Cessation of After-Hours and Telephone Bail Applications by Local Court Judges

The Local Court is ceasing the availability of Local Court Judges for after-hours bail reviews and limiting telephone bail applications.

While after-hours bail reviews will no longer be available, a roster will remain in place for out-of-hours applications in the following categories:

1. Intimate procedure application under the Police Administration Act 1978;
2. Non-intimate procedure applications for youth offenders under the Police Administration Act 1978;
3. Section 137 of the Police Administration Act 1978 applications (extension of time for holding youth offenders);
4. Urgent reviews of domestic violence orders pursuant to the Domestic and Family Violence Act 2007;
5. Urgent care and protection applications.

Additionally, business hours (8am -4.30pm) weekday telephone reviews made to Local Court Chambers will be conducted only for:

1. Defendants who cannot be brought before a Court within 24 to 48 hours (e.g., bush Court locations or where the Court is not sitting the next day);
2. Applications for review where the Defendant is a youth;
3. Urgent matters as listed above.

The final day of the current arrangements will be Friday 7 March 2025.