With the passage of the Bail and Other Legislation Amendment (Domestic Violence) Act 2024, the Local Court has begun centralising Bail Courts to streamline bail matters previously handled by Registrars. To facilitate this transition, the Local Court has established a dedicated Bail Division to oversee all adult bail-related proceedings.
Please note that this centralised virtual model will initially affect adults who appear in Local Courts across Regional NSW, Newtown, and Waverley only. The full centralisation of the Sydney Weekday Bail Court has not commenced, meaning work opportunities for Sydney practitioners for Virtual Bail Court will remain limited until the full Sydney Metro rollout.
Stages of centralisation
| Stage | Location | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Weekend Bail Court | Parramatta Children’s Court | Complete |
| Regional Weekday Bail Court (includes Newtown & Waverley) | Downing Centre Local Court | July 2025 |
| Weekend Bail Court relocation | Downing Centre Local Court | January 2026 |
| Sydney Weekday Bail Court | Downing Centre Local Court | TBC |
Further information
Bail centralisation FAQs
Frequently asked questions relating to bail centralisation, including court coordination, responsibilities, papers and documentation, access to defendants, technology and AVL, and more.
Regional Weekday Bail Courts
Changes to regional bail courts from July 2025, locations of court hubs, and how the courts will be covered.
Duty solicitor arrangements for bail centralisation
Changes to the delivery of the Back Up Duty Scheme and Duty Solicitor Scheme in the shift to a fully virtual format.