First hearing
The first time the case is listed in a magistrates’ court.
Every criminal case in England and Wales starts in a magistrates’ court, even the most serious. MoJ calls this the “first listing”, whether or not the defendant is there.
At the first hearing the defendant may plead, and the court decides bail and where the case will be heard.
Official sources
This is a plain-English summary, not legal advice. The official sources above are the authority.
See also
How a case works · How a case moves from charge to sentence · All explainers
