Sydney Criminal Lawyers for Every Court in the CBD
The Sydney CBD is home to the busiest concentration of criminal courts in New South Wales. The Downing Centre handles more criminal and traffic matters than any other courthouse in the state. Central Local Court, a short walk along Liverpool Street, takes overflow criminal matters. And the Supreme Court of NSW at Queens Square deals with the most serious charges and bail applications that the lower courts cannot determine.
Our Sydney Criminal Lawyers appear across all three of these court complexes. We handle assault charges, domestic violence matters, drug offences, fraud, sexual offences, traffic matters, and every other type of criminal charge. From a first mention in the Local Court through to a District Court jury trial or a Supreme Court bail application, your case stays with the same legal team.
Sydney's Court Precinct: Three Heritage Buildings in One City Block
The Downing Centre occupies the former Mark Foy's Piazza Store, a landmark department store originally built in 1908 and designed by Arthur Anderson. The building features a sandstone base, white glazed brick facade, pressed metal awnings, and distinctive green-tiled corner towers. It was converted to a courthouse complex and opened in 1991, named after former NSW Attorney-General Reg Downing. The building is listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.
Central Local Court is an even older courthouse, designed by Colonial Architect James Barnet and completed in 1892 under the supervision of NSW Government Architect Walter Liberty Vernon. Built in the Federation Free Classical style with carved sandstone, terraced forecourt and grand entrance staircase, it has been operating continuously as a court for over 130 years. It holds attached holding cells that have been in use since the building first opened.
The Supreme Court occupies the Law Courts Building at Queens Square on Phillip Street. The modern complex was purpose-built as a multi-court facility to replace a network of older Supreme Court buildings scattered across Sydney. The building is shared with branch registries of the Federal Court and the High Court of Australia.
Our Offices Serving Sydney CBD Courts
Our Sydney Criminal Lawyers are based at two offices in Greater Western Sydney. Both offices have direct train connections into the CBD, and we appear at the Downing Centre, Central Local Court, and the Supreme Court on a regular basis.
Parramatta Office
Suite 48, Level 1, 93 George Street
Parramatta NSW 2150
~35 min by train to Museum Station
Norwest Office
4 Columbia Court
Norwest NSW 2153
~50 min to Museum Station
Downing Centre Local Court
The Downing Centre Local Court is the largest Local Court in NSW. It occupies levels 4 and 5 of the Downing Centre building on Liverpool Street. Criminal and traffic matters from across the Sydney CBD, inner city suburbs, and surrounding areas pass through this court daily. Many matters from other Local Courts are also transferred here for hearing.
When you first arrive at the Downing Centre for a Local Court matter, head to level 4. The daily court list is displayed on a noticeboard as you exit the lifts. Court 4.1 operates as the Registrar's Court, where new matters are called for the first time. A registrar deals with adjournments, plea entries, subpoena issues, and timetabling. If you enter a guilty plea at Court 4.1, the registrar will send your matter to a magistrate in another courtroom for sentencing.
Wednesdays at the Downing Centre are set aside as AVO day, when a high volume of domestic violence and personal AVO matters are listed. Our Sydney Criminal Lawyers attend every sitting day of the week at this court.
Central Local Court
Central Local Court is a separate courthouse at 98 Liverpool Street, about a five-minute walk from the Downing Centre. It handles criminal cases only and does not hear civil or AVO-only matters. Some criminal matters that would otherwise go to the Downing Centre are allocated to Central Local Court, so it is important to check the court listed on your Court Attendance Notice.
The building has operated as a courthouse since 1892 and still has its original attached holding cells. It sits within the same court precinct as the Downing Centre. Our Sydney Criminal Lawyers appear at Central Local Court regularly and can confirm which court your matter is listed at before the day.
Downing Centre District Court
The Downing Centre District Court occupies the lower ground level through to level 3 of the same building. It is one of the main District Court venues in NSW and handles serious indictable offences, jury trials, judge-alone trials, sentencing of matters committed from the Local Court, and appeals against Local Court convictions and sentences.
