| Name | Court Room | Time |
|---|---|---|
| D** M** HUGHES | Unassigned | 9:30 am |
Last updated: 11 Sep 2026, 10:35 am. Names are partially masked for privacy. Details may change — always check with the Registry.
Nowra District Court sits at the Nowra Courthouse on Plunkett Street, NOWRA NSW 2541, serving the Shoalhaven region and the surrounding communities of the New South Wales South Coast. As the intermediate court in the state judicial hierarchy, the District Court occupies the level between the Local Court and the Supreme Court, hearing the more serious criminal and civil matters that fall outside the Local Court's limits. If you are trying to locate a matter, confirm a listing time or check which courtroom a case has been allocated, the daily Nowra court list is the fastest way to plan your day at court.
The District Court of New South Wales was established in 1858 and is the largest trial court in Australia. It operates under the District Court Act 1973 (NSW) and is currently led by Chief Judge Sarah Huggett, who has held the office since 2024. Full-time District Court sittings run in the Sydney CBD and at Parramatta, Penrith, Campbelltown, Newcastle, Gosford, Wollongong and Lismore, while regional centres such as Nowra receive part-time circuit sittings scheduled throughout the year.
What Type of Cases Does Nowra District Court Hear?
The District Court holds a broad criminal and civil jurisdiction. In its criminal jurisdiction, the court deals with all indictable offences except murder, treason and piracy, which are reserved for the Supreme Court. Typical matters heard at Nowra include serious assault, sexual offences, armed robbery, large-scale drug offences, dangerous driving occasioning death, and other strictly indictable charges committed for trial or sentence after a committal hearing in the Local Court.
In its civil jurisdiction, the District Court hears all motor accident claims regardless of the amount in dispute, along with other civil claims from $100,001 up to a maximum of $1,250,000. The court may also deal with matters above this ceiling where the parties consent. Common civil proceedings include:
- Personal injury and negligence claims, including workplace and public liability matters
- Motor vehicle accident compensation cases
- Breach of contract disputes
- Defamation proceedings
Criminal trials in the District Court are heard by a judge and a jury of 12 citizens selected at random from the electoral roll, although an accused person may apply for a judge-alone trial in certain circumstances. This distinguishes District Court trials from Local Court hearings, which are decided by a magistrate sitting without a jury.
Appeals Heard at Nowra District Court
Beyond its trial work, the District Court has an important appellate role. It hears appeals against both conviction and sentence from the Local Court and the Children's Court. A person who has been convicted or sentenced in the Nowra Local Court list may lodge an appeal that is then determined by a District Court judge. Appeals from the District Court itself proceed to the Supreme Court of NSW, the Court of Criminal Appeal or the Court of Appeal, depending on whether the matter is criminal or civil.
Nowra District Court Sitting Dates and Circuit Arrangements
Because Nowra receives circuit sittings rather than continuous daily lists, the sitting calendar is worth checking before you attend. In the District Court civil jurisdiction, Nowra sittings have commenced at 10:00 am on set Monday dates, for example 10:00 am on Monday 20 May 2024 and 10:00 am on Monday 26 May 2025, with each sitting generally running for one week unless otherwise specified. Criminal circuit sittings are listed separately, and the callover determines which trials and sentence matters proceed in the allocated week.
Nowra Courthouse is equipped with Audio Visual Link (AVL) facilities, which allow evidence, appearances and bail-related matters to be dealt with remotely where a party or witness cannot attend in person. Nowra shares circuit arrangements with nearby South Coast and Southern Tablelands courts, and AVL connections operate across venues including Goulburn, Port Kembla and Moss Vale. If your matter is a tribunal listing rather than a court proceeding, check the dedicated Nowra NCAT list instead, as the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal sits under separate arrangements.
Nowra Courthouse Location, Facilities and History
The Nowra Courthouse is centrally located on Plunkett Street, close to the Nowra Police Station and the Nowra Museum. Nowra sits on the Shoalhaven River, roughly 160 kilometres south-southwest of Sydney, and has served as the principal town of the Shoalhaven since around 1870. The town's first courthouse was built at 84 Plunkett Street in 1861, reflecting a long history of court administration in the district that continues at the present-day complex.
Practical details for visitors to the courthouse include:
- Registry hours: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday
- Accessibility: wheelchair access, lifts and accessible facilities are available
- Interpreters: interpreter services can be arranged in advance through the registry
- Getting there: street and public parking is available nearby, and local bus services stop close to Berry Street
Food, drink and recording devices are not permitted inside courtrooms, and visitors are expected to be courteous to court staff and others attending. Hearings can take time or be adjourned, so allow for delays and ask registry staff if you are unsure which courtroom your matter has been listed in. Because the Local Court and District Court sit in the same Nowra courthouse, signage and staff can direct you to the correct jurisdiction on the day.
How to Read the Nowra District Court List
The daily court list sets out each matter scheduled before the court, usually organised by courtroom and by presiding judge. For criminal circuits, the list distinguishes trials, sentence matters, arraignments and callovers. For civil sittings, the list identifies hearings, directions and callovers. Lists are typically published from early morning and reflect the scheduled sittings for the day. If you cannot find your matter, confirm whether it is listed in the District Court, the Local Court or NCAT, as each has its own list. Comparable circuit courts such as the Wollongong District Court list and the Queanbeyan court list follow the same structure, which can help if you have matters listed across more than one South Coast venue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Nowra District Court located?
Nowra District Court is located at the Nowra Courthouse, Plunkett Street, NOWRA NSW 2541. The postal address is PO Box 53, Nowra NSW 2541. The court shares its building with the Nowra Local Court.
What is the difference between the Local Court and the District Court at Nowra?
The Local Court, presided over by a magistrate, deals with summary offences and civil claims up to $100,000. The District Court, presided over by a judge, hears serious indictable offences, civil claims from $100,001 to $1,250,000, and appeals from the Local Court. Serious criminal matters are committed from the Local Court to the District Court for trial or sentence.
Can I represent myself at Nowra District Court?
Yes, you may represent yourself, but legal representation is strongly recommended for serious criminal and civil matters given the complexity and potential penalties involved. Legal Aid NSW and community legal centres can provide assistance before your court date.
When does Nowra District Court sit?
Nowra receives part-time circuit sittings rather than continuous daily lists. Civil sittings have commenced at 10:00 am on scheduled Mondays and generally run for one week. Always check the current sitting dates and the daily list before attending, as circuit dates change each year.
How do I find a case in the Nowra court list today?
Check the daily court list, which is usually available from early morning and organised by courtroom and judge. Confirm the correct jurisdiction, District Court, Local Court or NCAT, and ask registry staff for help if you cannot locate your matter or courtroom.
