Courts and tribunals

Court services and processes are changing to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Specific measures are in place at courts and tribunals to reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19.

Current restrictions on attending courts and tribunals

Courts and tribunals have measures in place to conduct proceedings without the need for attending where possible.

You do not need to attend a Court or Tribunal unless you:

• are a party to a court or tribunal matter and no other arrangements are in place to conduct proceedings remotely
• have received a summons for jury service or are a juror already empanelled for ongoing trials
• require face-to-face services of the registry and no other arrangements are in place to enable this remotely
• are a representative of a news-media organisation with a legitimate reason for attending court.

Do not attend a court or tribunal if you:

• have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 7 days
• are a household or close contact of a person who has had COVID-19 in the last 7 days
• you are waiting for a COVID test result
• you are feeling unwell and have any of the following symptoms:
  • fever
  • cough
  • sore throat
  • shortness of breath.

Registrars and Sheriff’s officers may deny entry or request any person to leave a building. You must follow the directions of Registrars and Sheriff's officers.

Further information is provided on this page and in the links below.

Court and tribunal enquiries

If you cannot attend a court, or if you are unsure, contact the Courts Service Centre by email nswcsc@justice.nsw.gov.au or call 1300 679 272.

You can find further information below, including contact details for specific courts.

If you have enquiries relating to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) call 1300 006 228 or visit www.ncat.nsw.gov.au.

Further measures at NSW Courts and Tribunals

The health and wellbeing of all court and tribunal users is the paramount consideration for NSW Courts and Tribunals. Measures and precautions are being taken to minimise the risk of transmission of COVID-19.

Access is restricted to certain people and some proceedings may be conducted remotely or online.

The measures and arrangements in place may differ for NSW courts and tribunals. Further information on the arrangements in place can be found on the relevant courts and tribunals websites, or by contacting the court or tribunal directly. Follow the links below to find out more:

• Children's Court
• Coroners Court 
• District Court 
• Drug Court
• Dust Diseases Tribunal
• Industrial Relations Commission
• Land and Environment Court
• Local Court
• NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT)
• Supreme Court

Legal support

For useful information or legal support, visit the Legal services and support page.