Special Sitting Arrangements During the Local Court Fixed Vacation Period 2023-2024
Normal rostered sittings of the Local Court, Children’s Court and Coronial Jurisdiction will be suspended on and from Monday 25 December 2023 and will recommence on Monday 8 January 2024. Friday 22 December 2023 will be a statewide Chambers Day.
LOCAL COURT ARRANGEMENTS
Metropolitan areas
Local Court – custody (weekdays that are not public holidays)
Three Acting Magistrates will be rostered at Parramatta Local Court to determine bail for adults, who remain in custody in the metropolitan area and to consider any urgent applications for Apprehended Violence Orders that are lodged state-wide.
All adults remanded in custody within the Sydney metropolitan area are to be dealt with via Audio Visual Link (AVL) facilities at Parramatta Local Court from Amber Laurel and Surry Hills Correctional Facilities.
There will be no appearances in person, including on the statewide Chambers Day on Friday 22 December 2023. Appearances will be in accordance with the agreed standard operating procedures for the centralised bail courts.
Local Court – custody (weekends and public holidays)
Two Acting Magistrates will be rostered at Parramatta Children’s Court to determine bail for adult persons, who remain in custody in the metropolitan area and to consider any urgent applications for Apprehended Violence Orders that are lodged state-wide.
All adults remanded in custody within the Sydney metropolitan area are to be dealt with via Audio Visual Link (AVL) facilities at Parramatta Children’s Court from Amber Laurel and Surry Hills Correctional Facilities.
There will be no appearances in person. Appearances will be in accordance with the agreed standard operating procedures for the centralised bail courts.
Domestic and Personal Violence – Police Informants
Police may apply for urgent orders during business hours to the Central Justice Panel by forwarding a prepared ‘Provisional (Ex Parte) Apprehended Violence Order to the court.
Police may also apply for urgent orders 24 hours per day through’ the electronic transfer in box’, [email protected]. Please note Central Justice Panel operates from 8am to 3pm, the Extended Registry from 3pm to 11pm and Authorised Justices on the ‘After Hours’ roster between 11pm and 8am.
Urgent AVO’s – Private Informants
A Magistrate will be available at Parramatta Local Court on weekdays that are not public holidays to determine urgent applications only during Court sitting hours.
For further information regarding the arrangements for metropolitan areas, please contact [email protected].
Regional areas
Hunter/North Region
Tamworth Hub Region
Appearances via AVL to Tamworth court from participating police stations, from Oxley and New England Areas are in accordance with the Tamworth Hub Christmas/New Year centralised bail court SOPs.
Coffs Harbour Region
Bail Court appearances for the Coffs Harbour Hub will be via AVL to the Port Macquarie PBR court dial in, from participating police stations in accordance with the Coffs Harbour Christmas/New Year centralised bail court SOPs. Standard Operating Procedures have been developed and distributed to impacted stakeholders. Stakeholder consultation is being managed locally.
Newcastle/Gosford Regions
Bail Court appearances for the Newcastle and Gosford Hub will be via AVL to the Newcastle court dial in, from participating police stations in accordance with the Newcastle Weekend Bail Court SOPs. Standard Operating Procedures have been developed and distributed to impacted stakeholders. Stakeholder consultation is being managed locally.
Lismore Region
Bail Court appearances for the Lismore Hub (Hunter North) will be via AVL to the Lismore Hub Centralised Bail Court, from participating police stations in accordance with the Lismore Weekend and Public Holiday (WEPH) centralised bail court SOPs. Papers and communications will be centralised to the Lismore PBR email [email protected]. Standard Operating Procedures for all locations have been developed and distributed to impacted stakeholders. Stakeholder consultation is being managed locally.
Further information regarding the arrangements for the Hunter/North region can be provided by Damian Bultitude, Acting Regional Director, Hunter/North via email to: [email protected].
Illawarra/South Region
Appearances via AVL to Wollongong court from participating police stations in accordance with the Illawarra/South Christmas/New Year centralised bail court SOPs which are attached to this bulletin.
Standard Operating Procedures have been developed and distributed to impacted stakeholders. Stakeholder consultation is being managed locally.
Regional areas
Hunter/North Region
Tamworth Hub Region
Appearances via AVL to Tamworth court from participating police stations, from Oxley and New England Areas are in accordance with the Tamworth Hub Christmas/New Year centralised bail court SOPs.
Coffs Harbour Region
Bail Court appearances for the Coffs Harbour Hub will be via AVL to the Port Macquarie PBR court dial in, from participating police stations in accordance with the Coffs Harbour Christmas/New Year centralised bail court SOPs. Standard Operating Procedures have been developed and distributed to impacted stakeholders. Stakeholder consultation is being managed locally.
