NSW Fairfield Local Court List Today

Fairfield Local Court is one of the busiest suburban courthouses in south-western Sydney, sitting at the corner of Spencer Street and Court Road in the heart of Fairfield. It hears criminal, civil and apprehended violence matters for a catchment that includes Cabramatta, Bossley Park, Wetherill Park, Smithfield, Canley Vale, Prairiewood and the surrounding suburbs of the Fairfield local government area. This page brings together the daily court list, verified contact details, transport information and a plain-language explanation of how the court operates, so you can prepare for a hearing or check a matter with confidence.

What is Fairfield Local Court?

The Local Court is the entry point for almost every criminal and civil case in New South Wales. A magistrate, rather than a judge and jury, presides over proceedings and decides matters under the Local Court Act 2007 (NSW) and the Criminal Procedure Act 1986 (NSW). Fairfield is one of more than 150 Local Court locations across the state, and it forms part of the Sydney metropolitan court network. Because the Local Court sits at the base of the court hierarchy, it handles the highest volume of work, and Fairfield is no exception given the size and population of its catchment.

Most people who attend Fairfield Local Court are there for a mention, a bail application, a plea, a defended hearing, a sentence, or a civil dispute. Serious indictable charges usually begin here through committal proceedings before moving to the District Court or Supreme Court for trial or sentence.

The Fairfield Local Court daily list explained

The daily court list, sometimes called the law list, sets out every matter scheduled to be heard at the courthouse on a given sitting day. It is published by NSW Courts and Tribunal Services and is generally available through the NSW Online Registry the evening before, then updated on the morning of the sitting. Checking the list ahead of time helps you confirm your courtroom, your listing time, and whether your matter has been adjourned or moved.

How to read the court list

• Name: the defendant or party to the matter. On public list pages, names are often partly masked for privacy.
• Court room: the room your matter is allocated to, such as Court 1 Fairfield or Court 2 Fairfield.
• Time: the listing time, most commonly 9:30 am for the morning call-over. A 9:30 am listing is the time the court begins working through that list, not a guaranteed time your matter will be called.
• Matter type: whether the entry is a mention, bail application, plea, hearing or sentence. Two-party entries usually indicate an AVO or civil matter between an applicant and a respondent.

Because listings can change without much notice, always treat the online list as a guide and verify anything important directly with the Fairfield registry.

Matters heard at Fairfield Local Court

Criminal jurisdiction

The court deals with summary offences in full, and with many indictable offences that can be finalised summarily. Common matters include drink and drug driving, assault, larceny and shoplifting, drug possession and supply, break and enter, affray, intimidation and breaches of court orders. Magistrates also hear bail applications and decide whether a defendant is released or held in custody pending the next stage of their case.

Apprehended Violence Orders (AVOs)

Fairfield hears both Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders and Apprehended Personal Violence Orders. These are protective orders rather than criminal charges, although breaching an order is a criminal offence. Given the community it serves, domestic and family violence work makes up a significant share of the court's protective order list.

Civil jurisdiction

The Local Court civil jurisdiction resolves money disputes and debt recovery. The Small Claims Division deals with claims up to $20,000, and the General Division handles claims from $20,000 up to $100,000. Typical civil matters include unpaid debts, consumer disputes, building and trade disagreements, and property damage claims.

Traffic matters

Traffic and vehicle offences are among the most common reasons people attend any Local Court in New South Wales. At Fairfield these range from speeding and unlicensed driving to more serious charges such as high-range drink driving and dangerous driving, which can carry licence disqualification and, in some cases, imprisonment.

If your matter is finalised at Fairfield and you decide to appeal a conviction or sentence, or if you are committed for a serious indictable charge, the case moves up to the District Court. Most Fairfield committals and appeals are dealt with at the Downing Centre District Court in the city or at the Parramatta District Court, so it is worth confirming which venue your notice names before you plan the trip.

Fairfield Local Court by the numbers

The scale of the Local Court in New South Wales explains why courthouses like Fairfield are so busy. According to the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR), the NSW criminal courts finalised 151,113 defendant appearances in the year to June 2025, an increase of 7.4 per cent on the previous year. The Local Court carried the overwhelming majority of that workload.

• The Local Court finalised 141,616 criminal matters in 2024/25, up 7.7 per cent, or 10,168 matters, on the year before.
• The Local Court now accounts for about 94 per cent of all criminal court finalisations in the state.
• Domestic violence related matters made up 27.1 per cent of Local Court finalisations, up from 26.0 per cent a year earlier.
• Around 86 per cent of finalised matters resulted in at least one proven charge, while roughly 8 per cent were withdrawn by the prosecution.
• 9.3 per cent of defendants were bail refused at the time their matter was finalised.
• The median time to complete a defended hearing in the Local Court was 263 days, which was 16 days shorter than the previous year but still longer than pre-pandemic levels.

Statewide, traffic and vehicle offences were the single largest category of proven matters, followed by offences against justice procedures and orders, acts intended to cause harm, drug offences and theft. These categories mirror the everyday work you will see on a Fairfield sitting day.

