What this tool is for

If you have a court date coming up and you have never been before, this tool gives you a clear list of what to sort out beforehand, what to take with you on the day, and what will actually happen once you arrive.

It is not legal advice, and it will not tell you what to say in your case. It is a practical guide to the logistics and etiquette of attending court in England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland, so you can turn up on time, in the right place, with the right paperwork.

Who should use it

The checklist is aimed at people attending court without a solicitor, or alongside one, who want to feel ready. That includes defendants at a magistrates' or Crown Court hearing, claimants and defendants in small claims or other civil matters, witnesses who have been asked to give evidence, and people attending family court for children or divorce matters.

It is also useful for friends and family coming along as support, and for litigants in person who are running their own case and want a reminder of the practical side, like where to sit, how to address the judge or magistrates, and what happens if you arrive late or miss your hearing.

How it works

You answer a short set of questions about the type of court, your role in the hearing, whether you have legal representation, and how far away your hearing date is. The tool then produces a personalised checklist in plain English, broken down into what to do this week, what to prepare the night before, and what to expect on the morning itself. You can print it, save it, or come back to it later. Nothing you enter is stored against your name, and you do not need to create an account to use it.