Tips for your visit to the Bendigo Law Courts
You may be unsure what to say or do when you go to a court or tribunal for the first time. Personal conduct when you are at the Bendigo Law Courts is important. There are some steps you can take to help with your visit.
Conditions of entry
Remember to follow the Conditions of entry when you are in the building.
Personal behaviour
Everyone is required to be respectful, courteous and polite to each other.
In a courtroom or hearing room
There are several things you can do:
- be on time
- turn off your mobile phone
- do not wear a hat or sunglasses
- if you are wearing a hoodie, take the hood down
- do not eat or drink (water is allowed)
- if you are physically able:
- stand and bow when the judge, magistrate, member, or judicial registrar enters or leaves the courtroom or hearing room
- remain standing until the judge, magistrate, member, or judicial registrar is seated
- stand when speaking
- bow when you enter or leave the courtroom or hearing room
- do not approach the judge, magistrate, member, or judicial registrar
- wait until you are asked to speak
- ask for the judge’s, magistrate’s, member’s or judicial registrar’s permission before handing over documents to the bench clerk or the judicial support staff.
What to call the judge, magistrate, member or judicial registrar
What to call the person conducting your hearing depends on which court or tribunal your case is in.
When speaking to a member of a court or tribunal address them as "Your Honour."
When speaking with Judicial Registrars, and some VCAT positions, use "Sir" or "Madam."
You should stand, if physically able, when you are spoken to or when speaking to them.
To learn more, read this guide(Opens in a new tab/window) from the Supreme Court of Victoria.
What to wear
There aren’t any specific rules on what to wear to attend court or a tribunal. If you are unsure about what to wear you can contact the relevant court or tribunal.
When in the courtroom or hearing room please remove your hat or sunglasses.
If you are wearing a hoodie, take the hood down.
Reviewed 7 December 2023