The community the court serves

Fairfield Local Court sits within one of the most culturally diverse areas in Australia. The Fairfield local government area had a population of 208,475 at the 2021 Census, making it the fourth most populous LGA in New South Wales, with a median age of 39. About 56 per cent of residents were born overseas, and roughly seven in ten speak a language other than English at home. The largest ancestries recorded were Vietnamese, Chinese and Assyrian or Chaldean. The suburb of Fairfield itself, where the courthouse stands, had a population of 18,596 and lies about 30 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district. This diversity is why interpreter services and multilingual support are a routine and important part of how the court functions.

Contact details and opening hours

The following details are drawn from the official Local Court of New South Wales listing for Fairfield. Registry staff can help with filing documents, listing enquiries, fine payments and general questions, but they cannot give legal advice.

Street address	Corner of Spencer Street and Court Road, Fairfield NSW 2165
Postal address	PO Box 201, Fairfield NSW 2165
Phone	1300 679 272
Fax	02 6555 8423
Email	local-court-fairfield@justice.nsw.gov.au
Registry hours	9:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday
Telephone hours	8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday
Facilities	Audio visual link (AVL) facilities available

Getting to the courthouse

• By train: Fairfield Station is a short walk from the courthouse and is served by Sydney Trains lines running through the western suburbs. The station is the easiest and most reliable way to arrive.
• By bus: Bus services stop near the station and along the surrounding streets, connecting Fairfield with Cabramatta, Canley Vale, Smithfield and other nearby suburbs.
• By car: On-site parking is limited. Metered street parking is available in the surrounding streets, and paid parking can be found at nearby shopping centres such as Neeta City. Allow extra time during the morning call-over when the area is busiest.

Whichever way you travel, aim to arrive at least 30 minutes before your listing time to allow for security screening and to find your courtroom.

Fairfield is not the only Local Court serving south-western Sydney, and matters are sometimes listed at a neighbouring registry. If you cannot find a name on today's Fairfield list, it may be worth checking the Liverpool Local Court or Bankstown Local Court lists nearby. Tenancy and consumer disputes for the same area are handled separately by NCAT rather than the Local Court.

Attending Fairfield Local Court: what to expect

On arrival you will pass through a security screening point. Dress neatly, turn your phone to silent, and be ready to wait, since matters are called in an order set by the magistrate and the registry rather than strictly by listing time. If you are unsure which courtroom you are in, check the printed list on display at the courthouse or ask a court officer.

Interpreters and language support

Given the linguistic diversity of the Fairfield area, court-appointed interpreters are commonly used. If you need an interpreter, contact the registry before your court date so one can be arranged. There is no charge for an interpreter provided by the court in criminal proceedings.

Audio visual link (AVL)

Fairfield Local Court has audio visual link facilities. AVL allows defendants who are in custody, as well as some witnesses and legal representatives, to appear remotely rather than in person. This is used regularly for bail applications and procedural mentions.

Support at court

Duty solicitors from Legal Aid NSW attend on most sitting days and can assist eligible people who do not have a lawyer. Support services for victims and witnesses, including safe waiting arrangements in domestic violence matters, are also available.

Registry services at Fairfield

The registry is the administrative office of the court. During opening hours you can lodge and file documents, pay court-ordered fines and fees, request copies of orders, and make general enquiries about a listing. Many services, including filing and fee payments, can also be handled through the NSW Online Registry, which reduces the need to attend in person for routine tasks.

Legal help before your court date

If you have a matter listed at Fairfield Local Court, preparing early makes a real difference. Read any notice or court attendance notice carefully, gather relevant documents, and seek advice about your options before the day. Legal Aid NSW, community legal centres and private solicitors can all assist, and the duty solicitor scheme offers a safety net for those who arrive without representation. This page provides general information only and is not legal advice, so always confirm details of your specific matter with the registry or a qualified lawyer.

Frequently asked questions

How do I find my matter on the Fairfield Local Court list?

Check the daily court list on the day before or the morning of your hearing. Look for your name, note the court room and listing time, and arrive early. If a matter appears to be missing or moved, contact the registry to confirm.

What time should I arrive at Fairfield Local Court?

Most lists begin at 9:30 am. Arrive by around 9:00 am to allow time for security screening and to locate your courtroom. Your matter may not be called at the listed time, as the magistrate works through the list in order.

Can I pay a fine or file documents at the courthouse?

Yes. Fines, fees and court documents can be handled at the registry counter during opening hours, from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm on weekdays. Many of these tasks can also be completed online through the NSW Online Registry.

Is an interpreter available at Fairfield Local Court?

Yes. The court can arrange an interpreter, and there is no cost for a court-appointed interpreter in criminal matters. Contact the registry before your court date to organise one.

What kinds of cases are heard at Fairfield Local Court?

The court hears criminal matters, apprehended violence order applications, traffic offences, committal proceedings for serious charges, and civil claims up to $100,000. More serious indictable matters are committed to the District or Supreme Court.