There are many different courts in NSW. This is the website of the Local Court of NSW.

This page provides information on:

• History of the Local Court of NSW
• Jurisdictions and Divisions of the Local Court

2 April 1787		The First Charter of Justice authorised the governor, lieutenant governor and judge advocate with the power to convene a criminal court. The governor held the power to appoint and dismiss magistrates. A number of civil and military officers were appointed as justices of the peace or magistrates. They inherited similar powers to English justices of the peace to determine minor criminal charges and convict people in discipline cases. The Charter also created a court of civil jurisdiction to hear and decide cases where pleas related to real and personal property, debts, contracts, grants of probate and to administer intestate estates. Proceedings were recorded and given to the governor for inspection.
1810		D'Arcy Wentworth became the first paid magistrate. Until this time, the role of a magistrate was honorary and magistrates had to combine their magistrate duties with other positions.		Windsor Courthouse
1821		The oldest existing local court in New South Wales was built in Windsor. Over 300 courthouses have been built in New South Wales since settlement.
1830		Payment of magistrates became common practice.
24 August 1832		Offenders Punishment and Justices Summary Jurisdiction Act (Act 3 William IV C. 3) was assented to. It defined the powers and authorities of the Courts of Petty Sessions and regulated the summary jurisdiction of the justices of the peace. Under the Act, two or more justices sitting together could convict people on charges of theft, drunkenness, disobedience of orders, neglect of or running away from work, abusive language to his or her master or other disorderly or dishonest conduct. Other duties formerly performed by the bench of magistrates were performed by the justices in Petty Sessions. The Act also allowed the appointment of a clerk at each location where Petty Sessions was held.
3 October 1832		The Courts of Petty Sessions was formally established in New South Wales by proclamation in the Government Gazette. The name "Court of Petty Sessions" was used commonly until this time without any statutory basis. Petty Sessions were held in the following locations:
		Bathurst Bong Bong or Berrima Campbelltown Darlington Goulburn Plains Inverary Invermein	Liverpool Maitland Newcastle Parramatta Paterson’s Plains Penrith Port Macquarie	Port Stephens Stonequarry Creek Sydney Windsor Wollongong
1881		"Skilled and trained" stipendiary magistrates were created under the Metropolitan Magistrates Act for the Sydney district and they had exclusive jurisdiction to deal with criminal summary offences in Sydney. Government paid magistrates had been increasingly seen to be more impartial in deciding cases and had greater knowledge and experience in legal matters. Stipendary magistrates were not required to be qualified lawyers but were selected based on an assessment of their training and efficiency as a clerk of Petty Sessions.
1902		Magistrates and Courts of Petty Session continued to be appointed under the Justices Act (NSW).
1 July 1955		Newly appointed magistrates were required to have legal qualifications.
1985		Local Courts Act abolished Courts of Petty Sessions by changing its name to the Local Court.
1986		Magistrates become independent judicial officers under the Judicial Officers Act.
2003		The retirement age of magistrates was extended to 72 years old, the same as judges of superior courts.
2004		The form of address for magistrates in court changed from “Your Worship” to “Your Honour” in line with judges of superior courts.
6 July 2009		Local Court Act 2007 commenced. The new Act provides for one Local Court of NSW sitting at locations as directed by the Chief Magistrate. >>>>>
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• recovery of money owing under Industrial Instruments, for example, Awards, Enterprise Agreements and Statutory Entitlements;
• prosecutions for breach of industrial instruments;
• appeals from various administrative decisions; and
• prosecutions for statutory breaches.

• determination of disputes between miners and landholders;
• assessment of compensation payable to a landholder as a result of prospecting or mining activities; and
• public enquiries as directed by the Minister for Primary Industries.