InBrief

In accordance with the fixed leave period for magistrates, normal rostered sittings of the Local Court will cease on Friday, 21 December 2007 and recommence on Monday,�7 January 2008. The following sitting arrangements are to occur during this period:

Persons in custody

Weekdays that are not public holidays: One magistrate will be rostered at Parramatta Local Court and one magistrate will be rostered at Central Local Court. All persons remanded in custody within the Sydney Metropolitan area are to be dealt with at either Parramatta or Central local courts.

In addition, a magistrate will preside at Parramatta Children's Court to hear bail applications for juveniles in custody within the metropolitan area and any urgent care applications state wide.

Weekends and public polidays: bail courts will operate in accordance with normal arrangements.

Apprehended violence orders A magistrate will be available at Parramatta and Central local courts on week days that are not public holidays to determine urgent applications only during court sittings hours.

•�Parties are not to attend Parramatta or Central Local Courts during the above period for the purpose of obtaining apprehended violence orders.

•�Urgent apprehended violence applications will be referred to the duty magistrate by facsimile during court sitting hours

•�Authorised justices will adjourn matters involving persons in custody to the next sitting day of the court (or circuit if applicable) from which that matter arises on or after 7 January, 2008, not to Parramatta or Central Courts on the next working day, except in exceptional circumstances.

The approval of the duty magistrate at Parramatta and Central Local Courts or Lidcombe Children's Court must be obtained by the authorised justice prior to referring any matter involving persons in custody to the duty magistrate.

Mental health inquiries

Mental health inquiries will be conducted during this period.

Local arrangements will be made regarding the attendance of magistrates for the purpose of conducting inquiries in the Metropolitan, Hunter, Central Coast and lllawarra regions.

In country areas mental health inquiries will be conducted via audio visual link.

10 October 2007