The layout of the magistrates court

This page, part of a set of materials taken from Law in action: learning through scripted role plays, looks at the typical layout of a magistrates court.

One courtroom looks much like another. The court is dominated by the bench, behind which the magistrates sit. In front is normally a table for the court clerk, and facing the bench are the bar tables for the prosecution and defence. Behind or adjacent is the dock, where the defendant is placed. Some courts have a sealed dock with direct access to the court or police cells. Defendants in custody normally arrive through the cells – this arrangement is intended to provide additional security. There are also designated areas for the Probation Service, the press and members of the public.

The building housing the court may be old fashioned or ultra modern (for those interested in legal history and architecture a visit the Beaumaris Magistrates’ Court on Anglesey is highly recommended – notice the picture behind the bench), but the layout will be much the same.

A typical courtroom is shown below.

Figure 3: a typical courtroom

Last Modified: 4 June 2010