Before your hearing
You will receive a letter or email which will explain whether your hearing will be in person, via telephone or video conference.
If it is a virtual hearing, check your technology. Is your internet working? Is your device fully charged?
If you’re going to be on video, make sure your device has a camera.
If your hearing is by telephone, make sure your phone’s volume is on so you can hear when the court calls.
Know when your hearing is and be ready early.
Make sure you are in a quiet place.
Make sure you are alone. It is illegal to record the session or have any unauthorised people with you.
Check the court has your correct contact details so that they are able to contact you on the day of your hearing.
Can I bring someone with me?
If you would like someone to attend the hearing with you, make sure you ask the court in advance as it may be more difficult to dial someone in on the day.
Before you come to court+
It is always a good idea to double-check the letter from the court to make sure that you have got the right location, day and time of your hearing. The letter you received from the court notifying you of the hearing will have had a heading that mentions Peterborough Combined Courts and Family Hearing Centre but DO CHECK further down that letter to find out which court your hearing is at. Ideally, you should aim to arrive at the court at least half an hour before the time you are given. Going to court is stressful enough without worrying that you’re going to be late. Before the day, decide how you are going to get to the court and find out which buses stop nearest, how far you need to walk/cycle, how long it will take you to drive bearing in mind local traffic and also decide where you are going to park and make sure you have change, if needed, to pay for car parking.
Make sure that you have all the necessary documents with you and, if you would like help in sorting these out and putting them into order, you can make an appointment with ARU Law Clinic to assist with this ARU Law Clinic.
Make sure that you have organised childcare that you can rely on so that you do not have to worry about that on the day of your hearing. You also need to make sure that it is for long enough as cases can last longer than expected or be moved from the morning to the afternoon.
It is a good idea to sit down and make a list of the issues that are most important to you so that you can be as focused as possible in the hearing and so that you don't forget anything.
Getting to court+
Parking
Riverside Car Park – 4 minute walk
Car Haven Car Park – 5 minute walk
Wirrina Car Park – 8 minute walk
Queensgate Car Park – 14 minute walk
Brook Street Car Park – 15 minute walk
Bus Routes
The following bus routes stop close to Peterborough Combined Courts and Family Hearing Centre:
1 , 101 , 201 , 24 , 37
**Arriving by Train **
Peterborough train station is approximately 15 minutes' walk from Peterborough Combined Courts and Family Hearing Centre.
Can I bring someone with me?+
You are not automatically entitled to take someone into the court with you if that person is not your solicitor or barrister. If you are speaking for yourself you are known as a Litigant in Person and it is up to the Judge or magistrates whether they allow you to bring someone like a friend or family member into the court with you. If you would like to do this, it is polite to write a short note to the Judge or magistrates requesting this and telling them who you want with you and why. You can give this to the usher when you arrive at the court and ask them to hand it to the Judge or magistrates before your hearing and then you will have to wait for their decision. The usher may also ask you to complete a form giving details of who you want to come in to court with you and why you want to take them in with you.
You can also take someone who is a McKenzie Friend. This is an official name for someone who can sit with you in court taking notes and giving support. As above, the usher may ask you to complete a form giving details of the McKenzie Friend you want to take in with you and why you want to take them in with you. They are not necessarily legally trained and they are allowed to take payment for offering this service. For more information on McKenzie Friends, click here.
When you get to court+
When you arrive at Peterborough Combined Court and Family Hearing Centre, you will have to go through airport-like security. This means that you will have to empty your pockets into a tray, your bags will be checked and you will have to walk through an archway metal detector. If the metal detector beeps, a security officer will scan you with a handheld scanner. The detectors are very sensitive, so do not panic or feel embarrassed if they go off.
In addition, if you are carrying a bottle of water or any other drink, you will be asked to take a sip to prove it is not filled with alcohol or harmful substances. If you are feeling a bit nervous about attending court, be reassured that the security officers make getting through security a stress-free and quick process.
Once through security, you will need to find out which court room your hearing will be in. You should ask the court staff to direct you to the notice board which lists cases and their locations.
Once you have found out where your hearing will be, you need to let the usher know that you have arrived. This is the person sitting at the desk in the waiting area. If you wish to take someone into the hearing with you, you should tell the usher when you arrive who may ask you to fill in a form.
Make sure that you** turn your phone off** before going in to the court room for your hearing as the Judge or magistrates will not appreciate it if you get a call, notification or text whilst they are trying to deal with your case.
There are vending machines within the court building and these sell cold drinks, water and snacks.
The court is fully** accessible **for wheelchair users and there is a lift to the various court rooms.
Assistance dogs are welcome.
Hearing enhancement facilites are available but must be requested well in advance of your hearing date.
Speaking to the other side's lawyer+
If the person on the other side of the case has a lawyer representing them at the hearing, don’t be surprised if that lawyer comes over to speak to you. If you are on you own, without a lawyer, it is their duty to let you know what’s going on. Don’t feel under pressure to agree to anything you’re not happy with though.
Judge or magistrates? +
The letter you received from the court giving you the date and time of the hearing should also tell you whether the case is being heard by a single Judge or by 2 or 3 magistrates. Check this detail so that you know what to expect and are not surprised when you get in to the court room.
Before the hearing+
It is very nerve-wracking and daunting to be in court but it is in your interests to try to keep as calm as you possibly can. If the other party is present and there is any chance that you might get into an argument or an unpleasant situation, let the usher know that you will be waiting elsewhere and take yourself out of that situation. Arguing in the waiting area will be unpleasant for all concerned and will make a difficult situation even worse.
If you are frightened of the other party, again, let the usher know that you wish to wait somewhere else, for your own safety.
During the hearing+
Have a look at the plan of the court room here so that you have an idea of where you are supposed to sit.
If your hearing is with a district Judge, you should call him or her ‘Sir’ or ‘Madam’ when you speak to them. This is the same if your hearing is before magistrates but, if there is a mix of male and female magistrates, you can address them all as ‘Your Worships’. Don’t worry too much about getting these right – just make sure that you are as polite as possible.
Keep as calm and as focussed as you can throughout the hearing. Don’t interrupt the Judge or magistrates and only speak when you are asked to. Keep to your list of key points that you have prepared so that your main concerns get dealt with
After the hearing+
Any order made by the Judge or the magistrates will be typed up and sent to you – make sure you read it and understand what it says. If you are confused or don’t understand something, make an appointment at the ARU Law Clinic where a lawyer can explain the order to you. You can also find out about what you can do if you are unhappy with the decision of the Judge or magistrates. If an emergency order is made, it will usually be typed up and given to you once the hearing as finished and you will be told to wait until it is ready.