FAQs for teachers visiting the Sydney Courts

General Questions about Visits to the Sydney Courts

Can we visit the Supreme Court?

School groups can visit the Supreme Court, who now manage their own bookings and experiences. For more information, please go to https://supremecourt.nsw.gov.au/about-us/visits.html

I have adult learners. Do we need a booking for a self-guided visit?

If you have adult learners who want to observe proceedings, you can attend court as a member of the public. If you would like a facilitated experience at the Downing Centre, please get in touch with us at courtvisit@ruleoflaw.org.au.

Can my students attend the courts by themselves in the holidays for observations as members of the public?

Students can attend the courts as members of public in the holidays. We strongly advise that if you are recommending this to your students, that you go through the documentation on our website and give them a briefing as you would if you were to attend as a school group. We also advise that you let parents know that you have encouraged the students to do so. We would not recommend that they attend courts alone, but should go in groups, and they should remember that in attendance at courts there are accused persons who have committed offences against children or are in attendance for drug supply matters.

When will you open the bookings calendar for 2026?

The calendar for 2026 will be available mid Term 3, 2025. We will keep teachers informed of the calendar opening via our members email list and our social media channels on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

FAQs for teachers on a Law Day Out with us

You will find all the relevant information in our Law Day Out Program 2023 Information Pack for Teacher. Click here for a copy.

It is critical that teachers have familiarised themselves with the Court Excursion documents before attending the courts.

Why can't I see any available dates to make a booking for a Law Day Out in 2025?

2025 Law Days Out are fully booked. We have a waitlist of over 30 schools waiting for a space if you would like to be added to it.

What is your booking procedure?

There are two excursion options – The Law Day Out is a paid, facilitated excursions with a judicial speaker, Court Visits are free, self- guided and provide approved access to court buildings. Our booking procedure is outlined in our Booking Flow Chart. Flow Chart for Teachers 2024

The online form isn’t working for me, what should I do?

The Sheriffs have requested that schools outside the Sydney Metropolitan area wishing to book a court experience should contact their Local Regional Courts such as Campbelltown, Penrith, Wollongong or Newcastle. Please note Parramatta Courts are currently unavailable for school excursions.

Where do I find the risk assessment?

You can download the risk assessment and other key documents on our Key Documents page.

What is the start time of my Law Day Out or Court Visit?

Our Law Day Outs start at 8:20am.

The 8:20am start is required by the court staff to ensure that there is sufficient time for students to pass through security and be on time to meet with the judicial speaker.

If the 8:20am start for Law Day Outs is too early for your school, we suggest you book a Court Visit that is free and self-guided.

When will I be invoiced?

You will be sent an invoice at the end of the term before your excursion. Payments can be made via Credit Card or Direct transfer.

Click here to make a payment https://www.ruleoflaw.org.au/court-education/payments/

Why are you asking teachers to prepare questions for students to ask the judicial officers at a LDO?

Judicial Officers frequently request prepared questions to assist their preparation. As the meeting with the judicial officer can often only be for 30 minutes. There is no time to waste and the judicial officer wants to genuinely assist the students with their studies and understanding of the legal system. The prepared questions offer the judicial officer an insight into areas of study they should concentrate on when talking to students.

The Judicial Officers are interested in how students perceive the legal system and their role and enjoy the originality and challenge that some questions pose. Often students are overwhelmed when they first meet a senior judicial officer and prepared questions can be an ‘ice breaker’ to get the conversation started.

A list of Prepared Questions can be found here.

How do I contact my facilitator?

If you need to contact us directly you can email courtvisits@ruleoflaw.org.au

I have to cancel or change my Law Day Out, what is the procedure?

Please contact us on courtvisits@ruleoflaw.org.au

I have a special needs student attending a court excursion.