NSW Supreme Court Sydney Court of Appeal List Today

The New South Wales Court of Appeal is the highest court for civil matters in the state and sits at the top of the NSW civil justice system. Established on 1 January 1966, it was the first intermediate appellate court created in Australia, predating the equivalent divisions in Queensland (1991), Victoria and other states by decades. If you are searching for the daily court list, hearing dates, or listing information for the Court of Appeal in Sydney, this page brings together verified operational data, jurisdictional detail, and practical guidance so you can prepare for an appearance or track a matter with confidence.

The Court of Appeal is a separately constituted division of the Supreme Court of New South Wales. It reviews decisions for legal correctness rather than re-hearing the facts of a dispute, which makes it fundamentally different from a trial court. Its judgments are routinely cited by courts across Australia and by overseas jurisdictions, giving the Court a standing that reaches well beyond the borders of the state. For anyone monitoring appellate proceedings, understanding how the Court is composed, where it sits, and how many matters it handles each year offers a clearer picture of what to expect from the listing process.

Where the Court of Appeal sits in Sydney

The Court of Appeal is located in the Law Courts Building at Queens Square, 184 Phillip Street, Sydney NSW 2000. The building, completed in 1977 in the Brutalist architectural style, stands 114 metres tall across 27 floors and houses 34 state courtrooms alongside 27 federal courtrooms. It is shared with the Federal Court of Australia and the High Court of Australia registry, making Queens Square the central legal precinct of the state.

Practical details for those attending in person:

• Registry: The Supreme Court registry is located on level 5 of the Law Courts Building.
• Courtrooms: Hearings are held across levels 7 to 13.
• Entry: You can access the building from either Phillip Street or Macquarie Street.
• Public transport: Martin Place and St James train stations are the closest rail access, both a short walk away.
• Registry hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
• General enquiries: 1300 679 272.

Arriving at least 30 minutes early is sensible, as security screening applies to all visitors. Confirming your courtroom number against the daily listings before you travel avoids confusion, since matters can move between courtrooms at short notice.

What the NSW Court of Appeal hears

The Court of Appeal has both appellate and supervisory jurisdiction over all other courts in the state system. It hears applications for leave to appeal and appeals from single judges of the Supreme Court, as well as appeals from other NSW courts, commissions, and tribunals. It also determines applications for judicial review, where a party challenges the lawfulness of a decision rather than its merits.

Typical matters that reach the Court of Appeal include:

• Contractual and commercial disputes involving significant sums or points of principle.
• Civil claims for personal injury, negligence, and compensation.
• Property and equity disputes, including trusts and estates.
• Appeals from tribunals such as the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
• Applications for judicial review of administrative decisions.

Criminal appeals are handled separately by the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal, which is the state's highest court for criminal matters. This distinction matters, because many people assume all appeals are heard by a single court. Civil appeals go to the Court of Appeal, while convictions and sentences are reviewed by the Court of Criminal Appeal.

The role of leave to appeal

Not every dissatisfied party has an automatic right to appeal. In many cases, the Court must first grant leave to appeal before the appeal proper can be heard. Leave is generally required where the appeal concerns an interlocutory judgment, a smaller monetary amount, or a decision of certain lower courts and tribunals. An appeal must identify an error of fact or law in the original decision, not simply express disagreement with the outcome. This filtering function is central to how the Court manages its caseload and focuses judicial time on matters of genuine legal significance.

How the Court is composed

The Court of Appeal comprises the Chief Justice, the President of the Court of Appeal, and nine judges of appeal. In addition, the Chief Judge of each trial division is a member of the Court. Acting judges of appeal sit when required, and on occasion a judge from one of the Supreme Court's trial divisions may sit as an additional judge of appeal for the duration of a specific case.

Most appeals are determined by a bench of three judges, though five judges may sit for matters of particular importance. Some applications can be dealt with by two judges, and a single judge of appeal can determine many interlocutory applications and, in some instances, deliver the Court's judgment. This flexibility in composition allows the Court to allocate judicial resources according to the complexity and significance of each matter.

