Two courts exist in Swindon. These are:

Swindon Magistrates' Court

What a Magistrates' Court Does

Magistrates' Courts:

• Hear, and make judgements on, criminal cases and some non-criminal / civil cases.
• Deal with around 95% of all criminal cases in England and Wales.

Individual Magistrates:

• Are also called Justice of the Peace (JP).
• Volunteer from literally every walk of life.
• Are often not legally qualified but undertake extensive training in order to be able to fullfil their duties.
• Commit to sit in Court for a minimum of 26 half-days per year.

Most of the public who come into contact with the court system will do so with the Magistrates' Court. They tend not to deal with 'headline grabbing' cases. They are, however, a vital cog in the wheel of justice, and nearly all of the UK's criminals will pass through their doors.

In a complex society, governed by a many rules, the Magistrates' Courts perform a fast and relatively cheap public service, handling everything from common assault to driving offences of varying types.

Swindon Magistrates' Court Address

Swindon Magistrates Court
Princes Street
Swindon
Wiltshire
SN1 2JB

DX: 118725 Swindon 7
Tel: 01793 699800
Fax: 01793 433740

Map showing Magistrates Court location (opens in a separate window).

Further Information

For further information about Magistrates and Magistrates Courts please visit the Direct.Gov website (www.direct.gov.uk/magistrates).

Swindon Crown Court

What a Crown Court Does

Crown Courts are subtly different to Magistrates' Courts. In general Crown Courts:

1. Were officially set-up in 1972.
2. Sit at 90 centres across England and Wales.
3. Hear appeals from sentences handed out in Magistrates' Courts.
4. Hold trials by jury for the most serious crimes.

The Crown Court deals with all serious offences triable before a judge and jury, and these include murder, rape, serious assault, kidnapping, conspiracy, fraud, armed robbery, and Official Secrets Act offences.

Swindon is just one of more than 90 Crown Court centres throughout England and Wales. These centres are divided into six 'circuits'.

The Crown Court is also the appeal court against convictions and sentences by Magistrates. When appealing against conviction, the Crown Court judge re-hears all the evidence that witnesses have already given in the lower court, but there is no jury.

Swindon Crown Court Address

Swindon Crown Court
The Law Courts
Islington Street
Swindon
Wiltshire
SN1 2HG

DX: 98430 Swindon 5
Tel: 01793 690500
Fax: 01793 690535

Map showing Combined Court location (opens in a separate window)