Many matters that start at suburban Local Courts across Sydney end up at the Downing Centre District Court. Charges committed from courts like Parramatta, Blacktown, Hornsby, Liverpool, and Campbelltown are commonly transferred here for trial. Courtroom 3.1 handles the Short Matters List and Callover Court, where matters are managed before trial, and it is one of the busiest courtrooms in the building.
Our Sydney Criminal Lawyers handle the full District Court process, from the committal hearing in the Local Court through to preparation for trial, pre-trial applications, jury selection, and the trial itself. If you received a conviction or sentence at any Local Court in NSW, we can lodge an appeal and represent you at the Downing Centre District Court. You have 28 days from the date of your Local Court sentence to file a District Court appeal.
Supreme Court of NSW
The Supreme Court of NSW is the highest court in New South Wales. In criminal law, it deals with the most serious charges, including murder and treason. The Supreme Court also hears bail applications that have been refused at both the Local Court and the District Court, as well as appeals on questions of law.
The Court sits at the Law Courts Building, 184 Phillip Street, Queens Square. The registry is on level 5 and courtrooms are on levels 7 through 13. Martin Place and St James train stations are the closest.
Our Sydney Criminal Lawyers make Supreme Court bail applications for clients who have been refused bail in the lower courts. This is common in matters involving serious drug supply, sexual assault, armed robbery, and firearms offences where the Local Court and District Court have determined that bail should be refused. We prepare detailed bail applications supported by proposed conditions, accommodation plans, surety offers, and submissions on why the bail concerns can be adequately addressed.
Criminal Offences Our Sydney Criminal Lawyers Defend
Assault Charges
Assault offences are among the most common charges on the Downing Centre list. Our Sydney Criminal Lawyers defend common assault, assault occasioning ABH, assaulting a police officer, affray, choking, and recklessly causing GBH. Charges of wounding with intent proceed to the District Court.
Domestic Violence & AVOs
Domestic violence matters occupy a large share of the Downing Centre calendar, with Wednesdays dedicated to AVO proceedings. Our Sydney Criminal Lawyers represent clients charged with breaching an ADVO and stalking or intimidation. If you have been served with a provisional AVO or charged with a breach of AVO, speak to us before your court date.
Drug Offences
Drug charges at the Sydney CBD courts range from street-level drug possession to large-scale drug supply, cultivation, and ongoing supply. The city's nightlife precincts generate a steady flow of possession and supply matters. Commercial quantity supply charges proceed to the District Court or Supreme Court.
Sexual Offences
We defend charges of sexual touching, aggravated sexual touching, distributing intimate images, threatening to distribute intimate images, and child abuse material charges. Strictly indictable sexual offences like sexual assault and aggravated sexual assault are tried in the District Court.
Property & Fraud
Property offences in the CBD include retail shoplifting from major stores, larceny, break and enter, destroying property, and trespass. Fraud charges include obtaining a financial advantage by deception, demand money with intent to steal, and goods in custody.
Firearms, Weapons & Public Order
Firearm and weapon charges carry serious penalties. Our Sydney Criminal Lawyers defend unlawful firearm possession and knife possession. Public order charges including offensive language, offensive conduct, resisting arrest, and riot are frequently listed at the Downing Centre and Central Local Court.
Traffic Offences at Sydney CBD Courts
Traffic and driving offences are a major part of the Downing Centre's workload. The Sydney CBD generates a high volume of traffic charges from congested city streets, the Harbour Bridge and Tunnel approaches, and arterial roads passing through inner city suburbs. Police conduct regular RBT and mobile drug testing operations across the CBD and surrounding areas. Our Sydney Criminal Lawyers defend:
- Drink driving (low, mid, high range)
- Driving under the influence
- Drug driving
- Driving whilst suspended or disqualified
- Negligent driving
- Dangerous driving
- Speeding
- Failing to stop after an accident
- Police pursuit (Skye's Law)
- Drive furiously
For inner city residents, losing a licence may have less day-to-day impact because of extensive public transport. Our Sydney Criminal Lawyers take this into account when preparing sentencing submissions, focusing on other factors like employment consequences, professional licensing, and the impact of a conviction on your career. If your licence has already been suspended or cancelled, we can assist with licence appeals at the District Court.
