NSW Gundagai Local Court List Today

Gundagai Local Court is the entry point to the New South Wales justice system for the town of Gundagai and the surrounding Riverina district. Sitting on Sheridan Street in one of the state's most historic courthouses, it handles the everyday legal matters that affect local residents, from traffic charges and criminal offences to civil claims and apprehended violence orders. This guide brings together the court's verified contact details, its place within the wider NSW court structure, local caseload figures, and clear guidance on what happens when you have a matter listed here.

Where Gundagai Local Court Is Located

The courthouse is positioned on Sheridan Street in the centre of Gundagai, roughly 390 kilometres south-west of Sydney and about 160 kilometres from Canberra. The town sits on the Murrumbidgee River near the Hume Highway in the Riverina region, which makes the court accessible to residents across the Cootamundra-Gundagai local government area and neighbouring communities such as Coolac, Tumblong, Muttama and Nangus.

Contact Details and Registry Hours

• Address: 161-169 Sheridan Street, Gundagai NSW 2722
• Postal address: PO Box 84, Gundagai NSW 2722
• General phone: 1300 679 272 (8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday)
• Direct line: (02) 6981 5203
• Fax: (02) 6981 5205
• Email: local-court-gundagai@justice.nsw.gov.au
• Registry hours: 10:00am to 1:00pm and 2:00pm to 3:00pm on sitting days
• Sitting days: generally Tuesday and Thursday

Because Gundagai is a circuit location rather than a court that sits every weekday, sitting arrangements can change. Always confirm the date, time and courtroom on your court notice, or check the live listing through the NSW Online Registry and the Local Court's online court lists before you travel.

Getting There and Parking

The courthouse is easy to find on Sheridan Street, close to the town centre and the Gundagai Visitor Information Centre. Free street parking is usually available nearby. Coach and regional bus services connect Gundagai with Wagga Wagga, Tumut and Cootamundra, which is useful if you are travelling in for a listing without a car.

A Courthouse With More Than 160 Years of History

Gundagai Court House was built in 1859 and remains the most imposing public building in the town. It was designed under the NSW Colonial Architect's office, with later work associated with Walter Liberty Vernon, and its distinctive clock was added in 1877. The original cedar interior was lost to a fire in 1943 and rebuilt in mountain ash. The building is recognised for its heritage significance and has hosted many notable cases over the past century and a half.

Its best known moment came in 1879, when the bushranger known as Captain Moonlite, whose real name was Andrew George Scott, faced committal proceedings here after the siege at nearby Wantabadgery Station. Scott was later sentenced to death and executed in Sydney in January 1880. That history is a reminder that Gundagai Local Court has operated continuously as a working courthouse serving the community for generations.

What Cases Does Gundagai Local Court Hear?

As part of the NSW Local Court, this venue deals with a broad range of criminal, traffic and civil matters. More serious indictable offences begin here through committal proceedings before being referred to the District Court.

Criminal Matters

The court hears summary offences and indictable offences that can be dealt with summarily. Common examples include common assault, larceny, malicious damage to property, drug possession, break and enter, and offences against justice procedures such as breaching bail conditions. A magistrate hears the evidence and decides the outcome. There is no jury at this level.

Traffic Matters

Traffic charges make up a significant share of the local list. These include drink driving and drug driving, driving while suspended or disqualified, negligent driving, and serious speeding offences that carry the risk of a licence disqualification. Many of these matters are finalised in a single appearance where a plea of guilty is entered.

Civil Disputes and Small Claims

The Local Court hears civil claims valued up to $100,000. This work is split across two divisions:

• Small Claims Division: disputes up to $20,000, run informally, where the strict rules of evidence do not apply.
• General Division: claims above $20,000 and up to $100,000, with a cap of $60,000 for claims arising from personal injury or death.

Civil matters are decided on the balance of probabilities, meaning the court must be satisfied that a claim is more likely than not to be true. Typical disputes involve debt recovery, unpaid invoices, and consumer or contract disagreements.

Apprehended Violence Orders (AVOs)

The court hears applications for both Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders and Apprehended Personal Violence Orders. These civil orders are designed to protect a person in need of protection by setting conditions on the behaviour of the defendant. Breaching an AVO is a criminal offence and is dealt with by the court separately.

Serious charges rarely finish at Gundagai. Once a matter is committed, it moves to the District Court sitting at Wagga Wagga, the closest venue for trials, sentences and Local Court appeals across the Riverina. If your matter has been referred upward, you will need the Wagga Wagga District Court list rather than this one. Check the day and courtroom there before travelling, since committed matters are often listed weeks ahead of the local sitting.

How Gundagai Local Court Fits Into the NSW Court System

The Local Court is the busiest court in New South Wales and the tier most residents are likely to encounter. Around 95 per cent of all criminal matters and roughly 90 per cent of all civil matters finalised in the state are determined in the Local Court, which operates from more than 160 locations across NSW.

