Appearing in the Local Court and Children’s Court

Tuesday 23 March 2021

The Local Court and the Children’s Court are unlike other jurisdictions in NSW due to the sheer volume of work coming before those courts on any given day.  In 2019, the Local Court dealt with 346,930 criminal matters – 96% of all criminal prosecutions in NSW.  It also dealt with 90% of all civil litigation in NSW.  The Local Court regularly deals with fraud and dishonesty offences, often involving amounts exceeding $1 million, as well as drug supply (involving commercial quantities), acts of violence involving grievous bodily harm, robbery, sexual assault and aggravated break and enter offences.  In this seminar, members of the Bar, as well as Magistrates Kennedy and Nash, both formerly of the NSW Bar, will provide insights on how to best navigate the Local Court and Children’s Court, with commentary on advocacy style, conducting criminal hearings, pleas in mitigation, presenting mental health applications and appearing on bail applications.  There will also be a chance for those who presently appear, or are interested in appearing, in the Local Court or Children’s Court to ask any questions they have about these or other topics relevant to practice in these jurisdictions.

Presenters:

• Her Honour Magistrate Erin Kennedy
• His Honour Magistrate Scott Nash
• Tahn O’Rourke, Sir Owen Dixon Chambers
• Joe Pokoney, 9 Wentworth Chambers
• Lauren Sims, Martin Place Chambers

Chair:

• Ian Hemmings SC, Martin Place Chambers

Participants are encouraged to submit questions at registration or by email to cpd@nswbar.asn.au before the seminar.

This seminar has been organised by the NSW Bar Association’s Practice Development Committee.