Newcastle/Gosford Regions
Bail Court appearances for the Newcastle and Gosford Hub will be via AVL to the Newcastle court dial in, from participating police stations in accordance with the Newcastle Weekend Bail Court SOPs. Standard Operating Procedures have been developed and distributed to impacted stakeholders. Stakeholder consultation is being managed locally.
Lismore Region
Bail Court appearances for the Lismore Hub (Hunter North) will be via AVL to the Lismore Hub Centralised Bail Court, from participating police stations in accordance with the Lismore Weekend and Public Holiday (WEPH) centralised bail court SOPs. Papers and communications will be centralised to the Lismore PBR email [email protected]. Standard Operating Procedures for all locations have been developed and distributed to impacted stakeholders. Stakeholder consultation is being managed locally.
Further information regarding the arrangements for the Hunter/North region can be provided by Damian Bultitude, Acting Regional Director, Hunter/North via email to: [email protected].
Illawarra/South Region
Appearances via AVL to Wollongong court from participating police stations in accordance with the Illawarra/South Christmas/New Year centralised bail court SOPs which are attached to this bulletin.
Standard Operating Procedures have been developed and distributed to impacted stakeholders. Stakeholder consultation is being managed locally.
Further information regarding the arrangements for the Illawarra/South region can be provided by Tonia Adamson, Regional Director, Illawarra/South region via email to: [email protected].
West/South West Region
West [Dubbo/Bathurst/Orange/Broken Hill hubs] – Appearances via AVL to Dubbo court from participating police stations in accordance with the Dubbo Christmas/New Year centralised bail court SOPs.
South West [Wagga Wagga/Griffith/Albury hubs] – Appearances via AVL to Wagga Wagga court from participating police stations in accordance with the Wagga Wagga Christmas/New Year centralised bail court SOPs.
Standard Operating Procedures have been developed and distributed to impacted stakeholders which are attached to this bulletin. Stakeholder consultation is being managed locally.
Further information regarding the arrangements for the West/South West region can be provided by Renae Elrington, Regional Director, West/South West region via email to: [email protected].
CHILDRENS COURT ARRANGEMENTS
Children’s Court (weekdays that are not public holidays)
Two Acting Magistrates will be rostered at Parramatta Children’s Court to determine bail applications, urgent applications for Apprehended Violence Orders and urgent applications for care and protection orders from across the state.
Children’s Court (weekends and public holidays)
One Acting Magistrate will be rostered at Parramatta Children’s Court to determine bail applications and urgent applications for Apprehended Violence Orders from across the state.
Bail proceedings
First appearance bail applications from across the state will be dealt with by AVL at Parramatta Children’s Court each day including public holidays.
Standard Operating Procedures have been developed and agreed between agencies setting out processes for 3 categories
a) AVL from Youth Justice Centre’s
b) AVL from police stations that are more than 2 hours from a Youth Justice Centre
c) AVL from police stations that are less than 2 hours from a Youth Justice Centre with approval of the Court.
Care and protection applications
Applications for an emergency care and protection order under s46 of the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act or an application for an interim order where a care application is made following the removal or assumption into care of a child or young person under s45 of the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act are to be listed at Parramatta Children’s Court on a weekday that is not a public holiday during the court vacation period.
Legal practitioners are to appear in person unless leave is granted to appear by AVL.
Standard Operating Procedures for the listing of urgent Care and Protection applications during this period have been developed with local stakeholders.
Domestic and Personal Violence applications
In the ordinary course provisional orders are to be listed after 8 January 2024.
However, urgent applications for interim domestic and personal violence orders or urgent interim variations of domestic and personal violence orders may be listed at Parramatta Children’s Court on a weekday that is not a public holiday during the court vacation period but only following consultation with the registrar of Parramatta Children’s Court.
The standard operating procedures for Children’s Court Bail Courts and for the listing of Urgent Care and Protection applications during the 2021-22 Christmas period are attached to this bulletin.
General enquires: Parramatta Children’s Court: ph: 8688 1888, fax: 8688 1999 or by email [email protected].
Any urgent enquiries during the court vacation period should be directed to:
Weekdays:
West/South West Region
West [Dubbo/Bathurst/Orange/Broken Hill hubs] – Appearances via AVL to Dubbo court from participating police stations in accordance with the Dubbo Christmas/New Year centralised bail court SOPs.
South West [Wagga Wagga/Griffith/Albury hubs] – Appearances via AVL to Wagga Wagga court from participating police stations in accordance with the Wagga Wagga Christmas/New Year centralised bail court SOPs.
Standard Operating Procedures have been developed and distributed to impacted stakeholders which are attached to this bulletin. Stakeholder consultation is being managed locally.
Further information regarding the arrangements for the West/South West region can be provided by Renae Elrington, Regional Director, West/South West region via email to: [email protected].
CHILDRENS COURT ARRANGEMENTS
Children’s Court (weekdays that are not public holidays)
Two Acting Magistrates will be rostered at Parramatta Children’s Court to determine bail applications, urgent applications for Apprehended Violence Orders and urgent applications for care and protection orders from across the state.
