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Virtual Bail Court Scheme

Legal Aid NSW is seeking expressions of interest from existing members of the Back Up Duty Scheme (BUDS) or Duty Solicitor Scheme (DSS) who wish to continue undertaking duty work through the new Virtual Bail Court.

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 bail-related proceedings.

Please note, the centralised model will impact Regional NSW, Newtown and Waverly Local Court only. The full centralised Sydney Weekday Bail Court has not commenced yet. Currently, only Newtown and Waverley Local Courts are included, meaning work offers will be limited for Sydney practitioners until the full Sydney Metro is centralised.

Duty solicitor arrangements

As part of the transition to virtual courtrooms, Legal Aid NSW has undertaken a comprehensive review of its service delivery model. The BUDS and DSS have played a crucial role in providing legal assistance, and this shift to a fully virtual format requires adjustments to the way these services are delivered.

We are asking interested solicitors to apply to be placed on new bail duty lists for their respective hub. Since all bail proceedings will now be conducted virtually, solicitors interested in undertaking Bail Court work must have the necessary skills and technology to appear in virtual courtrooms.

Confidence in using technology to dial into virtual courtrooms, using chat functions and receiving and sending documents electronically are essential.

Before applying, please ensure you have read how the Centralised Bail Court will work on the Regional Weekday Bail Courts page. The new system differs significantly from current Bail Court processes.

To be eligible, practitioners must already be on BUDS or DSS.

This scheme will not impact how BUDS offers are made or offered for existing courts or not impact current DSS Local Court rosters that provide duty services on list days at physical court location.

For more information about this EOI, please watch the video below.

Expression of interest forms

Applications for the first round of intake have now closed. You may still apply, but please note that your application will be assessed at a later date.

For any questions, please email sarah.vuong@legalaid.nsw.gov.au.

EOI form – BUDS solicitors
EOI form – DSS solicitors
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