Newcastle's main courthouse is at 343 Hunter Street, where the Local Court and the District Court sit side by side. The family court has a Newcastle registry on Bolton Street, and Legal Aid NSW has two offices in the city, one for criminal law and one for civil and family law.
Our Newcastle lists cover criminal and family law, with where each firm is based and what it handles. Some firms also have offices in Maitland, on the Central Coast or in Sydney, so ask which lawyer will run your file and where you'll meet.
Lawyers in Newcastle by area of law
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How legal matters work in Newcastle
Criminal charges start in the Local Court. Besides Newcastle, the Hunter has Local Courts at Maitland, Raymond Terrace, Belmont, Toronto and Cessnock, and your court attendance notice tells you which one to go to. Serious charges go to the District Court in the same Hunter Street courthouse, or the Supreme Court for the most serious. Young people's cases go to the Children's Court at Broadmeadow.
The Hunter also has its own Drug Court, with its registry at Toronto Court House. It takes adults with a drug dependency who are likely to go to jail, plead guilty and live in a listed area, which includes the City of Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Cessnock and Port Stephens. MERIT, a Local Court program for adults with a drug or alcohol problem, runs at Newcastle, Maitland, Raymond Terrace, Toronto and Cessnock.
Divorce, parenting and property cases go to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, in the Commonwealth Law Courts Building at 61 Bolton Street. Legal Aid NSW duty solicitors in the building give free family law advice to people without a lawyer, and Hunter Community Legal Centre also gives free family law help at the court. Check with the centre whether to book an appointment or walk in on your court date. Apprehended violence orders are a NSW matter and are made by the Local Court.
Courts in Newcastle
- Newcastle Local Court
- Most criminal and traffic matters start here, along with apprehended violence orders. It shares the courthouse at 343 Hunter Street with the District Court. Other Hunter Local Courts sit at Maitland, Raymond Terrace, Belmont, Toronto and Cessnock.
- District Court of NSW
- Serious criminal charges, heard in the same Hunter Street courthouse. The most serious charges go to the Supreme Court.
- Broadmeadow Children's Court
- Charges against young people, at 19 to 23 Lambton Road, Broadmeadow.
- Hunter Drug Court
- For adults with a drug dependency who live in a listed Hunter area, plead guilty and are likely to go to jail. Its registry is at Toronto Court House.
- Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
- Separation, parenting and property matters, with a Newcastle registry at 61 Bolton Street. Divorce applications are filed online.
Free and low cost legal help
- Legal Aid NSW gives free legal information to anyone, and advice or representation to people who qualify.
- Legal Aid NSW, Newcastle: The criminal law office is at Level 3, 400 Hunter Street, and the civil and family law office at Level 2, 51 to 55 Bolton Street. LawAccess NSW on 1300 888 529 can tell you whether you're likely to qualify.
- Hunter Community Legal Centre: Free family law help at the Newcastle family court for people who don't have a lawyer and can't get legal aid. Check with the centre whether to book an appointment or walk in on your court date.
- Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT): Criminal law help for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Police contact its custody notification service whenever an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person is detained.
- Interrelate Family Relationship Centre: Family dispute resolution at 495 Hunter Street. You generally need a certificate from family dispute resolution before you apply for parenting orders.
- Duty lawyers at the Newcastle Local Court can help on the day if you're due in court and don't have a lawyer yet.
- Community legal centres give free advice on everyday problems like debts, tenancy, fines and employment.
- Private firms often offer a free or fixed price first appointment. Ask when you call.
- Check a lawyer's standing with the Law Society of NSW, the professional body for lawyers in New South Wales.
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Finding a lawyer in Newcastle: common questions
How do I choose a lawyer in Newcastle?
Start with the area of law your problem falls under, then shortlist two or three firms that do that work regularly. If your matter is going to court, ask how often they appear in that court. Ask what the first appointment costs and how fees work after that, and go with the lawyer who explains things clearly rather than the one with the biggest ad.
Can I get free legal advice in Newcastle?
Often, yes. Legal Aid NSW gives free legal information to anyone and advice or representation to people who qualify. Community legal centres also give free advice, and duty lawyers at the Newcastle Local Court can help if you're due in court that day.
How do I check a lawyer can practise in New South Wales?
Every practising lawyer needs a current practising certificate. Ask the firm for the lawyer's full name and check it with the Law Society of NSW or the local regulator. A good firm won't mind you asking.
Is there a family court in Newcastle?
Yes. The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia has a registry in the Commonwealth Law Courts Building at 61 Bolton Street. Legal Aid NSW duty solicitors in the building give free family law advice to people without a lawyer, and divorce applications are filed online through the Commonwealth Courts Portal.
Can I get into the Drug Court from Newcastle?
Possibly. The Hunter Drug Court's registry is at Toronto Court House. It's for adults with a drug dependency who are likely to go to jail, plead guilty and live in a listed area, which includes the City of Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Cessnock and Port Stephens. Charges involving violence or sexual assault, and serious drug charges that can't be dealt with in the Local Court, are excluded.
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