, but still subject to amendment. |
| Warned List | Up to a week in advance | Cases that may be called at short notice. Defendants and solicitors must be ready to attend. |
Daily List vs Firm List
The daily list is the most reliable — it confirms exactly which cases will be heard tomorrow. The firm list gives earlier notice but cases can still be moved. The warned list means 'be ready' — your case could be called at any point during the warned period.
How to Find a Specific Case
- Get the case reference. Every Crown Court case has a unique reference number (e.g. T20227001). If you don't have it, search by the defendant's surname.
- Check the correct court. Cases are listed by court. If you know which Crown Court the case is at, go directly to that court's listings page.
- Search the daily list. The daily list is published the afternoon before. Search for the case reference or defendant name. On CauseAlert, you can search across all 74 Crown Courts at once.
- Set up an alert. If the case isn't yet listed, set up a free alert. You'll be notified by email or SMS when it appears on any cause list.
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Solicitors and journalists use CauseAlert to monitor cases across all 74 Crown Courts. Get notified when listings change — time, courtroom, or judge updates arrive instantly.
Start free — 2 alerts includedUnderstanding Hearing Types
Crown Court cause lists include a hearing type for each case. This tells you the purpose of the hearing and helps you estimate how long it will last.
Common Crown Court Hearing Types
| Hearing Type | What It Means | Typical Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Trial | Full trial with jury. Evidence is heard and a verdict reached. | 1 day to several weeks |
| Sentencing | The defendant has been found guilty or pleaded guilty. The judge decides the sentence. | 30 minutes to half a day |
| PCMH (Plea and Case Management Hearing) | Pre-trial hearing where the defendant enters a plea and the court sets a trial timetable. | 30 minutes to 1 hour |
| Mention | Brief administrative hearing to deal with procedural matters. | 5 to 15 minutes |
| Bail Application | Application to release the defendant from custody before trial. | 15 to 30 minutes |
| Appeal | Appeal against conviction or sentence from the Magistrates Court. | Half day to full day |
Reporting Restrictions
Some cases on the Crown Court cause list carry reporting restrictions. These are legal orders that limit what can be published about a case. They are indicated on the cause list and must be observed by journalists and anyone publishing information about the proceedings.
Automatic restrictions apply in cases involving sexual offences (protecting the identity of complainants) and youth defendants (under 18). Discretionary restrictions may be imposed by the judge under various statutory powers.
If a case has reporting restrictions, the cause list will note this. Always check before publishing any details about a case.
Automatic Reporting Restrictions
Sexual offence cases automatically protect the complainant's identity under the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992. Youth cases are protected under Section 45 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999. These apply without a specific court order.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time are Crown Court cause lists published?
Crown Court daily lists are typically published by 4pm the afternoon before the hearing day. They may be revised on the morning of the hearing, so always check for updates.
Can I attend a Crown Court hearing?
Most Crown Court hearings are open to the public. You can attend by arriving at the court and finding the correct courtroom from the daily list. Some hearings may be held remotely or in private — check the listing notes.
What does 'warned list' mean in Crown Court?
The warned list contains cases that may be called at short notice during a specified period. If your case is on the warned list, you must be ready to attend court when contacted. Cases move from the warned list to the firm list and then the daily list as the hearing date is confirmed.
How do I find which courtroom my case is in?
The courtroom number is listed on the daily cause list next to your case reference. Courtrooms are also displayed on screens inside the court building. If your case has been moved, check for a revised list or ask at the court counter.
What is the difference between CPS and the prosecuting authority?
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) prosecutes most criminal cases in England and Wales. However, other bodies can also prosecute — including the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), and local authorities. The prosecuting authority is listed on the cause list.
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Create free accountData sourced from HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS), an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice. Court information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Crown copyright.