Image: Downing Court via NSW Courts
Sydney’s busiest court complex, Downing Centre Local & District Court, has been forced to shut down for at least four weeks after a burst water main in the CBD caused extensive damage to the infrastructure of the building.
The Downing Centre is a major heritage-listed building and hears thousands of cases in the Local and District Court annually.
On Tuesday, the burst water main on Castlereagh Street and the shutdown of electricity to the building left the Downing Centre with no access to power or water.
The Chief Magistrate of NSW, Judge Michael Allen has issued a statement regarding the handling of cases in the Local Court following the power outage.
Currently, the court remains without power and essential utilities.
While efforts to restore services are ongoing, there is no confirmed timeline for when regular sittings will resume at the court complex.
In the meantime, Downing Centre Local Court bail variation applications will be scheduled for a date after 21 July 2025, unless deemed urgent.
An “urgent” bail variation application is one in which failing to amend the bail before 21 July 2025 would lead to an unavoidable breach of bail by the defendant, and the circumstances are beyond their control.
Efforts are being made to transfer custody hearings, currently scheduled at Downing Centre Local Court, to alternative courtrooms within the metropolitan area. Further details will be provided to court users as they become available.
Legal practitioners and prosecutors have also been advised to inform their clients and witnesses that some matters may not proceed as initially planned.
Downing Centre to Close For Minimum Four Weeks
The Law Society of NSW informed its members via email that the Chief Judge of the District Court and the Chief Magistrate of the Local Court had advised that the Downing Centre “will likely remain closed for at least the next few weeks until utilities are repaired and restored,” as reported by The Sydney Morning Herald.
The chief judge further advises that it is inevitable that some part-heard trials will have to be aborted,” the society said.
“The District Court’s present focus is to complete trials that are part-heard, particularly those where the proceedings have been ongoing where the accused is in custody.”
The Department of Communities and Justice also issued a statement on the Downing Centre flooding incident, noting that they would issue further updates over the coming weeks while work is carried out to repair the damaged systems and to ensure the building is safe and fully operational prior to its reopening.
Judicial officers and court staff are making every effort to ensure matters are able to proceed wherever possible.
Local Court Cases
People with matters scheduled in the Downing Centre Local Court are advised to check the Online Court or the Local Court website.
District Court Cases
People with matters scheduled in the Sydney District Court are advised to check the Online Court or District Court listings. Jurors currently empanelled in criminal trials in the Downing Centre will be contacted by the NSW Sheriff’s Office with further updates.
Drug Court Cases
For all jurisdictions and court locations individuals can contact the Court Service Centre on 1300 679 272 for information or advice (8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday).
Further updates will be provided as they become available.
You May Also Like
