How to behave in court

Courts operate with some formalities. You will see that many people bow when they enter and leave the courtroom. This is to show respect to the court. Bowing is not compulsory. You can choose to bow or not to bow. 

In court you should:

• turn off your mobile phone
  
• not eat or drink
• sit quietly
• not interrupt proceedings
• not take photographs
• not make audio recordings of proceedings
• not wear a hat or sunglasses

You may want to SMS or tweet, but if a judicial officer thinks you are behaving inappropriately or doing something illegal such as recording the case or taking photos, you could be asked to leave the court. It is an offence to record or photograph proceedings without permission of the court.

When your case is called and the judicial officer is speaking to you, call them 'your honour' when you address them and stay seated when you speak as this is the usual practice in the Children’s Court.