Children’s Court (weekends and public holidays)
One Acting Magistrate will be rostered at Parramatta Children’s Court to determine bail applications and urgent applications for Apprehended Violence Orders from across the state.
Bail proceedings
First appearance bail applications from across the state will be dealt with by AVL at Parramatta Children’s Court each day including public holidays.
Standard Operating Procedures have been developed and agreed between agencies setting out processes for 3 categories
a) AVL from Youth Justice Centre’s
b) AVL from police stations that are more than 2 hours from a Youth Justice Centre
c) AVL from police stations that are less than 2 hours from a Youth Justice Centre with approval of the Court.
Care and protection applications
Applications for an emergency care and protection order under s46 of the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act or an application for an interim order where a care application is made following the removal or assumption into care of a child or young person under s45 of the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act are to be listed at Parramatta Children’s Court on a weekday that is not a public holiday during the court vacation period.
Legal practitioners are to appear in person unless leave is granted to appear by AVL.
Standard Operating Procedures for the listing of urgent Care and Protection applications during this period have been developed with local stakeholders.
Domestic and Personal Violence applications
In the ordinary course provisional orders are to be listed after 8 January 2024.
However, urgent applications for interim domestic and personal violence orders or urgent interim variations of domestic and personal violence orders may be listed at Parramatta Children’s Court on a weekday that is not a public holiday during the court vacation period but only following consultation with the registrar of Parramatta Children’s Court.
The standard operating procedures for Children’s Court Bail Courts and for the listing of Urgent Care and Protection applications during the 2021-22 Christmas period are attached to this bulletin.
General enquires: Parramatta Children’s Court: ph: 8688 1888, fax: 8688 1999 or by email [email protected].
Any urgent enquiries during the court vacation period should be directed to:
Weekdays:
- Up to 29 December 2023: James Hogan, Registrar, Parramatta Children’s Court on 8688 1420 or 0412 197 313 (after hours)After 1 - January 2024: Elaine Coleman, Registrar on 8688 1888. Weekends and Public Holidays: Deputy Registrar, Parramatta Children’s Court on 8688 1442
GENERAL INFORMATION – BAIL VARIATIONS
Should a person attend a Police station anywhere in NSW during this period regarding applications to vary bails they should be asked to call the New South Wales Courts Service Centre (NSWCSC) on 1300 679 272. Upon receiving a call, the NSWCSC will provide assistance and if necessary, directly transfer the person to a senior staff member at Parramatta Local Court or, in appropriate circumstances, Parramatta Children’s Court. An authorised justice may grant an application for a bail variation by the defendant if there is no objection by the prosecutor.
In the case of a young person, the bail variation application will be listed before Parramatta Children’s Court where the authorised justice does not have authority to consider the bail variation, or the prosecution does not consent.
GENERAL INFORMATION – BAIL VARIATIONS
Should a person attend a Police station anywhere in NSW during this period regarding applications to vary bails they should be asked to call the New South Wales Courts Service Centre (NSWCSC) on 1300 679 272. Upon receiving a call, the NSWCSC will provide assistance and if necessary, directly transfer the person to a senior staff member at Parramatta Local Court or, in appropriate circumstances, Parramatta Children’s Court. An authorised justice may grant an application for a bail variation by the defendant if there is no objection by the prosecutor.
In the case of a young person, the bail variation application will be listed before Parramatta Children’s Court where the authorised justice does not have authority to consider the bail variation, or the prosecution does not consent.
For Children’s Court bail variations, the young person should contact either the Children’s Legal Service on 1800 10 18 10 or the Aboriginal Legal Service on 1800 765 767, for advice and representation.
CORONIAL ARRANGEMENTS
CORONIAL ARRANGEMENTS
The Coroners Court Registry will be open on all days except the Public Holidays (Christmas Day Public Holiday, Monday 25 December 2023, Boxing Day Public Holiday, Tuesday 26 December 2023, and New Year’s Day Monday 1 January 2024).
During the two-week Christmas - New Year period, a duty Senior Coroner will be available during normal business hours at the State Coroner’s Court for all deaths reported in NSW. The duty Senior Coroner is also available 24 hours on call for urgent issues arising out of hours.
Christmas and New Year Coronial Reporting Arrangements for the Coroner’s Court are being developed and will be distributed by the Coroner’s Court to impacted stakeholders.
Further information regarding arrangements for the Coroners Court can be provided by Gemma Baker-Finch, Executive Officer, Coroners Court via email to: [email protected].
Christmas and New Year Coronial Reporting Arrangements for the Coroner’s Court are being developed and will be distributed by the Coroner’s Court to impacted stakeholders.
Further information regarding arrangements for the Coroners Court can be provided by Gemma Baker-Finch, Executive Officer, Coroners Court via email to: [email protected].
