NSW Forster Local Court List Today

Forster Local Court is a sitting location of the Local Court of New South Wales, located on Lake Street in the coastal town of Forster, around 300 kilometres north of Sydney on the Mid North Coast. The courthouse, also known as Forster Court House, serves residents of Forster, Tuncurry and the wider Great Lakes and Manning Valley districts within the Mid-Coast Council local government area. As a general court of summary jurisdiction, it hears the bulk of criminal, traffic, civil and domestic violence matters that arise in this part of regional New South Wales before they are either finalised locally or committed to a higher court.

The Local Court is the busiest tier of the NSW court system. According to the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR), the Local Court accounts for roughly 94 per cent of all criminal court finalisations in the state, which makes venues like Forster the first and most common point of contact between the community and the justice system. Understanding how this court operates, what it deals with and how to read its daily list helps defendants, witnesses, family members and legal practitioners prepare with confidence.

Location, contact details and sitting arrangements

Forster Court House sits on Lake Street, close to the town centre and the shores of Wallis Lake. The registry is the administrative office that manages filings, payments and enquiries for matters listed at this location. The court does not sit every weekday. Instead, it operates on scheduled sitting days set out in a monthly calendar that is displayed at the courthouse, so confirming your listing date in advance is important.

• Street address: Lake Street, Forster NSW 2428
• Postal address: PO Box 158, Forster NSW 2428
• Telephone: 1300 679 272
• Email: local-court-forster@justice.nsw.gov.au
• Fax: 02 6555 8423
• Registry hours: 9.00am to 4.00pm
• Telephone hours: 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday
• Facilities: Audio Visual Link (AVL) is available, allowing some appearances to be conducted remotely

The courthouse recently underwent large-scale renovations, which included the installation of a secure dock in the courtroom and a significant expansion of the registry and public waiting areas. Forster forms part of the Taree court circuit, meaning it shares magistrates and administrative resources with nearby courts across the Manning district.

Getting to the courthouse

Forster is approximately a four hour drive from Sydney. Public transport options are limited compared with metropolitan areas: regional coach services connect Forster with Taree and the North Coast rail line, from where trains run toward Newcastle and Sydney. Parking is available in the streets surrounding Lake Street, though visitors should allow extra time on busy list days.

Forster shares its circuit with the district's main hub, so committals and more serious matters commonly move up the road. When a summary charge is upgraded or a serious indictable offence is committed for trial, it is generally dealt with at Taree District Court rather than in Forster. Anyone checking a listing that has been sent onward should switch to the Taree local court list or the higher court list for the correct sitting day, as the file follows the magistrate's committal.

What matters are heard at Forster Local Court

The Local Court has a broad workload spanning criminal, traffic and civil law. At Forster, a magistrate deals with the following categories of matters.

Criminal and traffic matters

The majority of criminal cases in NSW begin and end in the Local Court. A magistrate hears and determines summary offences, which are less serious matters heard without a jury, and conducts committal proceedings for serious indictable offences that are ultimately sent to the District or Supreme Court. Traffic and vehicle offences remain the single largest category of work statewide. In the 12 months to June 2025, traffic and vehicle offences accounted for 45,371 finalised matters across NSW, far ahead of any other offence type. Common matters at Forster include:

• Drink driving (PCA) and drug driving charges
• Driving while suspended, disqualified or unlicensed
• Speeding and negligent driving
• Common assault and affray
• Larceny, shoplifting and property offences
• Drug possession and minor supply
• Break and enter
• Bail applications

Civil disputes

The Local Court also resolves civil claims about money and property up to a value of $100,000. These matters are divided into two divisions. The Small Claims Division hears straightforward claims of up to $20,000 using less formal procedures where the strict rules of evidence do not apply. The General Division hears claims between $20,000 and $100,000, with a separate limit of $60,000 for claims involving personal injury or death. Typical civil disputes include unpaid debts, building and contract disputes, and damage arising from motor vehicle accidents. Civil cases are decided on the balance of probabilities, a lower standard than the criminal standard of beyond reasonable doubt.

Apprehended Violence Orders and domestic violence

Applications for Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders (ADVOs) and Apprehended Personal Violence Orders (APVOs) are heard at Forster, alongside any associated criminal charges. Domestic violence is one of the fastest growing areas of Local Court work. BOCSAR data shows domestic violence related matters rose 13.3 per cent statewide in 2025 and now make up more than one in four Local Court finalisations. The number of adult offenders proceeded against for domestic violence offences reached a record 45,984 in 2025, partly because the share of reported domestic assaults resulting in a charge climbed from 65.7 per cent to 69.4 per cent in a single year.

