About the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is the highest court in NSW. It has unlimited civil jurisdiction and hears the most serious criminal matters.
The Court has both appellate and trial jurisdictions. The appellate courts are the:
The trial work of the criminal and civil jurisdictions is divided between two Divisions:
The Supreme Court's role in the NSW courts system
The Supreme Court is the superior court of record in the State of New South Wales, and as such, has an inherent jurisdiction in addition to its specific statutory jurisdiction.
The Court has supervisory jurisdiction over other NSW courts and tribunals, and generally exercises this jurisdiction through its appellate courts.
The diagram below is a simplified representation of the civil appeal and judicial review processes in NSW. Actual appeal rights are determined by the relevant legislation.
The diagram below is a simplified representation of the criminal appeal process in NSW. Actual appeal rights are determined by the relevant legislation.
* The Court of Criminal Appeal (CCA) may hear some appeals in matters relating to s 32A of the
Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000.
** Some appeals are made to the District Court of NSW.
# Some appeals from committal proceedings may be made to the CCA.
Where is the court's work carried out?
Proceedings in the Court of Appeal, the Court of Criminal Appeal, the Common Law Division and the Equity Division are held in any one of the following locations:
Law Courts Building, Queens Square, Sydney
St James Road Court, St James Road, Sydney
King Street Courthouse, Corner King and Elizabeth Streets, Sydney
Darlinghurst Courthouse, Taylor Square, Sydney
Wentworth Chambers, 180 Phillip Street, Sydney
Hospital Road Court Complex, Hospital Road, Sydney
Criminal and civil trials may be conducted at regional venues throughout NSW, as and when the need arises.