Bail Applications at Every Level
Our Sydney Criminal Lawyers make bail applications at the Downing Centre Local Court, the Downing Centre District Court, and the Supreme Court of NSW. The approach at each level is different.
At the Local Court, bail is determined by a magistrate under the Bail Act 2013. We prepare applications backed by accommodation details, employment references, and proposed reporting conditions to address the concerns the prosecution raises.
At the District Court, bail applications typically involve serious indictable offences that have been committed for trial. The application goes before a judge, and the bar is higher. We prepare comprehensive bail applications with supporting affidavits, surety offers, and detailed submissions.
At the Supreme Court, bail applications are brought when the Local Court and District Court have both refused bail, or when the seriousness of the charge means a Supreme Court judge is the appropriate decision-maker. This is common for charges of commercial drug supply, serious sexual assault, armed robbery, and firearms offences. Our Sydney Criminal Lawyers prepare Supreme Court bail applications and appear before the bail judge.
District Court Appeals
If you have been convicted or sentenced at any Local Court in NSW and you are unhappy with the result, you have the right to appeal to the District Court. The Downing Centre District Court hears a large number of these appeals from Local Courts right across the Sydney metropolitan area.
There are two types of appeal. An all grounds appeal is a full rehearing of your case in front of a District Court judge, as though the Local Court hearing never happened. A severity appeal asks the District Court to impose a lighter sentence than the one the Local Court gave you.
The deadline to lodge a District Court appeal is 28 days from the date of the Local Court sentence. If you have missed this deadline, our Sydney Criminal Lawyers can apply for leave to appeal out of time, though this requires showing a valid reason for the delay.
Mental Health Applications (Section 14) at Sydney CBD Courts
A Section 14 mental health application under the Mental Health and Cognitive Impairment Forensic Provisions Act 2020 allows the court to divert your matter out of the criminal justice system and into treatment. This is available where a diagnosed mental health condition or cognitive impairment was connected to the offending behaviour.
The Downing Centre has a Court Liaison Service staffed by mental health professionals who can assess defendants and provide reports to the court. Our Sydney Criminal Lawyers coordinate with treating psychiatrists, psychologists, and the Court Liaison Service to prepare Section 14 applications. We also arrange treatment plans and care coordination to present to the magistrate as part of the diversion proposal.
Your Options When You Hire Sydney Criminal Lawyers
The right approach depends on the evidence and what is personally at stake. When you retain our Sydney Criminal Lawyers, we obtain the police brief, review the evidence, and advise on the strongest path forward:
Why Choose Our Sydney Criminal Lawyers
Our Sydney Criminal Lawyers appear at the Downing Centre Local Court, the Downing Centre District Court, Central Local Court, and the Supreme Court of NSW. You get a single team that knows how each of these courts operates.
Whether your matter stays in the Local Court, gets committed to the District Court for trial, or requires a Supreme Court bail application, the same lawyers prepare and run your case. There is no handoff and no starting over.
We are a specialist criminal defence firm. Every case we take is a criminal or traffic matter. That focus means you get a lawyer with deep knowledge of this area of law, not a generalist handling criminal work on the side.
The Downing Centre is the busiest court in NSW. It moves fast and can be overwhelming for people unfamiliar with the system. Our Sydney Criminal Lawyers know the court's layout, procedures, and daily rhythms, which means your matter is prepared and managed properly from the moment you walk in.
Not every firm handles Supreme Court work. When bail has been refused at the Local Court and the District Court, our Sydney Criminal Lawyers prepare and present applications before a Supreme Court bail judge.
We run District Court appeals against conviction and severity, and represent clients in jury trials and judge-alone trials at the Downing Centre District Court.
We take calls 24/7, including weekends and public holidays. If you have been arrested and refused bail, call us immediately for urgent legal advice and representation at whichever court your matter is listed.
We quote a fixed fee upfront so there are no surprises. You will know exactly what your representation costs before you commit, whether it is a guilty plea at the Local Court or a District Court trial.
