Who's who in court - Private applications for an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO)
This is a picture of how a courtroom might look for a private application for an AVO in the NSW Local Court.
1 |
Judicial Officer |
5 |
Applicant/s |
 | In AVO cases in the Local Court this may be a registrar or magistrate.
|
| The person or people who apply for an AVO. Applicants usually sit on the right. When they speak to the magistrate or registrar they should stand at the microphone.
|
2 |
Court Officer |
6 |
Defendant |
| This person helps the judicial officer. |
| The person who is defending an application for an AVO. Defendants usually sit on the left.
|
3 |
Bench |
7 |
Bar Table |
| This is where judicial officers sit. You should not go up to the bench unless asked. If you need to give documents to the judicial officer, the court officer will get them from you.
|
| This is the table where you may be asked to sit by the Judicial Officer when your case is called.
|
4 |
Witness Box or Stand |
8 |
Gallery |
| This is where a witness will sit if they are asked to give oral evidence, under oath. |
| This is where police officers, Domestic Violence Liaison Officers (DVLOs) or representatives from the Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service (WDVCAS) will sit.
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