Local Court of New South Wales

Practice Notes

Criminal Jurisdiction

Practice Note - Crim 1
Commenced 1 May 2012, Amended 18 December 2020
Practice Note - Comm 1
Commenced 1 May 2012 - applies to offences commenced prior to 30 April 2018. Amended 23 June 2017.
Practice Note - Comm 2
Commenced 30 April 2018. Applies to offences commenced 20 April 2018 to 8 January 2023.
Practice Note - Comm 3
Commenced 9 January 2023. Applies to offences commenced from 9 January 2023.
Practice Note - Bail Proceedings
Commenced 22 November 2025. Amended 28 March 2026.
Temporary Court Closure AVL Proceedings (Waverley)
Commenced 12 January 2026. Expires 25 December 2026.

Special Jurisdiction

Practice Note - Domestic and Personal Violence Proceedings
Commences 4 May 2026.
Read more about the Special Jurisdiction
Warning alert

The following two Practice Notes are revoked from 4 May 2026, except for matters which had their first mention prior to 4 May 2026.

Practice Note - Domestic and Personal Violence Proceedings
Issued 24 April 2012. Commenced 1 May 2012. Revoked 4 May 2026.
Practice Note - Specialist Family Violence List
Commenced 25 September 2023. Amended 6 May 2024. Revoked 4 May 2026.

Annexures: Practice Note - Domestic and Personal Violence Proceedings

Note: this Practice Note applies in the Bankstown Local Court, Blacktown Local Court, Downing Centre Local Court, Gunnedah Circuit (excluding Tamworth), Liverpool Local Court, Moree/Inverell Circuit, Newcastle Local Court, Katoomba Local Court, Windsor Local Court, and Sutherland Local Court.

Annexures: Practice Note - Specialist Family Violence List

Civil Jurisdiction

Practice Note - Civ 1
Commenced 23 March 2011. Amended 3 June 2024.
Instrument Delegating Powers to Registrars
Commenced 13 October 2025.

Coronial Jurisdiction

Coronial Practice Notes
Initial Steps After a Death is Reported to the Coroner

Other

Practice Note - Generative Artificial Intelligence
Commenced 12 January 2026
Practice Note - Form of Address in Court
Commenced 5 August 2010
Identity Theft Prevention and Anonymisation Policy
Commenced 7 April 2008
Recording of Court Proceedings
Commenced 19 July 2013
Use of Devices in Court
Commenced 18 May 2022
Practice Note - Pronunciation of Names and Forms of Address
The Chief Magistrate has endorsed the following SC Practice Note for use in the Local Court.
Delays in Reserved Judgements Policy
Commenced 2 June 2026
Further Information

For enquiries about Practice Notes, including revoked Practice Notes, please contact the Local Court Executive Office at LCEO@justice.nsw.gov.au.