Guidelines for attending an online hearing

If you do not follow these guidelines, you may be removed from the online hearing and/or required to attend court in person at short notice. 

These guidelines apply to everyone unless the Court has already approved a different arrangement.  

Your camera must be on unless you are granted permission. 

NOTE: If you are the complainant/victim in a criminal proceeding and are worried about your safety and would prefer to have your camera off, you must advise the clerk using the chat function as soon as you join the link. Please note, legislation prohibits a child’s attendance in certain family violence related proceedings. 

Online hearings via WebEx 

You are responsible for making sure that: 

• you have the correct link and necessary audio and visual technology to participate; 

• you can log in from a private location; 

• you can log in at your allocated time; 

• you remain seated and the judicial officer can see you with your camera on and microphone off until the hearing is called; and  

• you enter your correct first and surname in the WebEx name field.  

Before an online hearing  

There are several things you can do to prepare for an online hearing. 

• Test your technology and internet connection before the hearing to check there are no issues with connectivity, vision and audio. 

• Make sure your device is charged. 

• Make sure you can be heard clearly through your speaker or microphone. Where possible, wear a headset. 

• Turn your phone on silent. 

• Make sure you are in a private room with the door closed (not in a car or public place). If you are at home, make sure there is no background noise or distractions. 

• You can blur your background in the Webex program. 

• To blur your background: In self-view window, select Video options, select Change Virtual Background, select Blur. 

• Court is a formal environment where you are required to dress neatly. When attending an online hearing, you should dress like you are going to court in person. 

During an online hearing 

Even though you are not in a courtroom, an online hearing is an extension of the courtroom, and the same guidelines and standards apply.  

• When WebEx starts, your microphone will be off, and your camera must be on.  

• You must  follow the directions given by the presiding  judicial officer  or bench clerk, including turning your camera on or off when asked. If you do not comply, you may be removed from the hearing and/or required to attend court in-person at short notice. 

• Say your name when asked by the judicial officer. If you are a journalist, you will need to add your organisation name. 

• Stay muted unless asked to speak. The clerk may mute your microphone, and you should not unmute yourself unless asked to. 

• Do not eat, drink, smoke or vape during the hearing.  

• Do not share your screen unless the judicial officer asks you to.  

• Do not interrupt or cause disruptions. Treat the online hearing with the same respect as an in-person courtroom.  

• Stay in one place during the hearing. If you were in court, you would need permission to move around and this also applies in an online hearing.  

• If you need a short break (for example, to use the bathroom), let the clerk know using the chat. You must leave the Webex link and rejoin when you return.  

• Be patient if your matter hasn’t started yet.  

Warning: It is a criminal offence under Section 4A and 4B of the Courts Security Act 1980 for anyone to take photographs, record or transmit any portion of a proceeding including taking screen shots on either the device you have connected from or another device. All hearings are recorded according to the Magistrates' Court Act 1989. The standard application process to obtain recordings applies.