Court Etiquette NSW: How to Behave in Court

What you need to know right now

In a NSW court you should arrive early, dress neatly, turn your phone off, and stay quiet unless it is your turn to speak. Stand up when the magistrate or judge enters or leaves the room and whenever you speak to them, and call them 'Your Honour'. Do not record, photograph or film anything inside the courtroom, as that is a criminal offence. When your matter is called, move to the microphone near the front and wait to be spoken to.

New South Wales's courts and the rules of conduct

New South Wales has a court hierarchy. The Local Court of NSW deals with most matters, including the early stages of all criminal cases, less serious (summary) offences, bail and apprehended violence orders, and is run by a Magistrate. The District Court of NSW hears more serious criminal matters (often with a jury) and appeals from the Local Court, and is presided over by a Judge. The Supreme Court of NSW handles the most serious matters, such as murder, and major civil disputes. The Children's Court of NSW deals with criminal matters involving young people and child-protection cases. Separate tribunals, such as the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT), handle things like tenancy and guardianship disputes and run less formally.

Much of court etiquette is custom rather than strict law, but some rules carry real legal force. The most important is the ban on recording. Under the Court Security Act 2005 (NSW), it is an offence to use any device to record sound or images in court premises (section 9), and a separate offence to transmit or broadcast court proceedings, including posting to social media (section 9A). Breaching these provisions can lead to a significant fine and even imprisonment, so phones must be put away and switched off.

Some proceedings have extra protections. A court can make a suppression order or non-publication order that restricts what can be reported about a case or who can be named. The Children's Court is a closed court: the general public is not allowed in, and it is an offence to publish information likely to identify a child or young person involved in proceedings under the Children (Criminal Proceedings) Act 1987 (NSW).

Finally, every court has the power to punish contempt of court. Disrupting proceedings, refusing to follow a judicial officer's directions, abusing people in the courtroom or ignoring a court order can all be treated as contempt, which is a serious matter that can result in a fine or imprisonment. Good etiquette is the simplest way to stay well clear of it.

The rules that carry legal force in NSW

Recording sound or images in court premises is an offence (Court Security Act 2005 (NSW) s 9).
Transmitting or broadcasting proceedings, including to social media, is an offence (s 9A).
Photography and filming inside the courtroom are not permitted without the court's express permission.
A court can make suppression or non-publication orders restricting what is reported.
The Children's Court is closed and identifying a young person can be an offence.
Disrupting or disobeying the court can amount to contempt of court.
Paper notes are allowed, but no audio or video may be taken.
Directions from the magistrate, judge, court officer or sheriff's officer must be followed.

Why courtroom behaviour matters

How you conduct yourself in court is noticed. A magistrate or judge forms an impression of you from the moment you walk in, and a person who is on time, neatly dressed, calm and respectful makes a far better impression than one who is late, dismissive or argumentative. Good etiquette will not change the facts of your case, but it shows the court you are taking the matter seriously, and that can make the whole experience smoother. Just as importantly, the recording and contempt rules exist to protect the fairness of proceedings, so following them keeps you out of fresh trouble on top of the matter you came for.

Court etiquette in practice

Here are the core etiquette points that apply in almost every NSW courtroom, from the Local Court up to the Supreme Court.

Arrive early

Get to court well before your listed time. Local Court lists usually start around 9:30am and your matter may not be called until later, so be prepared to wait most of the day. Find your courtroom on the daily list and check in with the registry or a court officer if you are unsure.

Dress neatly

You do not need a suit, but aim to be clean and tidy. Avoid singlets, thongs, ripped clothing, slogans and sunglasses. Remove hats, hoods and caps before you enter the courtroom.

Phones off

Switch your phone right off, not just to silent, before you go in. You may take notes on paper, but you must not record, photograph or film anything inside the courtroom.

Stand and bow

Stand up when the magistrate or judge enters and leaves, and whenever you speak to them. Many people bow to the bench or the Coat of Arms when entering and leaving as a sign of respect; this is customary rather than compulsory.

Address the bench

Call a Magistrate, District Court Judge or Supreme Court Judge 'Your Honour'. Speak only to the bench, not across the room, and never to the other side directly.

Wait your turn

Stay quiet unless you are spoken to. Do not interrupt, eat, drink or chew gum. When your matter is called, move to the microphone near the bar table and wait to be addressed before you speak.

What to do now — step by step

1

Before the day, confirm the correct court, the date and the start time on your paperwork, and plan to arrive at least 30 minutes early to allow for parking and security screening.

2

When you arrive, check the daily court list on the noticeboard or screen to find your name and courtroom, then wait quietly outside that courtroom or ask a court officer where to go.

