The courthouse is located in Quay Street, Bangor. This is opposite the McKee Clock at the Marina and adjacent to the Marine Court Hotel. The courthouse is open to the public only on court sitting days, each Wednesday and Friday and any additional days as may be arranged.
The bus and train stations are approximately 1/2 mile from the courthouse. Exit train station and proceed left along Main Street, continue down Main Street towards the flagship shopping centre and cross at the traffic lights. At the bottom of the hill proceed right and continue towards the next set of traffic lights. Cross over at these lights and head towards the Maine Court Hotel, the courthouse is situated to its right. For information about bus timetables contact Translink on 028 9066 6630 or www.translink.co.uk
There is no car parking at the courthouse but there is on street parking and a number of car parks within easy walking distance of the Court. A free car park runs along the front of the marina and can be accessed from Queens Parade. Another free car park may be found at the pier. There is a multi-storey car park at the Flagship Shopping Centre entrance, off High Street. It operates a system whereby the fee is paid on return to the car park. There are a number of disabled parking bays in front of the marine court hotel and on the opposite side of the street. There is a pelican crossing close to the courthouse, the street is reasonably level.
The building is open from 9.00am on days when courts are sitting. The office
is open to the public from 9.30am to 4.30pm on days when courts are sitting.
Further details of court sitting days can be found on our website at
www.courtsni.gov.uk.
The courts generally start at 10.30am, stopping for lunch around 1.00pm and
resuming at 2.00pm, until the daily business is finished. The office is open for
fine payment or other business during lunch.
Refreshment facilities are available at the courthouse. There is also a range of coffee shops and restaurants within walking distance. There is a payphone in the entrance hall. There is a no smoking policy in Bangor courthouse.
Care must be taken in the use of mobile phones whilst in the precincts of the court. It is prohibited to use any photographic or recording device within the court building and the area immediately surrounding it. Some mobile phones are capable of performing this function and therefore you are advised not to use mobile phones for this purpose whilst attending court. Mobile phones must be switched off before entering a courtroom.
Anyone wishing to take notes in court must obtain the judge's prior permission.
If you are a victim or witness for the prosecution, Victim Support Northern Ireland offers a Witness Service at all the Crown and Magistrate' Courts.
Before the Trial: opportunity to talk to someone; pre-trial familiarisation visit to court; information on court procedures.
During the Trial: safe waiting area; liaison with court officers and legal representatives; arrangements for witnesses with special needs; accompanying witnesses into court.
After the Trial: preparing victims for case outcome; encouraging continued contact with Victim Support Community Service; referral on to other agencies.
A room can be made available for vulnerable or intimidated, or child witnesses whilst they are waiting to give evidence. If this facility is required, please contact the Customer Service Officer in advance.
The staff in the main office on the first floor will help with any queries you may have. There is a notice board in the waiting area which displays lists of the daily business. If you require additional information or need to meet someone on arrival, you can get help from the reception desk or court office. This will be available from 9.30am each court day. There are two consultation rooms available in Bangor Courthouse. If you have not already done so, you may wish to contact a solicitor before coming to court.
Please note that you must attend court at the time you have been given, although you may not be called until after this. If you feel you have been waiting too long, please contact a court official.
If you have a disability or a special need, please contact the Disability Liaison Officer or the Customer Service Officer who will provide you with information on the facilities available. The courtroom in Bangor has induction loop systems, and our leaflets can also be made available in large print. There is a wheelchair ramp to the main front door. The courtroom, waiting room, consultation rooms and accessible toilet are on the ground floor.
If you are aged 14 or over and have to give evidence in court, you will be required either to take a religious oath or 'affirm' that you will tell the truth. The court clerk will ask you which method you want to use, and invite you to repeat after them the appropriate words. A religious oath is a sworn promise to tell the truth and is made on a holy book. An affirmation is a declaration to tell the truth but it is not sworn on a holy book.
For further information on Bangor Courthouse please contact:
The Customer Service OfficerAlternatively contact:
The Customer Service OfficerThis information sheet will be made available in a range of alternative formats. Requests for alternative formats should be made to Communications Group. For further information on other courthouses please contact:
NI Courts and Tribunals ServiceThe Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service is committed to improving its quality of service to all court users. By making comments about our services, you enable us to improve them. By making a complaint, you enable us to put things right.