NSW Court of Appeal statistics

The Court publishes detailed operational figures each year in the Court Operations chapter of the Supreme Court Annual Review. These numbers give a reliable sense of workload, disposal rates, and the direction of the caseload over time.

Key verified figures for recent years:

• Filings (net new cases): 366 in 2019, 346 in 2020, 341 in 2021, 354 in 2022, 303 in 2023, and 311 in 2024.
• Disposals: 363 finalised matters in 2023, up 17 per cent on the 311 disposals recorded in 2022.
• Pending caseload: reduced to 148 matters at the end of 2023, a 29 per cent fall from 208 the previous year.

Looking more closely at the 2023 intake, of the 303 new cases the majority (165) were commenced by a notice of appeal. A further 101 cases began by summons seeking leave to appeal, while 37 were brought by summons for the Court to exercise its supervisory jurisdiction. This split illustrates how substantial a proportion of the Court's work involves the leave process before a full appeal can proceed.

The sources of filings are similarly instructive. The Court receives matters not only from single judges of the Supreme Court but also from the District Court, the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal, and specialist bodies such as the NSW Land and Environment Court. The steady decline in the pending caseload across recent years reflects a disposal rate that has consistently kept pace with, or exceeded, new filings.

Appeals beyond the Court of Appeal

The Court of Appeal is the final court of appeal in New South Wales for civil matters. A party dissatisfied with its decision may seek to appeal to the High Court of Australia, but only in matters of public or general importance. Before any such appeal can progress, the applicant must first obtain a grant of special leave from the High Court. Special leave is granted sparingly, generally where the case raises a question of law of public importance or where the interests of the administration of justice require it. For most litigants, this means the Court of Appeal's decision is, in practical terms, the end of the road.

Reading the daily court list

Daily listings are the fastest way to confirm when and where a matter will be heard. The court list identifies the parties, the presiding judges, the courtroom, and the scheduled time. Because appellate matters can involve multiple applications heard together, and because a single judge may deliver judgment in some instances, checking the list on the day of the hearing is the most reliable approach.

When reviewing the list, keep the following in mind:

• Confirm whether your matter is listed for a full appeal, an application for leave, or a directions hearing, as each proceeds differently.
• Note the courtroom number, since appellate matters are generally heard across levels 7 to 13.
• Allow time for security screening before proceeding to the courtroom.
• Cross-check the judges listed, as the composition of the bench signals the significance the Court attaches to the matter.

For those tracking related proceedings, you can also review listings for the broader Supreme Court of NSW in Sydney, which covers the trial divisions, or browse court listings across the state through the NSW court list directory.

Frequently asked questions

Is the NSW Court of Appeal the highest court in the state?

It is the highest court in New South Wales for civil matters. Above it sits only the High Court of Australia, which requires a grant of special leave before it will hear an appeal. For criminal matters, the highest state court is the Court of Criminal Appeal.

Do I always need leave to appeal?

No. Some decisions carry an automatic right of appeal, while others require the Court to grant leave first. Whether leave is needed depends on the nature of the decision being challenged, such as whether it was interlocutory or final, and which court or tribunal made it.

How many judges hear an appeal?

Most appeals are heard by three judges. Five may sit for matters of particular importance, and certain applications can be determined by two judges or, in some cases, a single judge of appeal.

Can the public attend Court of Appeal hearings?

Yes. Most hearings are open to the public unless a court order restricts access. The Law Courts Building is wheelchair accessible and offers lifts, accessible restrooms, and hearing assistance systems, with interpreter and disability support available on request.

Where do I find the daily list for the Court of Appeal?

Daily listings for the Court of Appeal are published for the Law Courts Building at Queens Square. Checking the list on the morning of the hearing is the surest way to confirm the courtroom, the bench, and the scheduled time.