Who's who in court

Who's who in a hearing before a judge

This is a picture of how a courtroom might look for a hearing before a judge of the Land and Environment Court. 

1 Judge

The Chief Judge allocates judges to particular cases.  The parties do not have a choice in the judge allocated.  The allocation is only made public shortly prior to the hearing

2 Court officer

This person helps the judicial officer.

3 Tipstaff

A tipstaff provides research and administrative support to the judge.

4 Bench

This is the where judge sits. You should not go up to the bench unless asked. If you need to give documents to the judge, the court officer will collect them from you and pass  them to the judge’s tipstaff.

5 Witness box or stand

This is where a witness will sit if they are asked to give oral evidence, under oath.

6 Applicant or prosecutor

This is the person bringing or prosecuting the case. The applicant usually sits on the left side of the bar table facing the bench.

7 Respondent or defendant

This is the person who is defending the case. Defendants usually sit on the right side of the bar table facing the bench.

8 Court monitor

The person who records the hearing of the court case.

9 Bar table

This is the table where you or your legal representative should sit when your case is called.

10 Public gallery

This is where anyone viewing the case will sit.

Who's who in a conciliation conference in a mediation room

This is a picture of how a s 34 or s 34AA conciliation conference in a mediation room before a commissioner in the Land and Environment Court might look.

1 Commissioner

The Chief Judge allocates commissioners to particular cases.  The parties do not have a choice in the commissioner allocated.  The allocation is only made public shortly prior to the hearing.

2 Applicant

This is the person bringing the case.

3 Respondent

This is the person who is defending the case.

4 Witness and experts

Witnesses might be asked to explain their evidence or assist in the discussions between the applicant and respondent.

5 Objectors

For appeals concerning developments, persons objecting to the development might be invited to participate for part of the conciliation conference.

Who's who in an onsite conciliation or hearing

This is a picture of how a s 34 or s 34AA conciliation conference on site or an onsite hearing before a commissioner in the Land and Environment Court might look.

1 Commissioner

The Chief Judge allocates commissioners to particular cases.  The parties do not have a choice in the commissioner allocated.  The allocation is only made public shortly prior to the hearing.

2 Applicant

This is the person bringing the case.

3 Respondent

This is the person who is defending the case.

4 Witness and experts

Witnesses may give oral evidence on site.

5 Objectors

For appeals concerning developments, persons objecting to the development might be invited to participate for part of the conciliation conference or to give evidence at an onsite hearing.

Who's who in a hearing before a Commissioner

This is a picture of how a courtroom might look for a hearing in a courtroom before a commissioner in the Land and Environment Court.

1 Commissioner

The Chief Judge allocates commissioners to particular cases.  The parties do not have a choice in the commissioner allocated.  The allocation is only made public shortly prior to the hearing.

2 Court officer

This person helps the judicial officer.

3 Bench

This is where the commissioner sits. You should not go up to the bench unless asked. If you need to give documents to the commissioner, the court officer will collect them from you and give them to the commissioner.

4 Witness box or stand

This is where witnesses will sit if they are asked to give oral evidence, under oath.

5 Applicant

This is the person bringing the cases. The applicant usually sits on the left side of the bar table facing the bench.

6 Respondent

This is the person who is defending the case. Defendants usually sit on the right side of the bar table facing the bench.

7 Court monitor

The person who records the hearing of the court case.

8 Bar table

This is the table where you or your legal representative should sit when your case is called.

9 Public gallery

This is where anyone viewing the case will sit.