| Name | Court Room | Time |
|---|---|---|
| D** BILLINGS | Court 1 Orange | 9:30 am |
Last updated: 12 Sep 2026, 3:35 am. Names are partially masked for privacy. Details may change — always check with the Registry.
The Supreme Court of New South Wales conducts regional circuit sittings in Orange, bringing the state's highest trial court to the Central Tablelands. Sittings are held at the Orange Courthouse on the corner of Lords Place and Byng Street, opposite Robertson Park, in the heart of the Orange central business district. When the Supreme Court sits on circuit in Orange, it hears the most serious criminal trials and complex civil matters that would otherwise require parties from the region to travel to Sydney, keeping justice accessible to residents across the Cabonne, Blayney and wider Central West districts.
As a superior court of record, the Supreme Court exercises unlimited jurisdiction in both criminal and civil matters. On circuit in Orange it primarily hears indictable criminal trials before a judge and jury, including homicide and other grave offences committed within the region. This page explains how Orange Supreme Court circuit sittings work, what appears on the daily court list, and where to find related listings so you can plan your attendance with confidence.
Where the Supreme Court Sits in Orange
Supreme Court circuit matters in Orange are heard at the heritage-listed Orange Courthouse, completed in 1883 and designed by Colonial Government Architect James Barnet. The building sits on the traditional lands of the Wiradjuri people and is protected under NSW state heritage legislation. The same courthouse hosts Local Court, District Court and NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) sittings, so it is important to check the daily list to confirm which jurisdiction and courtroom your matter has been allocated to.
- Address: Cnr Lords Place and Byng Street, Orange NSW 2800
- Opposite: Robertson Park, Orange CBD
- Postal: PO Box 53, Orange NSW 2800
- Registry hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:30pm
- Nearest transport: Orange railway station, served by the daily XPT service between Dubbo and Sydney; local bus services stop on Byng Street
What the Orange Supreme Court Circuit Hears
When the Supreme Court sits on circuit in a regional centre such as Orange, its work is concentrated in the Common Law Division. The matters most commonly listed include:
- Serious criminal trials: murder, manslaughter and other homicide offences prosecuted on indictment before a judge and jury.
- Sentence proceedings: hearings where an accused has pleaded guilty or been found guilty and the presiding judge determines the appropriate penalty.
- Pre-trial and arraignment matters: procedural hearings that fix trial dates, resolve legal argument and manage the progress of a case.
- Bail applications: applications to the Supreme Court for release pending trial, where the court's supervisory jurisdiction is engaged.
Less serious indictable matters, such as many assaults, sexual offences and large-scale property crime, are generally dealt with by the District Court, while summary offences and civil claims up to $100,000 are heard in the Local Court. Understanding this hierarchy helps you identify the correct list before you travel to the courthouse.
Orange Supreme Court List: How to Read the Daily Listings
A Supreme Court circuit list for Orange sets out each matter scheduled for a given sitting day. Every entry ordinarily shows the case title, the presiding judge, the courtroom, the listing type (for example trial, sentence, arraignment or mention) and the scheduled start time. Because the Orange Courthouse hosts several jurisdictions under one roof, always confirm that the matter you are attending is listed under the Supreme Court rather than the District or Local Court.
The Orange District Court handles the region's intermediate-level indictable matters and appeals, and often sits in the same building, so cross-checking both lists avoids confusion on busy sitting days. If your matter is summary in nature, the Orange Local Court list is the one to consult. For the most serious matters heard in the state's principal registry, you can also review the Supreme Court sittings in Sydney, where the majority of the Court's trial and appellate work is conducted at the Law Courts Building on Queens Square and at Darlinghurst.
Supreme Court of NSW: Verified Statistics and Context
The scale of the Supreme Court's criminal workload illustrates why efficient regional circuits matter. According to figures published in the Court's official reporting, the following data provides useful context for anyone following Orange Supreme Court proceedings:
- In 2024, the majority of criminal filings in the Supreme Court were initiated by the NSW Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, with a large share relating to homicide offences.
- The average criminal trial in the Supreme Court during 2024 ran for approximately four weeks, consistent with 2023, while the longest single trial to commence that year ran for 26 weeks.
- The Court handed down 63 sentences during 2024, and in 2024 around 29 per cent of criminal cases were finalised within 12 months and 80 per cent within 24 months.
- Across the wider NSW system, criminal courts finalised more than 151,000 court appearances in 2024/25, an increase of 7.4 per cent on the previous year, according to the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR).
- The proportion of proven defendants receiving a custodial penalty rose to 10.0 per cent in 2024/25, up from 9.1 per cent the year before.
The Supreme Court of New South Wales was established under the Supreme Court Act 1970 (NSW) and traces its origins to the proclamation of the Third Charter of Justice, with the first sitting under Chief Justice Sir Francis Forbes held on 17 May 1824. In 2024 the Court marked the bicentenary of that first sitting. Decisions of the Supreme Court may be further appealed only to the High Court of Australia, and then only by special leave.
Attending the Orange Courthouse
If you plan to attend a Supreme Court sitting in Orange, allow extra time to locate your courtroom and pass through security. Street parking and public parking are available near the courthouse, and early arrival is strongly recommended on trial days when jury panels are present. The courthouse offers wheelchair access, lifts and accessible facilities, and interpreter services can be arranged in advance by contacting the registry.
Regional circuits are shared across the Central West, so the Supreme Court's presence in Orange complements sittings at nearby centres. For matters connected to the neighbouring region, the Dubbo District Court serves as another key regional venue, and Supreme Court circuit work is periodically conducted at several regional locations including Newcastle, Dubbo, Albury, Orange and Port Macquarie.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Supreme Court sit permanently in Orange?
No. The Supreme Court sits permanently in Sydney and conducts sittings in Orange on a circuit basis as required. Circuit dates are scheduled according to the volume and readiness of matters in the region, so you should check the current daily list before attending.
What is the difference between the Supreme Court and District Court in Orange?
The Supreme Court is the highest trial court in the state and hears the most serious offences such as murder and complex civil disputes. The District Court is the intermediate court and hears serious indictable offences and appeals below that threshold. Both may sit in the Orange Courthouse.
How do I find out if a matter is listed in Orange today?
Check the daily Supreme Court circuit list for Orange, which shows the case title, judge, courtroom and start time. Confirm the matter is listed under the Supreme Court, as the same building hosts Local Court, District Court and NCAT sittings.
Can I appeal a Supreme Court decision made in Orange?
Yes. Appeals from single-judge Supreme Court decisions are generally heard by the NSW Court of Appeal or Court of Criminal Appeal. A further appeal to the High Court of Australia is possible only by special leave.
Is the Orange Courthouse accessible?
Yes. The courthouse provides wheelchair access, lifts and accessible facilities, and interpreter services can be arranged in advance through the registry.
