What to bring | Bendigo Law Courts

Prepare for your hearing

You may need to bring some important information with you. This information depends on which jurisdiction you are to attend.

To find out what you may need visit the website of the court or tribunal you are attending:

If you don’t know what you should bring please check the letter, email or SMS you have received with your date and time to come.

You can also contact your court or tribunal you are attending with any questions.

Personal items

You may need to wait until your case is ready to be heard. It’s a good idea to bring something quiet to do while you wait.

For example:

a book or device for entertainment
a notebook and pen if you need to take notes.

What you can’t bring

Everyone who comes to the Bendigo Law Courts goes through a security screening process to enter the building. This is to stop entry of items that could cause injury to another person. While food, coffee and drinks can generally be brought into the building, metal and glass objects, such as bottles and cans or cutlery, are not allowed though security. Please note the list of prohibited items detailed below.

Prohibited items include, but are not limited to:

aerosols
drugs
firearms
weapons
martial arts weapons
a baton
a knife
a box cutter
any item that can be used as a weapon.

Prohibited items are classified as non-offensive or offensive weapons:

An offensive weapon is an item that could cause injury to another person. Court security officers will take away offensive weapons and give them to police. The police can detain or charge you if this occurs.
If you have brought an item that is prohibited but non-offensive, such as scissors, tweezers, or glass bottles, you will be given a receipt for the item. It may be returned to you when you exit the court building.

Bringing any of these items may result in refusal of entry to the building, removal from the building or arrest.

More information is available in the Court Security Act 1980(Opens in a new tab/window).

Mobile phones, photography, and recording devices

You cannot take photos, or record video or sound in the building.

You cannot use mobile, tape or voice recorders to record hearings. If this is required, you must ask the judicial officer (Judge, Magistrate, Member or Judical Registrar).

You can use your mobile phone in public areas only. Mobile phones must be switched off when you enter the courtroom or hearing room.