The New South Wales Courts website explains what you can expect in court and the appropriate judicial etiquette in New South Wales. If you need more information about court proceedings or legal etiquette in New South Wales, you can contact LawAccess NSW. When you enter the courtroom, the judge(s) sit at the front of the court overlooking the rest of the courtroom. This is a quick and efficient way to access and view live court results and other information about the cases you represent and provide answers to the most frequently asked questions for which you can contact the Registry or our Court Service Centre. The rules of etiquette must be followed by all those who participate in the court, including the public. If this etiquette is not respected, the judicial officers may order you to leave the court or, in more serious cases, you will be sentenced to a fine or imprisonment. In the courtroom in New South Wales, the following rules of etiquette must be followed: You can ensure that you are well prepared for your court proceedings and that you are familiar with the rules of judicial etiquette in New South Wales by getting to know the court system before participating in your trial. You can familiarize yourself with this by reading the New South Wales Court website or by participating in a similar court case and consulting with it before your court case is heard. In cases where court participants are not dressed with respect, the bailiff may ask you to leave the courtroom. In the district court, cases are usually added to a list, and most district court lists begin at 9:30 a.m.

However, this can change sometimes and you should always check when your concern is listed. Just because your case is listed for a while doesn`t mean it`s necessarily called at that time, and your case may not be called until much later in the day. As a result, you should come to court ready to be there for most of the day. Take a book or something else with you, and if you have children, make arrangements for them so they don`t have to wait with you. If you enter or leave a courtroom and there is a judge or clerk in the courtroom, you must bow your head when entering or leaving. You can find the courtroom number on the daily list of courts in the foyer or entrance to the courthouse, but it is important that you do not go into the courtroom until it is your turn to testify. It is so that you do not hear what the other witnesses are saying. It is also important not to discuss the case with other witnesses while waiting to go to court. The public information office is open from 09:00 to 16:30. Telephone enquiries can be made from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except on weekends and public holidays. The Public Information Office is located on Level 17.

Here you need to store documents and forms. If this applies to you, you MUST immediately contact the competent court and inform them (you can request an adjournment or ask your legal representative to make other arrangements). The email addresses and telephone numbers of the district courts are available here. If you are appearing in court about your case, arrive early to have enough time to look for changes and find the right courtroom. You can do this by checking the list of courts posted in court, or you can check through NSW`s online registry by searching for your name before visiting the court. When you hear your case in court, you should go to the bar table at the front of the courtroom and tell the judge or clerk your name. General information on the courts` response to the COVID-19 pandemic can be found here. This article reflects the state of the law as of April 27, 2016. It is intended to be of a general nature only and does not constitute legal advice.

If you require legal assistance, please call 1300 636 846 or seek advice from gotocourt.wpengine.com. Personal check-in services throughout New South Wales may be limited (or temporarily unavailable in some locations). Please contact the competent court before participating, see the “Contact a court” section. Once registered, you can link any criminal or civil matter you work for by filing a notice of appointment or appearance. Once you are linked to the case, you can view information about the case, such as court results, bail conditions, and future registration dates. In civil matters, you can also submit forms. However, some cases may be heard in a “closed court”, for example in the New South Wales Juvenile Court. Other cases may be closed for a variety of reasons, such as proceedings involving a child who has been sexually assaulted. While it`s important to arrive early, delays in court are common and you may have to wait before being called as a witness, sometimes for a few hours. Bring something to read or do to pass the time. You can also bring food and drinks before or after you make your statement (you can`t eat or drink in the courtroom, although you can ask for a glass of water if you need it).

Respect for judicial etiquette is important when addressing the New South Wales Court, as it shows respect for the courts and the legal system and shows that you take your case seriously. The rules of etiquette must be followed by all those who visit the court, including those who are not involved in the proceedings. If the judicial etiquette is not respected, the judicial officers can order a person to leave the court or, in more serious cases, the person can be charged with contempt of court. You should always behave in a clean and respectful manner when you are in a courtroom. You should wait in the public seating area at the back of the courtroom until your case is called, or outside the courtroom if there is not enough space for you inside. If you attend your proceedings, arrive early to have enough time to look for changes to your trial and determine where to go. The correct courtroom is in the printed list of courts in the home. Court officials can also help you find the right courtroom and ask you questions about the rules and procedures in the courtroom. You must behave properly and respectfully when you are in the courtroom. You should also adhere to an appropriate standard of behavior and dress. You should wait in the public seating area at the back of the courtroom until your case is called. While you`re in court, be sure to keep the following in mind: The District Court still has modified surgeries to reduce the risk of the coronavirus spreading.

These changes are set out in the Chief Justice`s Memorandum and in all applicable court security orders. Below are some general tips on precautions taken to minimize physical presence in local courts. District Court NSW The District Court has made changes to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. Before appearing in court, please read this important information. If you need legal advice, call Go To Court Lawyers on 1300-636-846 or request a call back from gotocourt.wpengine.com. The adoption of appropriate judicial etiquette in New South Wales (New South Wales) is important as it demonstrates respect for the courts and the legal system. If you are represented by a lawyer, they can help you navigate your court appearance. If you are not represented, you should arrive early and speak to the clerk to let them know that you have arrived at the court. Vulnerable witnesses can bring a support person to court. The magistrate or judge usually allows a support person to sit nearby while the witness testifies. It is customary to bow one`s head in front of the coat of arms behind judges before entering and leaving courtrooms in New South Wales, as a sign of respect for the judicial system.

Some courthouses, such as the Downing Centre in Sydney, have special meeting places for witnesses. Judicial etiquette in New South Wales requires you to wear clean, conservative clothing in the courtroom. Not only does this show respect, but it also shows the court that you are making every effort and taking the case seriously, especially if you are representing yourself. Please refer to the court`s policy regarding the use of communication devices in a courtroom. On the day you have to testify, plan to arrive 30 minutes before the start of the court, which in New South Wales is 9.30am in district courts and 10am in district courts. Many courts have an airport-type security check that can lead to delays. In some courthouses, it may also take some time to navigate. In most courthouses, everyone goes through the same entrance.

This means you can see the accused if he or his family is out on bail somewhere in the building. If this makes you feel unsafe, inform the appropriate police officer, the ODPP attorney or your was officer before your hearing date. On this day, you can also tell a court official if you feel uncomfortable or threatened. The New South Wales judicial system adheres to the principle of “open justice”, i.e. that the proceedings are accessible to the public and the media. The courts of New South Wales do not have the inherent power to exclude the public except in special circumstances. If you are witnessing a court case in which you are not involved, you should sit in the public seating area at the back and refrain from interrupting the proceedings. The ODPP prosecutor, the police officer (OIC) in charge of the case or your WAS agent will usually arrange a meeting with you at a specific location. If they haven`t, go through security and ask the court office or investigative office where you should wait.