If you have been a victim of crime and there were criminal proceedings against the offender, you may be able access Court documents. You can make an application to the relevant Local, District, or Supreme Court where the matter was heard.

You may be entitled to fee free access to judgments and written evidence in those Court proceedings in which you are concerned. Fees may be charged for access to other documents, such as transcripts of oral evidence, or you may be required to sign an undertaking to reimburse transcript or copying fees (e.g. where they form part of the costs in a successful civil action for the recovery of damages).

If you have any difficulties obtaining access, or are charged for access to judgments or written evidence, you should discuss the matter with the Registrar of the Court concerned. If you remain dissatisfied you can contact the Victims of Crime Bureau, which may be able to assist you.

For more information about accessing documents for each Court, please select a link below.

Local Court
In the Local Court, you can make enquires about making an application for access to material held by the Court with the Registrar of the Local Court. Usually you will need to write a letter to the Registrar outlining the reasons why you wish to have access to the material.

Visit the Local Courts website.

District Court
In the District Court, you can make an application for Court documents by filling out the form attached to District Court (Civil) Practice Note Number 11: Access to Court Files by Non-Parties.

Application should be made to the Registrar of the Court in which the matter was heard, and you should explain why you wish to access the documents.

Visit the District Court website.

Supreme Court
In the Supreme Court, you can make an application for Court documents by filling out the form attached to Supreme Court Practice Note Number 97: Access to Court Files by Non-Parties. Application should be made to the Registrar of the Court of Criminal Appeal, and you should explain why you wish to access the documents.

Visit the Supreme Court website.