NSW Byron Bay Local Court List Today

About Byron Bay Local Court

Byron Bay Local Court sits at 7 Middleton Street, Byron Bay NSW 2481, a short walk from the town centre and the main beach precinct. The courthouse serves Byron Shire and the wider Far North Coast of New South Wales, an area the Australian Bureau of Statistics estimated held 37,826 residents as at 30 June 2024, up from the 36,116 usual residents counted in the 2021 Census. The town of Byron Bay itself had an estimated 6,503 residents in 2024, while the surrounding statistical area recorded 10,914 people at the last Census. Because the region draws large numbers of visitors and seasonal workers, matters listed before this court often involve people who live well outside the shire.

The courthouse is one of the more remote registries in the state, located roughly 800 kilometres north of the Sydney CBD and about 200 kilometres south of Brisbane. It forms part of the Northern group of Local Court venues alongside Ballina, Mullumbimby, Lismore and Tweed Heads. Knowing where the court fits within the New South Wales justice system helps explain what appears on the daily list published on this page.

The Byron Bay Local Court List Explained

The court list on this page sets out the matters scheduled to be heard on a given sitting day. Each entry shows the party or defendant name, the assigned courtroom where known, and the listed time. Names are partially masked with initials to protect privacy. The list is a scheduling tool rather than a record of outcomes, so it tells you when and where a matter is expected to be called, not how it was decided.

Local Court lists across NSW generally cover matters up to three weeks ahead and about one week in the past. The official source is the NSW Online Registry, and the details shown here are drawn from that system. Listings can change at short notice when matters settle, adjourn or are reallocated, so the registry remains the final word on any hearing detail.

How to Read Today's List

Most days at a regional court open with a mention list in the morning, followed by longer matters later on. When you scan the list, match the masked name to the person you are supporting, then note the time and courtroom. If a matter shows as "unassigned" for the courtroom, the allocation is usually confirmed by court staff on the morning of the hearing, so arriving early and checking the noticeboard inside the building is sensible.

Types of Listings You May See

• Mention: a short appearance dealing with the progress of a case, such as entering a plea or setting a timetable.
• Defended hearing: a contested hearing where a magistrate hears evidence and decides the matter.
• Sentence: a listing where a magistrate imposes a penalty after a plea or a finding of guilt.
• Apprehended Violence Order (AVO): applications and mentions relating to personal or domestic protection orders.
• Committal: preliminary steps for serious indictable matters that will ultimately be heard in a higher court.
• Civil list: money and property disputes within the court's civil limit.

If you are supporting someone from outside the shire, it helps to know which venue is actually sitting on your date. Byron Bay does not hold court every weekday, and matters are sometimes shifted to nearby registries when local sittings are light. The Mullumbimby Local Court list and the Ballina Local Court list for today are the two closest alternatives to check before you travel.

Contact Details and Registry Hours

The following details are published by the Local Court of New South Wales and were current at the time of writing. Registry counter hours differ slightly from telephone hours, and the counter opens later on Mondays.

• Street address: 7 Middleton Street, Byron Bay NSW 2481
• Postal address: PO Box 70, Byron Bay NSW 2481
• Phone: (02) 6681 2250
• Fax: (02) 6681 2269
• Email: local-court-byron-bay@justice.nsw.gov.au
• Registry hours: Monday 9:30 am to 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm; Tuesday to Friday 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
• Telephone hours: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday
• Facilities: Audio Visual Link (AVL) facilities are available at this location

What Matters Are Heard at Byron Bay Local Court

The Local Court is the entry point for almost every criminal case in New South Wales and finalises the large majority of them without a jury. It handles summary offences from start to finish and manages the early stages of more serious indictable offences before they move to the District Court. Alongside criminal work, the court deals with a defined range of civil disputes, protection orders and other applications.

Criminal Jurisdiction

Common criminal matters at Byron Bay include drink and drug driving, driving while suspended, drug possession, common assault, affray, break and enter, larceny and property damage. Given the town's role as a tourism and festival destination, alcohol related and public order matters feature regularly. A magistrate hears these cases and can impose penalties ranging from fines and community correction orders through to imprisonment for offences within the court's power.

