Staines Magistrates’ Court and Family Court

All criminal cases brought before the courts start at a Magistrates’ Court. Staines Magistrates’ Court and Family Court specialises in cases involving children, divorce, domestic violence and housing possession.

Cases are heard by either:

• 2 or 3 magistrates
• a district judge

There is not a jury in a magistrates’ court.

A magistrates’ court normally handles cases known as ‘summary offences’, for example:

• most motoring offences
• minor criminal damage
• common assault (not causing significant injury)

It can also deal with some of the more serious offences, such as:

• burglary
• drugs offences

These are called ‘either way’ offences and can be heard either in a magistrates’ court or a Crown Court.

Magistrates’ courts always pass the most serious crimes to the Crown Court, for example:

• murder
• rape
• robbery

These are known as ‘indictable offences’.

Local Car Parks:

The Causeway, Staines Upon Thames, TW18 3AP
Pooley Green, TW20 AHB
Bridge Street car park, TW18 4TG

Train Station:

Egham Train Station, TW20 9LB
Staines Train Station, TW18 4LY

Local Food outlets:

A tea bar is available, open every morning. There are alternative food outlets within walking distance.

Opening Hours:

Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm

Email:

Admin: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Enforcement: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Phone:

Enquiries: 01483 405 300
Fine queries: 01622 680 070
Fax: 0870 7395837
Witness service: 0300 332 1000

Staines Magistrates and Family Court security

You must go through security to enter a court or tribunal building. Your bags and pockets will be checked like they would be at an airport. This may include:

• emptying your pockets into a tray
• taking off your shoes, coat, gloves or hat
• moving your belt
• walking through an archway detector or being checked with a handheld scanner

If you’re wearing a head covering for religious or cultural reasons, you can ask for it to be checked with a handheld scanner so you do not have to take it off.

Items you can take in:

• Unopened drinks in cartons and cans
• Drinks in a plastic bottle or a disposable cup with a lid
• Medicines you have a prescription for

If your drink is opened or in a plastic bottle, you’ll be asked to drink some to prove it is not harmful.

Items you are not allowed to take in:

You also cannot take in items that security staff think could be used as a weapon, even if you think they’re harmless.

These include things like:

• blades, such as scissors, penknives and razors
• other sharp items, such as knitting needles and darts
• glass, for example bottles
• metal cutlery
• syringes (unless you have a prescription)
• toy guns and other things that look like guns
• tools, for example screwdrivers, hammers and nails
• ropes and chains
• alcohol
• liquids that are not drinks or prescription medicine, such as oils, perfumes lighter refills and cleaning products
• full-length umbrellas

Building Facilities:

• Public parking is available nearby this court.
• This building has level access to the building entrance and the court room.
• Assistance dogs are welcome.
• The building has hearing enhancement facilities available by prior arrangement. Please contact the Court office by telephone or email if necessary.
•  A tea bar is available, open every morning.
• Four interview rooms are available at this court. These rooms cannot be booked in advance but if you would like the use of one please see the receptionist on the day of the hearing.
• Baby changing facilities are available in the disabled toilets on the ground floor.
• Court/hearing room video conferencing facilities and prison to court video link facilities are available (by prior arrangement)