3

Before entering, switch your phone off, remove your hat and sunglasses, and finish any food or drink. Pause and bow to the bench as you walk in if you wish.

4

Take a seat in the public area and stand whenever the magistrate or judge enters or leaves. Listen carefully so you do not miss your name being called.

5

When your matter is called, walk to the microphone near the bar table, stand, address the bench as 'Your Honour', speak clearly and only when invited, and bow as you leave when you are finished.

Mistakes to avoid

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Calling a magistrate 'Your Worship'. That form of address is out of date in NSW. Magistrates have been addressed as 'Your Honour' since 2004, the same as judges.

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Checking your phone in the courtroom. Even a quick glance can look disrespectful, and recording or filming is a criminal offence under the Court Security Act 2005 (NSW).

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Speaking out of turn or interrupting. Talking over the magistrate, the prosecutor or the other side can be treated as contempt and will harm your standing with the court.

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Turning up late or dressed too casually. Arriving after your matter is called or in singlet and thongs sends the wrong message and may mean your case is dealt with in your absence.

Free & low-cost help in New South Wales

You do not have to face court without help. Several free or low-cost services in NSW can give you information, advice or, in some cases, representation. It is best to contact them as early as possible before your court date.

LawAccess NSW

A free government phone service giving legal information, referrals and some advice for people with a legal problem in NSW. Call 1300 888 529, Monday to Friday.

Legal Aid NSW

Provides free legal advice and, for eligible people, representation across NSW, including duty solicitors who help defendants at many Local Courts on the day.

Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT)

Free, culturally appropriate legal advice, representation, information and referrals for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in NSW and the ACT.

Community Legal Centres NSW

A network of independent community legal centres offering free legal help and referrals, many specialising in particular areas or local regions.

Frequently asked questions — Court Etiquette in New South Wales

How do I address a magistrate in NSW?

You call a Magistrate 'Your Honour'. This has been the correct form of address in NSW since 2004; the old term 'Your Worship' is no longer used. District Court and Supreme Court judges are also addressed as 'Your Honour'.

What should I wear to court in NSW?

Dress neatly and conservatively. You do not need formal or business clothes, but aim to be clean and tidy. Avoid singlets, thongs, ripped or revealing clothing, and slogans, and remove hats, hoods and sunglasses before you go in.

Can I record or film in a NSW court?

No. Under the Court Security Act 2005 (NSW) it is a criminal offence to record sound or images in court premises, or to transmit or broadcast proceedings, including posting to social media. You may take notes on paper, but phones must be switched off.

Do I have to stand in court?

Yes. You should stand when the magistrate or judge enters and leaves the courtroom, and whenever you speak to them or they speak to you. A court officer will usually say 'silence please, all stand' as the judicial officer comes in.

What happens if I am late for court?

Always try to arrive early. If you are running late, phone the court registry straight away. If your matter is called and you are not there, it may be dealt with in your absence, and in a criminal case a warrant could be issued for your arrest, so do not simply skip it.

Do I have to bow when I enter a courtroom?

Bowing to the bench or the Coat of Arms when you enter and leave is a customary sign of respect, not a strict legal requirement. Many people choose to bow; if you prefer not to, a quiet, respectful manner is what matters most.

Where do I sit and wait in court?

Check the daily list to find your courtroom, then wait quietly in the public seating area. Do not sit at the bar table, where the lawyers sit, unless the magistrate or judge tells you to. When your matter is called, move to the microphone near the front.

Can I bring a support person to court?

Yes, you can usually bring a family member or friend to support you in the public gallery of most courts. They must follow the same rules of conduct. Note that the Children's Court is closed, so only people directly involved are allowed in that courtroom.

What if I do not speak English well or need an interpreter?

Tell the court registry as early as possible if you need an interpreter, and one can often be arranged for you. You should not rely on a friend or family member to interpret for you in formal proceedings.

What should I bring to court?

Bring your court paperwork or notice, any documents relevant to your matter, a pen and paper for notes, and the contact details of your lawyer or a legal service. Leave anything that could be a security concern at home, as you may be screened on entry.

Sources & further reading

Last reviewed: 2026-06-19. Laws change — confirm current details with the linked official sources or call 1800 951 176.

When it helps to speak to a lawyer

Etiquette gets you through the door respectfully, but it does not tell you what to say about your actual case. If you are a defendant, a few minutes with a duty solicitor at court or a phone call to a legal service beforehand can change how your matter is dealt with, what you should plead, and what to ask for. A lawyer can also tell you whether your matter belongs in the Local, District or Children's Court and what to expect on the day. If you are unsure about any of this, it is worth getting free information before you go.

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Court Etiquette in New South Wales