The scale of that workload is significant. According to the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, the Local Court finalised 146,977 criminal matters in 2025, up 9.1 per cent from 134,735 the previous year. Domestic violence related matters continued to grow, accounting for more than one in four Local Court finalisations. Despite the rising volume, the median time from arrest to finalisation for defended hearings actually fell to 247 days in 2025, down from 275 days in 2024, which points to steady efforts to reduce delay.

A magistrate at this level can impose a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment for a single offence, and up to five years in total where multiple offences are sentenced together. If you are unhappy with a decision, an appeal from the Local Court is generally made to the District Court of New South Wales.

Crime and the Local Caseload in the Cootamundra-Gundagai Region

Gundagai Local Court serves a small but geographically large community. The Cootamundra-Gundagai local government area recorded a population of 11,403 at the 2021 Census, with a median age of 49 and a median personal income of $627 per week. About 6.4 per cent of residents identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

Recorded crime figures published by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research help explain the pattern of matters that reach this court. Across the local government area for the year to December 2025, the most frequently recorded offences included:

• Intimidation, stalking and harassment: 98 incidents, a rate of 857.8 per 100,000 people, up 8.3 per cent over ten years
• Breach of bail conditions: 82 incidents
• Malicious damage to property: 69 incidents
• Domestic violence related assault: 51 incidents
• Prohibited and regulated weapons offences: 42 incidents
• Non-domestic violence assault: 38 incidents
• Breach of an Apprehended Violence Order: 35 incidents
• Fraud: 33 incidents
• Cannabis possession or use: 32 incidents
• Break and enter of a dwelling: 23 incidents

These figures reflect the everyday nature of regional court work, where personal violence orders, breaches of court orders, property offences and drug matters make up a large portion of the list. Most reach a resolution quickly, particularly where an early plea is entered.

What to Expect on Your Court Date

Preparing properly can reduce stress and help your matter run smoothly. Regional lists can move quickly, so being organised and on time matters.

Before You Arrive

• Confirm the date, time and courtroom on your notice or through the online court list.
• Arrive 15 to 30 minutes early to allow for registration and to locate your matter on the daily list.
• Bring photo identification and every document connected to your case.
• Bring any evidence you intend to rely on, along with copies where possible.
• Dress neatly and respectfully.

Inside the Courtroom

• Turn your phone off or switch it to silent before entering.
• Stand when the magistrate enters and leaves, and when you address the bench.
• Speak only when it is your turn, and address the magistrate as "Your Honour".
• No food, drink, photography or recording is permitted in the courtroom.

Getting Legal Help and Support

You are not required to have a lawyer, but legal advice can make a real difference to the outcome, especially where a conviction, a fine or a licence disqualification is at stake. Free general information is available through LawAccess NSW, and eligible people may qualify for representation through Legal Aid NSW, including a duty solicitor at court on sitting days. Community legal centres and the Law Society of NSW referral service can also point you towards local assistance. If your matter is complex or you are facing a possible term of imprisonment, obtaining advice well before your listing date is strongly recommended.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Gundagai Local Court?

The court is at 161-169 Sheridan Street, Gundagai NSW 2722, in the centre of town near the Visitor Information Centre.

Gundagai shares its circuit with several nearby registries, so it helps to know where else a matter might be listed. The Cootamundra court list covers much of the same local government area, while the Tumut court list serves communities to the south. For higher volume weekday sittings, many Riverina residents also watch the Wagga court list. Confirm which town holds your listing before you set out.

What days does Gundagai Local Court sit?

It generally sits on Tuesday and Thursday as a circuit location. Because sitting arrangements can change, confirm your listing through the NSW Online Registry or the Local Court's online court lists before attending.

How do I check my court date or find my matter online?

You can search the daily court lists and manage many tasks through the NSW Online Registry. You can search by name, case number, location and date to confirm the time and courtroom for your appearance.

What types of cases are heard at Gundagai Local Court?

The court hears criminal and traffic matters, civil claims up to $100,000, and applications for apprehended violence orders. It also conducts committal proceedings for serious indictable offences that are referred to the District Court.

What is the maximum penalty a magistrate can impose?

A Local Court magistrate can impose up to two years imprisonment for a single offence and up to five years in total for multiple offences dealt with together, along with fines, community based orders and licence disqualifications depending on the offence.

Can I appeal a decision made at Gundagai Local Court?

Yes. Appeals from the Local Court are generally heard by the District Court of New South Wales. Strict time limits apply, so seek advice promptly if you wish to appeal a conviction or sentence.

Do I need a lawyer for a matter at Gundagai Local Court?

Legal representation is not compulsory, but it is often worthwhile. Eligible people may access a Legal Aid duty solicitor at court, and free legal information is available through LawAccess NSW.