NSW Port Macquarie Local Court List Today

The Port Macquarie Local Court is the busiest entry point for criminal, traffic, civil and family law matters across the Hastings region, and it sits every weekday before a presiding Magistrate at 24-28 Murray Street in the centre of town. If you have been given a court date, are supporting a family member, or are a legal practitioner confirming a listing, this page helps you find the daily Port Macquarie court list quickly, understand what happens on the day, and know exactly where to go. Court lists are published for matters up to three weeks in advance and one week in the past, so you can confirm the date, time and courtroom of a case well ahead of an appearance.

Port Macquarie is a coastal city on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, roughly 390 kilometres north of Sydney and about 19 kilometres east of Wauchope at the mouth of the Hastings River. The Port Macquarie-Hastings local government area recorded a population of 86,762 at the 2021 census, with an estimated 88,311 residents by 2022, which makes this one of the higher-volume regional registries in the state. The courthouse serves not only the city itself but also surrounding communities across the Hastings and wider Mid North Coast, so its daily law list can run to dozens of matters on a standard sitting day.

What the Port Macquarie Local Court deals with

The Local Court is where the overwhelming majority of criminal proceedings in New South Wales begin and end. Across the state, the Local Court finalised 141,616 matters in 2024/25, which represented about 94 per cent of all criminal court finalisations in NSW that year. Because it carries such a large share of the workload, understanding the court's jurisdiction helps you prepare for what to expect when your matter is called.

The Port Macquarie Local Court hears the following categories of matter:

• Criminal matters: summary offences such as minor assault, theft, property damage and low-level drug offences, along with committal proceedings for more serious indictable charges that are later referred upward.
• Traffic matters: drink driving, drug driving, speeding, negligent driving and licence-related offences, which nationally remain the single largest category of finalised matters.
• Bail applications: decisions on whether a person is released or remanded pending the next stage of their case.
• Apprehended Violence Orders (AVOs): both domestic and personal protection orders.
• Civil disputes: money and property claims valued up to $100,000. Disputes above that threshold are dealt with in a higher court.
• Appeals and licence reviews: including appeals against decisions such as a licence suspension.

Matters that are too serious for summary jurisdiction, such as major assaults, sexual offences, large-scale fraud or drug trafficking, are committed to the District Court. If your matter has been referred, you can check the Port Macquarie District Court list for its next listing date and courtroom.

Statistics that put the Port Macquarie court list in context

Court volume in New South Wales has climbed sharply in recent years, and the numbers explain why a daily list can be long and why hearing dates are often set well in advance. The following figures come from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) for the year to June 2025:

• The NSW criminal courts finalised 151,113 court appearances in 2024/25, an increase of 7.4 per cent on the previous year.
• Local Court finalisations rose 7.7 per cent, up 10,168 matters, to 141,616.
• Domestic violence-related finalisations increased 12.1 per cent and now account for 27.1 per cent of all Local Court finalisations.
• The median time for a defended hearing in the Local Court was 263 days, which was 16 days shorter than the prior year but still 65 days longer than in 2018/19.
• Traffic and vehicle offences remained the largest single offence type, with 45,371 defendants found guilty on that principal offence statewide.
• Across all finalised matters, 86 per cent of defendants had a proven charge and 8 per cent were withdrawn by the prosecution.

These trends matter at a practical level. Longer median hearing times mean that checking your listing regularly is worthwhile, because dates can move. The high proportion of domestic violence and traffic matters also reflects the everyday mix of work you are likely to see on the Port Macquarie daily list.

Court facilities, registry hours and access

The Port Macquarie courthouse operates Monday to Friday. Registry hours are 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm, while telephone hours run from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. The general registry number is 1300 679 272. Audio Visual Link (AVL) facilities are available in court rooms 1, 2 and 3, which allows some appearances and evidence to be heard remotely rather than in person.

The building offers wheelchair access, lifts and accessible facilities, and interpreter services can be arranged in advance by contacting the registry. All visitors pass through a security checkpoint on entry, so arriving at least 30 minutes before your listed time is sensible. Street and nearby public parking is available, and local bus services stop close to Horton Street. Food, drink and recording devices are not permitted inside the courtroom.

How to read and use the daily list

The daily law list shows each matter by name or case number, the courtroom, and the type of listing, such as a mention, a sentence, a defended hearing or a bail application. Names are partially masked for privacy. Because listings can change at short notice, it is always wise to confirm details with the registry on the day. You can browse the full NSW court list today if you need to check a matter listed at another location on the same day, or track a case that has moved between registries.

Other Port Macquarie and Mid North Coast jurisdictions

The Murray Street complex hosts more than one jurisdiction, and matters often move between them as they progress. Beyond the Local and District Courts, the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia holds circuit sittings at the same address, and the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal hears certain matters in the region. If your matter concerns tenancy, consumer claims or guardianship rather than a criminal or traffic charge, you may need the Port Macquarie NCAT list instead. For nearby coastal registries, you can also review the Coffs Harbour Local Court list, which serves the next major centre to the north.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Port Macquarie Local Court located?

The court is at 24-28 Murray Street, Port Macquarie NSW 2444, in the centre of town. The postal address is PO Box 6, Port Macquarie NSW 2444, and the registry can be reached on 1300 679 272.

What days does the court sit?

The Port Macquarie courthouse sits every weekday, Monday to Friday, hearing the day's criminal, traffic, civil, AVO and family law matters before a presiding Magistrate.

How far in advance is the court list published?

Court lists cover matters up to three weeks in the future and one week in the past. You can search by name, case number or date, but you should always confirm your listing with the registry, as details may change.

Can I represent myself at the Local Court?

Yes. You are entitled to represent yourself, although legal advice is recommended, particularly for criminal, traffic or AVO matters where an outcome can affect your record or licence.

Can I request an interpreter?

Yes. Interpreter services can be arranged in advance by contacting the registry before your court date.

What monetary limit applies to civil disputes?

The Local Court deals with civil money and property matters valued up to $100,000. Disputes above that amount are heard in the District Court or a higher court.

What happens if my matter is too serious for the Local Court?

Serious indictable offences are committed to the District Court. If your matter has been referred, check the Port Macquarie District Court list for its next date and courtroom.