| Local Court of New South Wales | |
|---|---|
 | |
 James Barnet designed Bathurst Courthouse, completed in 1880, one of the sites for the Local Court. | |
| Jurisdiction |  New South Wales |
| Location | ~160 branches across New South Wales |
| Composition method | Vice-regal appointment upon Premier's nomination, following advice of the Attorney-General and Cabinet |
| Authorized by | Parliament of New South Wales via the Local Court Act 2007 (NSW) |
| Appeals to | |
| Judge term length | mandatory retirement by age of 75 |
| Website | localcourt.nsw.gov.au |
| Chief Magistrate | |
| Currently | Judge Peter Johnstone |
| Since | 2021 |
The Local Court of New South Wales is the lowest court in the judicial hierarchy of the Australian state of New South Wales. Formerly known as the Court of Petty Sessions and the Magistrates Court, there are more than 160 branches across New South Wales where the Local Court has jurisdiction to deal with the majority of minor civil and criminal matters.
Matters are heard before a single magistrate sitting without a jury, addressed as "Your Honour" or "Sir" (but no longer "Your worship").[1] The Local Court has no jurisdiction for claims in equity.
On appeal, matters may be heard by the District Court of New South Wales including appeals against the sentence or conviction decided in the Local Court.[2]
The Chief Magistrate of the Local Court is Judge Peter Johnstone, former President of the NSW Children's Court, who was appointed in September 2021.[3] Judge Johnstone succeeded Judge Graeme Henson, appointed in 2006.[4]
- ^ "Local Court Practice Note No. 1 of 2004: Form of Address in Court" (PDF). Local Court of New South Wales. Government of New South Wales.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Appeals". District Court. Government of New South Wales. 6 June 2016. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
- ^ "Law Society of NSW welcomes new Chief Magistrate". September 2021.
- ^ Nedim, Ugur (6 November 2015). "Behind the Scenes: Downing Centre Magistrates". Downing Centre Court. Sydney Criminal Lawyers. Retrieved 9 August 2016.