What to do in the courtroom
If you need to attend court, here's what you need to do when entering the courtroom and how you'll need to behave while your case is heard.
When entering the courtroom
The court officer will open the courtroom just before the judicial officer is ready to come in. You should come in, find a seat and wait for your case to be called. This may take some time.
When the judicial officer enters or leaves the courtroom the court officer will say “silence please, all stand”. The judicial officer will bow to the courtroom and you should stand and bow to the judicial officer if you choose.
Many people bow to the Coat of Arms when they enter and leave the courtroom as a sign of respect to the legal system. Bowing is not compulsory so you can choose to bow or not.
It is ok to go in or out of the courtroom while the judicial officer is in the courtroom but try to be quiet so you don’t interrupt other cases.
You shouldn’t move around when the judicial officer is sentencing someone. If you realise someone is being sentenced when you come into the room, just stand quietly and wait till the sentencing is finished before finding a seat.
Other ways to show respect to the court are:
- remove hats, hoods and sunglasses
- not eat or drink or chew gum
- not interrupt proceedings
During your case
You should stand up whenever the judicial officer speaks to you or you speak to them. You should call the judicial officer "Your Honour".
When your case is called you will be asked to stand at a microphone near the bar table (where the lawyers sit – don’t sit at the bar table unless the judicial officer tells you to).
The microphones in the courtroom do not make voices louder, they are only used to record what is said on special recording equipment. You do not need to lean into the microphones when you speak, just stand near it and speak loud enough for the judicial officer to hear you.
The judicial officer will want to know if you are pleading guilty, not guilty or asking for an adjournment. Your answer will determine what happens next. Your case may be dealt with straight away, it could be “stood in the list” until later in the day, or it could be adjourned for another day.
The information on this page is general information only. Different processes apply for cases in different jurisdictions.