| Name | Court Room | Time |
|---|---|---|
| M** F** T** CHEE v R** FRIEND | Unassigned | 9:30 am |
Last updated: 05 Sep 2026, 1:50 am. Names are partially masked for privacy. Details may change — always check with the Registry.
The Yass Local Court sits at 47 Rossi Street, Yass NSW 2582, serving as the primary venue for local legal matters across the Yass Valley and the wider Southern Tablelands region. Positioned roughly 279 kilometres south-west of Sydney and only 59 kilometres north-west of Canberra along the Barton and Hume Highways, the courthouse handles proceedings for a community of about 17,281 residents recorded across the Yass Valley Council area at the 2021 Census, with the town of Yass itself home to approximately 6,763 people. If you are trying to confirm a hearing date, locate a matter on the daily law list, or plan a visit, this page brings together accurate, verified information about how the court operates and what you can expect.
Unlike metropolitan registries that open Monday to Friday, Yass operates on open court sitting days only, with administrative support coordinated through the Goulburn Local Court registry. This shared arrangement is common for smaller regional courthouses and means scheduling can differ from week to week, so checking the current list before you travel is always worthwhile.
About the Yass Local Court and its jurisdiction
The Local Court is the entry point for almost every criminal case in New South Wales. It deals with more than 90% of all criminal matters in the state, including summary offences and a range of indictable offences that can be dealt with summarily under the Criminal Procedure Act 1986. The scale of this work is significant. According to the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR), the Local Court finalised 146,977 matters in 2025, up 9.1% from 134,735 the previous year, making it by far the busiest tier of the state's court system.
Yass sits within this network as a regional venue where magistrates hear the everyday matters that arise in a rural community. The court is also recognised for its efficiency. NSW Local Courts are nation-leading in timeliness, with 95.1% of criminal matters finalised within twelve months in 2021 to 2022. In 2025, the median time from arrest to finalisation for defended hearings across the state fell to 247 days, down 28 days from the year before, reflecting ongoing efforts to reduce delay.
Criminal matters heard at Yass
The criminal workload at a regional court such as Yass typically covers summary offences and less serious indictable charges. Common examples include:
- Drink driving and prescribed concentration of alcohol (PCA) offences, historically among the most frequent matters in NSW Local Courts
- Traffic offences such as speeding, driving while suspended, and licence-related matters
- Minor assaults and public order offences, including disorderly behaviour
- Property offences such as larceny and malicious damage
- Drug possession and other summary drug matters
- Committal proceedings for serious indictable charges that are later referred to the District Court
Domestic and family violence work has become an increasingly large part of the Local Court's role. BOCSAR reported that domestic violence related finalisations grew 13.3% in 2025 and now account for more than one in four Local Court matters across the state, a trend that is felt in regional courts just as much as metropolitan ones.
Civil and other matters
The Local Court also resolves civil disputes for claims up to $100,000. This civil jurisdiction is split into two divisions. The Small Claims Division hears claims up to $20,000 under less formal procedures where the strict rules of evidence do not apply, while the General Division hears claims over $20,000 and up to $100,000 with more formal processes. Claims for damages arising from personal injury or death are capped at $60,000 in the General Division. Typical civil matters include debt recovery, unpaid invoices, contract disputes, and damage arising from motor vehicle accidents. The court also deals with Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) applications, which protect people from domestic or personal threats to their safety.
Yass courthouse location, contact and registry hours
Knowing the practical details in advance helps your visit run smoothly. The verified contact and registry information for the Yass Local Court is set out below.
- Street address: 47 Rossi Street, Yass NSW 2582
- Postal address: C/- Goulburn Local Court, PO Box 474, Goulburn NSW 2580
- Phone: 1300 679 272
- Fax: 6226 7119
- Registry hours: 9:30 am to 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm on court sitting days
- Telephone hours: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
- Days open: Open court sitting days only
- Audio Visual Link (AVL): facilities are available at this location for remote appearances
The availability of AVL is particularly useful for a regional court, allowing legal practitioners and parties who cannot travel to Yass to appear remotely. If you require an interpreter or accessibility assistance, arrange this with the registry ahead of your court date rather than on the day.
How to check the Yass court list
The daily court list, sometimes called the daily law list, shows every matter scheduled before the court on a given day. The NSW interactive court list lets parties, legal representatives, and members of the public search by name, case number, location, date, jurisdiction, presiding officer, and listing type. Results generally display matters up to three weeks ahead and one week in the past, so you can plan around upcoming appearances or check on a recent outcome.
When reviewing a list, names are usually partially masked to protect privacy, and details can change at short notice. Treat the list as a guide and confirm anything important with the registry directly. If your matter has been adjourned or moved, the updated listing is the most reliable source of truth.
Nearby courts in the Southern Tablelands and Riverina
The Yass Valley sits within a cluster of regional courthouses, and matters are sometimes transferred or coordinated between them depending on sitting schedules and case type. Because Yass shares registry support with Goulburn, many local enquiries are handled there, so the Goulburn local court list is a useful companion resource. To the south, the Queanbeyan court list serves the area closest to the ACT border and is one of the busiest regional venues in the district. Heading north-west, the Young local court list covers the Hilltops area, while the Cootamundra court list serves communities further into the Riverina. Checking neighbouring lists can help if you are unsure which venue your matter has been assigned to.
Planning your visit to Yass Local Court
A little preparation makes court day far less stressful. Keep these points in mind:
- Arrive early. Limited street parking is available near the courthouse around Rossi Street, so allow extra time to find a space.
- Hearings can run longer than expected. Bring anything you may need for a wait and plan your day accordingly.
- Food, drinks, and recording devices are not permitted inside the courtroom.
- Dress neatly and be courteous to court staff and other visitors.
- If you need directions or assistance, registry staff can help with procedural questions, though they cannot give legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Yass Local Court located?
The court is located at 47 Rossi Street, Yass NSW 2582, in the Southern Tablelands region of New South Wales, about 59 kilometres north-west of Canberra and 279 kilometres south-west of Sydney.
What are the registry hours at Yass?
The registry is open from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm on court sitting days, with telephone services available from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm on 1300 679 272.
Can I represent myself at Yass Local Court?
Yes. Self-representation is permitted, but obtaining legal advice is strongly recommended. Free assistance may be available through Legal Aid NSW or a Community Legal Centre before your court date.
Can I appear remotely instead of attending in person?
Audio Visual Link (AVL) facilities are available at the Yass courthouse, which can allow eligible parties and practitioners to appear remotely. Confirm any remote appearance arrangements with the registry in advance.
What happens if my matter is more serious?
Serious indictable offences begin in the Local Court and are then committed to the District Court or Supreme Court for hearing or sentencing. The Local Court manages the early stages, including committal proceedings, before the matter moves to a higher court.
How far in advance can I see a listing?
The interactive court list generally shows matters up to three weeks in the future and one week in the past. Because listings can change, always confirm important dates with the registry.