What to Expect at the Downing Centre
If you have not been to court before, the Downing Centre can feel overwhelming. Here is what to expect on the day:
The Downing Centre has security screening at the ground floor entrance. Expect queues in the morning. Allow time to pass through security and find your courtroom.
For Local Court, the noticeboard is on level 4 as you exit the lifts. For District Court, it is on the ground floor past security. You can also check in advance on the NSW Online Registry.
No singlets, thongs, or hats inside the courtroom. The magistrate or judge takes notice of your presentation.
We will go over the strategy, explain what will happen in court, and answer any last questions. If there are discussions to have with the prosecutor or the DPP, we handle that before the matter goes before the bench.
In most cases, your Sydney Criminal Lawyers will address the magistrate or judge for you. You may need to confirm your plea and acknowledge any orders, but the lawyer does the talking.
Museum Station is the closest train station, with a subway link to the Downing Centre from Castlereagh Street. Town Hall and Central stations are also within walking distance. If driving, paid parking is available at World Square, Hyde Park, and surrounding streets. There is no court car park.
Sydney Criminal Lawyers for the Inner City and Beyond
The Downing Centre and Central Local Court serve the Sydney CBD and surrounding inner city suburbs. Matters from across the wider metropolitan area are also regularly transferred to the Downing Centre, especially for District Court trials and appeals. We represent clients who live or were charged anywhere in the inner city, inner west, eastern suburbs, and wider Sydney region, as well as matters committed to the Downing Centre District Court from suburban Local Courts.
Barsha Defence Lawyers also appear at Local Courts right across Greater Sydney and regional NSW. If your matter is listed at a different court, check our Courts We Attend page or call us to confirm we can be there.
Areas Our Sydney Criminal Lawyers Serve
Frequently Asked Questions
Both courts operate inside the same building at 143-147 Liverpool Street, Sydney. The Local Court is on levels 4 and 5, while the District Court sits on the lower ground level through to level 3. The Local Court handles summary offences, traffic matters, bail applications, AVOs, and committal hearings. The District Court handles serious indictable offences, jury trials, judge-alone trials, sentencing of committed matters, and appeals from the Local Court.
Central Local Court is a separate heritage courthouse at 98 Liverpool Street, a short walk from the Downing Centre. It handles criminal cases only and does not hear civil or AVO-only matters. Some matters listed in the Sydney CBD are allocated to Central Local Court rather than the Downing Centre. Check your Court Attendance Notice to confirm which court you need to attend. Our Sydney Criminal Lawyers appear at both courts.
The Supreme Court of NSW at Queens Square handles the most serious criminal matters, including murder and manslaughter. It also hears bail applications where bail has been refused at the Local Court or District Court, and appeals on questions of law. Our Sydney Criminal Lawyers make Supreme Court bail applications for clients who have been refused bail in the lower courts.
Our Sydney Criminal Lawyers offer a free initial consultation. After reviewing your matter, we provide a fixed fee quote so you know the total cost before committing. Fees vary depending on whether the matter involves a guilty plea, defended hearing, bail application, District Court trial, or Supreme Court bail application.
Yes. If you received a conviction or sentence at any Local Court in NSW, you can appeal to the District Court. Appeals from Local Courts across the Sydney metropolitan area are commonly heard at the Downing Centre District Court. You have 28 days from the date of the Local Court sentence to lodge an appeal. Our Sydney Criminal Lawyers handle District Court appeals regularly.
Our Parramatta office at Suite 48, Level 1, 93 George Street is about 35 minutes from the Downing Centre by train on the T1 Western Line to Museum Station. Our Norwest office at 4 Columbia Court is about 50 minutes away. We appear at the Sydney CBD courts regularly and can arrange a phone, video, or in-person conference before your court date.
Both courts are on Liverpool Street in the Sydney CBD. Museum Station on the City Circle line is the closest station to the Downing Centre, with a subway link from the Castlereagh Street entrance. Central Local Court at 98 Liverpool Street is also within walking distance of Museum Station and Town Hall Station. Paid parking is available at World Square, Hyde Park, and surrounding streets. There is no dedicated court parking.