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Facilities and services at courts

You should be able to visit the court before you formally need to attend court. This will give you a chance to get a feel for the surroundings and to ask the customer service officer any questions you may have.

To arrange a pre-court visit, contact the customer service officer at the court you are due to attend. You can find details about how to contact the court on any communication you have been sent or via the HM Courts Service online court finder.

• HMCS CourtFinder Opens new window

Information in alternative formats

An audiotape called 'An introduction to the court service' is available from the customer service officer at the court. Also available from the court and the police, in Braille and audio recording formats, are the leaflets entitled 'Witness in Court' and 'Victim of Crime'.

The court and the police should be your first point of contact and can tell you what other forms and leaflets are available in alternative formats such as large print and Braille. Alternatively, you can contact:

Customer Service Unit, Her Majesty’s Courts Service
5th Floor, Clive House, 70 Petty France
London, SW1H 9HD
Telephone: 0845 4568770 or 020 7189 2000
Fax: 020 7189 2732
Disability Helpline/Textphone: Freephone 0800 358 3506
Email: customerservicecshq@hmcourts-service.gsi.gov.uk

Assistance and guide dogs

Assistance and guide dog are allowed into the courtroom. Going to court, particularly as a jury member, can mean long days. If required, it should be possible for your dog to be looked after while you are in the courtroom.

If a court session is long and your dog needs a break, you may need to arrange this with the judge via courtroom staff.

Someone may also be able to take your dog for a walk.

If you require any of these services, contact a member of court staff and they will be able to discuss your requirements and make any necessary arrangements.

The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) and going to court

In certain circumstances, the DDA allows public bodies to justify less favourable treatment to ensure that a fair balance is struck between the rights of disabled people and wider concerns.

For example, a decision not to call a blind person for jury service in a particular case where it is considered vital that the jury can consider a good deal of the evidence visually is likely to be justified.