Civil Jurisdiction

The court's civil side resolves money and property claims. The Small Claims Division deals with disputes up to $20,000, while the General Division hears claims from $20,001 up to $100,000. Matters above that threshold are dealt with in the District Court or the Supreme Court, depending on the amount and the type of claim.

Apprehended Violence Orders

Applications for Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders and Apprehended Personal Violence Orders form a significant part of the workload at regional courts. These orders set conditions to protect a person in need of protection, and any breach is dealt with as a criminal matter.

Appeals and Higher Court Matters

Where a party is dissatisfied with a Local Court decision, an appeal generally proceeds to the District Court. For the Byron Bay region, appeals and committed matters are commonly heard at Lismore, the nearest District Court sitting location. Strict time limits apply to appeals, so acting quickly and getting advice matters.

Crime and Justice Context in the Byron Region

The NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) publishes crime data down to local government area level, which gives useful context for the volume and type of work moving through courts like Byron Bay. Across the state, BOCSAR reported that domestic violence related assault rose 3.6% over the two years to March 2025, with increases recorded in 8 of the 13 Regional NSW areas. Sexual assault reports rose 6.4% and retail theft climbed 4.3% over the same period.

Over the longer term the picture is mixed. Property offences such as robbery, break and enter and malicious damage now sit well below their levels of a decade ago, while recorded domestic assault and sexual offences have trended upward. BOCSAR figures show domestic violence assault rising by around 3.0% a year on average and sexual assault by close to 8.8% a year over the ten years to late 2024. On the custody side, the NSW adult prison population reached 13,960, with people on remand making up about 46% of that total, a figure that reflects how many matters pass through bail and mention lists at courts across the state. For current Byron Shire figures by offence type, the BOCSAR crime mapping tool lets anyone build a tailored local report.

Getting to the Courthouse and What to Bring

Getting There

The courthouse is centrally located and reachable by car, bus or on foot. The nearest airports are Ballina Byron Gateway Airport, roughly 30 minutes to the south, and Gold Coast Airport at Coolangatta, around 45 to 60 minutes to the north. Street parking near Middleton Street and Jonson Street is limited and often metered, so allow extra time during peak visitor periods.

What to Bring and How to Conduct Yourself

• Your court notice or attendance notice, plus photo identification.
• Any documents, briefs or evidence relevant to your matter.
• Contact details for your lawyer if you are represented.

Arrive early to allow for security screening, dress neatly, and switch mobile phones to silent inside the courtroom. Treat court staff and the bench with courtesy, and wait for your matter to be called. If you need an interpreter or wheelchair access, contact the registry ahead of your date so arrangements can be made.

Serious indictable matters do not finish here. Once committed, they move to the District Court, and for this part of the coast that usually means the Lismore District Court list. If your matter has been sent up, confirm the Lismore date rather than watching the Byron list. Other Northern Rivers venues, including Casino Local Court, sit on the same regional circuit and may share magistrates during busy periods.

Legal Help and Support

People appearing without a lawyer can seek assistance from Legal Aid NSW and from the Northern Rivers Community Legal Centre, both of which support residents across the Byron and wider Northern Rivers area. A duty solicitor is sometimes available at court for urgent matters, though availability is not guaranteed. Getting advice before your listed date usually leads to a smoother appearance and a clearer understanding of your options.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the Byron Bay Local Court list for today?

You can review the daily list on this page, which reflects matters drawn from the NSW Online Registry. For the most current position, including any late changes, confirm details directly with the court registry on (02) 6681 2250.

Why are names on the court list masked?

Names are partially masked with initials to protect the privacy of the people involved. The list is meant to help parties, witnesses and support people find the right matter, not to publish full personal details.

What time should I arrive?

Most lists begin in the morning, often around 9:30 am. Arriving by 9:00 am gives you time to pass through security, find your courtroom and speak with your lawyer or a duty solicitor if needed.

Can I appear by Audio Visual Link?

Byron Bay Local Court has AVL facilities. Whether your matter can proceed by video link depends on the type of case and the court's directions, so ask the registry in advance.

Where do appeals from Byron Bay Local Court go?

Appeals generally proceed to the District Court, most often heard at Lismore for this region. Time limits apply, so seek advice promptly if you are considering an appeal.