Bringing justice to life
Law Day Out Excursion
Guided court excursions for Year 11 and 12 Students to the Downing Centre Courts, Sydney
What is a Law Day Out?
Building trust in our legal system
The judiciary relies upon public trust to function effectively. It requires confidence in the independence and impartiality of the judiciary and acceptance of judicial decisions. The Rule of Law Education Centre runs Facilitated Court Excursions to the Sydney Downing Centre for year 11 and 12 High School students doing Legal Studies. Excursions are run on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays during school term time.
Students get the opportunity to hear from a Judicial Officer (Judge or Magistrate) from the NSW District or Local Courts before sitting in on real cases before the Courts. For schools wishing to visit the Courts independently, please directly contact the Registrar at your local court.
“Just wanted to say a quick but sincere thank you for your guidance and assistance yesterday at the Law Day Out. Both the boys and myself really enjoyed the day- so much so that the boys wanted to go back in after lunch (which I was not originally expecting). They could not stop talking about what they saw, how “cool’ and interesting it was and they were so engaged!
Thank you from me as a teacher new to Legal Studies whose first experience of Law Day Out was mindblowing and amazing. This was my first visit and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you for spurring on more interest and fascination in the legal system. I think you’ve really rejuvenated us all!”
– Teacher email
Guided Excursions
The Rule of Law Education Centre provides a facilitated excursion for schools wishing to visit the Downing Centre and who would like the assistance of the team at the Rule of Law Education Centre. Our excursions are called a ‘Law Day Out’ and to make a booking, click on the link below.
Law Day Out Court Excursion Program (LDO)
NOTE :We are fully booked for 2025.
A Court Experience facilitated by a Rule of Law Educator with the opportunity, where possible, to meet a Judicial Officer. LDO’s are limited to 45 students and cost is group based pricing based upon the number of students per group.
Virtual Law Day Out
A free online court experience that includes pre-recorded videos with 2 Judges, Sheriffs and a tour of a NSW Court Room.
Court Excursion Documents
The Rule of Law Education Centre has put together a pack of information to help your excursion to the Courts run smoothly. The pack is free of charge and includes an information pack for teachers, risk management proforma and student workbooks.
Court Excursion Payments
Payment is required 45 days before a school can attend a Law Day Out Court Excursion Program which includes facilitation from a Rule of Law Educator. Payment can be made via EFT as per the details on the invoice or by Paypal/Credit Card.
General information
- 2025 Law Days Out are fully booked. 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.
- Schools in the Sydney metropolitan area are able to seek permission to observe proceedings at a Local Court closer to their school by making direct contact with the court Registrar of the relevant complex. The list of courts and assciated contact details can be found at https://localcourt.nsw.gov.au/cl-2.html
- The courts have requested that schools outside the Sydney Metropolian area wishing to book a court experience should contact their nearest large court complex that houses both District and Local Courts, such as Campbelltown, Penrith, Wollongong or Newcastle. Contact details for these complexes can be found at https://localcourt.nsw.gov.au/cl-2.html
- The Supreme Court is available to schools for faciltated and unfacilitated visits. Bookings are not required for an unfacilitated visit, and a facilitated visits are being run Journey Walks and and can be booked through the Supreme Court Website at https://supremecourt.nsw.gov.au/about-us/visits.html.