Who's who in court
Use this page to find out who will be present when you attend a certain type of hearing or conciliation conference. You will also find descriptions of the role of each person who is present.
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.
