A Practical Guide for Practitioners
Verified against the Local Court of NSW Bail Division page, the Bail Division Information Guide (November 2025), and the Practice Note – Bail Division Proceedings (commenced 7 July 2025). Note: the Practice Note has since been consolidated into a single Practice Note – Bail Proceedings (commencing 22 November 2025) — check the current instrument at localcourt.nsw.gov.au before relying on procedural detail.
1. Overview
The Bail Division of the Local Court of NSW is a virtual court hearing adult bail matters by audio-visual link (Webex). It deals with police bail refusals, executed arrest warrants, and detention applications. All participants — defendants, legal representatives, prosecutors, and support persons — appear by AVL. Proceedings are conducted in open court, subject to any orders restricting access.
2. Contact the Registry — Before the 12 pm Cut-off
Email the Bail Division Registry as soon as possible, and in any event before the 12 pm cut-off, to record your appearance:
NSW Bail Division Registry Court Services | NSW Department of Communities & Justice Email: [email protected] Phone: 1300 679 272 (per registry correspondence; the website lists email as the primary contact)
Your email must provide:
- The matter — your client’s full name and the case/court reference number in the subject line (e.g. R v [Surname] – [case number]);
- Notice of appearance — that you act for the accused and the matter is listed that day; and
- Your contact details.
The Registry will then provide dial-in details and register your information against the matter.
3. Filing and Serving Your Material
Under the Practice Note, any documents relied on in support of a bail application must be filed electronically with the Registry and sent to the prosecution by the applicant prior to the hearing. Do not assume the Registry will forward your bundle to the prosecutor — serve it on the prosecution directly.
Conversely, the prosecution must provide your client’s legal representative with an electronic copy of the police facts and criminal antecedents before the application is heard.
4. What the Registry Will Provide
- A Webex dial-in link for the relevant Bail Division virtual courtroom. Webex runs in a standard browser with no installation required; desktop and mobile apps are optional.
- A link to the “Form 2” (an online form) to be completed when you are ready to proceed. This form sits in the Division’s Standard Operating Procedures rather than any published Practice Note — complete it as directed by the Registry.
Do not circulate the dial-in link beyond those appearing in the matter.
5. Joining the Virtual Courtroom
- Identify yourself clearly: per registry practice, join with your first name and surname as your display name. Unidentified participants may not be admitted from the lobby.
- You will wait in a lobby. Access is granted once the matter is mentioned by the legal representative and is proceeding.
- Notify the Registry when ready. Once your application is ready to proceed, advise the Registry as soon as possible; the Registry will tell you when the Court is ready to hear it.
- Complete the Form 2 via the link provided when ready to proceed.
6. Sitting Times and Hearing Format
- The Court sits from 9:30 am to 4 pm (morning tea 11:30 am – 12 pm; lunch 1 pm – 2 pm). Matters carrying priority from the previous day are heard first; thereafter, by readiness to proceed.
- Oral submissions are limited to 10 minutes per party (excluding reading time for tendered material), unless the Court allows further time in the interests of justice.
- Matters not reached by 4 pm are listed the next available court day unless otherwise directed.
- If your client misses the 12 pm cut-off and you have instructions, advise the Registry electronically that the application is ready — it will receive priority in the next day’s list.
7. Courtroom Etiquette
The same standards as a physical courtroom apply: appear from a quiet, private room, dress appropriately, and use respectful language. It is an offence to photograph or record proceedings (Court Security Act 2005 (NSW)).
8. Checklist
| Step | Action | Done |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Email [email protected] before 12 pm: matter, notice of appearance, contact details | ☐ |
| 2 | File bundle electronically with the Registry and serve it on the prosecution | ☐ |
| 3 | Receive Webex link and Form 2 link from Registry | ☐ |
| 4 | Confirm receipt of police facts and antecedents from prosecution | ☐ |
| 5 | Notify Registry when ready to proceed | ☐ |
| 6 | Join Webex displaying full first name and surname; wait in lobby | ☐ |
| 7 | Complete Form 2 when ready to proceed | ☐ |
Sources
- Local Court of NSW, Bail Division — localcourt.nsw.gov.au (last updated 29 March 2026)
- Local Court of NSW, Bail Division Information Guide (November 2025)
- Local Court of NSW, Practice Note – Bail Division Proceedings (issued 27 June 2025; commenced 7 July 2025) — since consolidated into Practice Note – Bail Proceedings (commencing 22 November 2025)