The Supreme Court of New South Wales is based in Sydney, but from time to time it sits in regional centres so that serious cases can be heard in the community where they arose. Goulburn, in the Southern Tablelands, is one of those places. This page shows Supreme Court matters listed at Goulburn for the current sitting day and the next one, and keeps the most recent list for reference when the court is not sitting.
What the Supreme Court hears
The Supreme Court is the highest court in New South Wales and has unlimited jurisdiction in both criminal and civil matters. When it sits in a regional town, the list is usually made up of serious criminal cases, above all murder and manslaughter, which are heard by the Supreme Court rather than the District Court. Trials are generally heard by a judge and a jury of twelve, although an accused person can apply in some cases to be tried by a judge alone.
A Goulburn sitting may include:
- Criminal trials for homicide and other serious offences.
- Sentence hearings after a plea of guilty or a guilty verdict.
- Arraignments and directions hearings that prepare a case for trial.
Where the court sits
Supreme Court sittings in Goulburn are held at the Goulburn courthouse on Montague Street, a heritage courthouse that is also used by the Local Court and the District Court. Because several courts share the building, make sure your notice or subpoena refers to the Supreme Court. You can check the other lists for the same courthouse on the Goulburn court list and court lists Goulburn NSW pages. Registry enquiries go through the NSW courts line on 1300 679 272.
How often does it sit?
Regional Supreme Court sittings are arranged around the Court's trial calendar, so there may be long gaps between lists at Goulburn. When a trial is running, the same matter can appear on the list day after day for several weeks. If a matter is not listed in Goulburn, it may be listed in Sydney instead. The Supreme Court of NSW Sydney list covers sittings in the city.
Attending court
Hearings are generally open to the public, although the judge can close the court or restrict publication in some cases. Allow time for security screening, keep your phone silent and do not record anything inside the courtroom. Criminal matters appear on the list as R v followed by the surname of the accused person.
Anyone involved in a Supreme Court case should get legal advice early. Legal Aid NSW can help people who meet its eligibility rules. This page is general information only and not legal advice.