Forster Local Court within the wider NSW court system

The scale of the NSW Local Court helps explain why regional venues like Forster stay consistently busy. In the 2025 calendar year, NSW criminal courts finalised 156,256 court appearances, an increase of 8.3 per cent on the previous year. Local Court finalisations alone rose 9.1 per cent, climbing from 134,735 in 2024 to 146,977 in 2025. Most defendants do not contest their charges: across the state, around 86 per cent of finalised defendants had at least one charge proven, while about 8 per cent had their matters withdrawn by the prosecution.

Waiting times have improved recently but remain significant. The median time from arrest to finalisation for defended hearings in the Local Court fell by 28 days, from 275 days in 2024 to 247 days in 2025. For anyone with a matter listed at Forster, this underlines the value of obtaining early legal advice and preparing thoroughly, because a defended matter can take many months to reach a hearing.

Crime and court trends across the Mid-Coast region

Forster falls within the Mid-Coast Council local government area, which recorded a population of 96,579 at the 2021 Census across a large area of 10,053 square kilometres. The town of Forster itself had 14,709 residents at the 2021 Census, with estimates placing the population above 15,000 by mid 2025. The region has an older demographic profile, with a median age of 57 in Forster, reflecting its status as a retirement and sea change destination.

Crime patterns across the Mid-Coast broadly track statewide trends. BOCSAR figures for the area have shown domestic violence related assault rising over recent years, running ahead of the state average, along with increases in intimidation, stalking and harassment, and retail theft. Break and enter offences, by contrast, have generally declined. Across Regional NSW in the two years to March 2026, only domestic violence related assault (up 1.4 per cent) and steal from retail store (up 8.4 per cent) increased among the major crime categories, while all others remained stable. These trends feed directly into the mix of matters listed at Forster Local Court.

How to read the Forster Local Court list

A court list, sometimes called a daily law list, sets out the matters scheduled to be heard on a given day, including the name of each party, the time, and the assigned courtroom where available. The NSW online court lists show matters up to three weeks in advance and one week in the past, which allows parties to plan ahead and confirm exactly when and where they need to attend.

When reviewing the Forster list, keep the following in mind:

• Names are commonly listed by surname and may be partially masked for privacy on third party services.
• A listing time such as 9.30am is usually the time the entire list is called, not a personal appointment slot.
• Matters can be adjourned, brought forward, or moved between courtrooms at short notice.
• The list distinguishes between mentions, which are brief procedural appearances, and hearings, where evidence is heard.
• Always confirm details with the registry before travelling, as listings can change.

If your matter is not showing at Forster, it may be listed at another registry on the same stretch of coast. Both the Port Macquarie court list to the north and Kempsey court listings handle overflow and circuit work for the Mid North Coast. Confirm which venue holds your file before you travel, because a listing can move between towns when a sitting day is reallocated or a magistrate is rostered elsewhere.

Preparing to attend Forster Local Court

Whether you are appearing as a defendant, a witness or a support person, a little preparation reduces stress on the day. Practical steps include:

• Arrive at least 30 minutes early to clear security and find your courtroom.
• Dress neatly and respectfully; there is no formal dress code, but presentation matters.
• Bring all paperwork relating to your matter, including any notices, bail papers or correspondence.
• Turn mobile phones to silent and remove hats and sunglasses inside the courtroom.
• If you need an interpreter, arrange one through the registry in advance at no cost.
• Consider seeking legal advice; duty solicitors and Legal Aid may be able to assist eligible people on the day.

Frequently asked questions

Is Forster Local Court open every day?

No. Forster operates on scheduled sitting days published in a monthly calendar displayed at the courthouse. The registry telephone line is available Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 4.30pm, but the court itself does not sit on every weekday, so you should confirm your listing date before attending.

How do I find out when my matter is listed?

You can check the Forster Local Court list online, search by name or case number, or contact the registry on 1300 679 272. Listings are generally available up to three weeks ahead of the hearing date.

What is the difference between a mention and a hearing?

A mention is a short procedural appearance where the court checks the progress of a matter, sets dates, or accepts a plea. A hearing is where evidence is presented and the magistrate decides a contested matter. Most first appearances at Forster are mentions.

Can I appear by Audio Visual Link?

Forster Court House has Audio Visual Link (AVL) facilities, which allow certain appearances to occur remotely. Whether AVL is appropriate depends on the type of matter and the court's directions, so ask the registry or your lawyer.

What types of cases go to a higher court instead?

Serious indictable offences, such as major drug supply, serious violence and sexual offences, start in the Local Court through committal proceedings but are ultimately dealt with in the District or Supreme Court. Civil claims above $100,000 are also outside the Local Court's limit and are filed in the District or Supreme Court.

Do I need a lawyer for Forster Local Court?

You are entitled to represent yourself, and many people do, particularly in the Small Claims Division. For criminal, traffic or domestic violence matters where a conviction or penalty is possible, legal advice is strongly recommended. This page provides general information only and is not legal advice.