Inside the Supreme and District Courtroom

People in the courtroom

The judge

The judge controls the courtroom and ensures evidence is relevant. If the defendant pleads guilty or the jury finds the defendant guilty, the judge will decide the sentence. The judge is addressed as ‘Your Honour’ and usually wears a wig and a robe.

The judge’s associate

The judge's associate wears a plain black robe and no wig and sits below the judge. They help the judge by reading out the charges, taking the defendant’s plea and asking the jury for its verdict.

Crown prosecutor

A Crown prosecutor is a barrister who works in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. They present the case against the defendant.

Defence lawyers

The defendant is usually represented by a barrister and a solicitor. The barrister speaks on behalf of the defendant. The solicitor gives instructions to the barrister on behalf of the defendant. The barrister will wear robes and a wig, but the solicitor usually does not.

The jury

The jury is present if the defendant pleads not guilty. The jury is made up of 12 people selected at random from the community. They decide if the defendant is guilty or not guilty. The jury remains in court unless the judge is discussing a point of law with the lawyers.

The bailiff

The bailiff will sit or stand near the jury. They help everything run smoothly by calling defendants when the judge is ready, announcing the beginning and end of sessions, looking after the jury and calling witnesses to give evidence and administering the oath or affirmation.

Court reporters

Occasionally court reporters record what is said during the trial on tape or on a shorthand machine. Often, court proceedings are recorded remotely.

Defendant

The person who is accused of committing the offence. They sit in the dock near a corrective services officer who is present at all times.

Witnesses

People whom the prosecution or defence call to give evidence. Both the prosecutor and the defence lawyer will ask the witness questions.

The public

The public and media are able to sit in the public gallery to watch events unless the judge has ordered that the court should be closed.