UK Court Record Search
Do you want to search for court records? Are you trying to trace an old family member and believe they were charged in court? Thanks to the internet and search platforms, the public are now able to make a UK court record search online. This can be an easy process when you know what you are doing. You can do this from the comfort of your own home and at your own pace. You will need some simple information in order to start a UK court record search and this can reveal the information you have been looking for.
What are Court Records?
First of all, it is necessary to understand what exactly is meant by the term ‘court records’. The Criminal Procedure Rules creates a duty for the court officer to make records of a case when it is happening. In other words, the details of the case will be recorded for people to access later on. For instance, each case will be recorded to show the charge against the defendant, the conviction and sentence, as well as the reasons for the court’s decision and other communications during the trial. This recording is often as a transcript.
In addition, the court record should detail who the defendant is in the trial, plus their legal representatives, prosecutor, and other legal professionals. Some records will also include more details about the parties involved, including their addresses, date of birth, and the dates of the events. All of these details may help you with your search.
Why Make a UK Court Record Search?
There are a number of reasons why you may want to conduct a UK court record search. For example, perhaps you are trying to find more about a person that you have just met. This could be a job interview or in other similar circumstances where you are working closely with someone.
Alternatively, court records can be a good way to trace some of your ancestors, whether they were a defendant or a witness. You can find out additional information from UK court records and not just about a crime. For example, it might be possible to find out their occupation and other interesting family details.
What Information Do I Need to Know Before My Search?
It is going to be necessary to have some basic information in order to carry out a UK court record search. This is going to allow you to find exactly what you are looking for. It is important to remember that court records are those documents that reference an event that has taken place through the years in the UK. There are several different courts in the United Kingdom that deal with various types of crimes. For example, there are going to be civil court cases that deal with individuals and criminal cases that involve the Crown Prosecution Service.
The good news is that carrying out a UK court record search is now easier than it was before. It can all be done online. There are databases that can help you but you must be prepared to pay a small fee in most cases. In order to get started, the basic information you should have includes the first and last name of the person you are searching for. In addition, it is recommended that you know the county that is relevant to the court. For instance, it will be useful to know whether the court record you are looking for was in Cambridgeshire, Hampshire, or West Yorkshire. Along with the first and last name, this is going to provide you with a quick and easy search for the information you need.
Are there Different Ways to Complete a UK Court Record Search?
One of the best ways to search for court records is online starting with the UK National Archives. There are different databases that are going to allow you to access the information you are seeking. For instance, there are Old Baily trial records that you can view online from 1674 to 1913. There is also the Criminal Registers for England and Wales for records between 1791 and 1892.
It is also possible to contact the court directly in order to access the records. This is often a route someone will go down if they were involved in the court case in some way. Courts can be different in their procedure and may use a company to transcribe hearings. There is a form you can download and submit to the appropriate court. There will be a payment you will have to make for this request and in order to access the transcript. The court will have to approve your request. It is difficult to say how long this will take and you may have to be patient. In addition, some courts will only keep a record of hearings for up to five years. This is something to bear in mind if you are trying to find older information.
Magistrates Court Records
In some UK countries, such as England and Wales, have Magistrates’ court which hears 3 different types of court cases. These can include minor court cases, criminal offenses and some civil court cases. This is regarded as a lower court which primarily handles less severe criminal offenses such as minor assault and monitoring offenses. Through the judicial system in the UK you can view detailed information about this courts function such as sentencings, judicial review, appeals as well as family court and civil court cases. That said, most all court cases start in a Magistrates’ court and a few are passed to the Crown Court if the criminal offenses are more serious.
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