Safety and Security whilst at the ACT Law Courts Building

Safety and Security at ACT Courts

Part 5 'Security' of the Courts Procedures Act 2004 outlines the powers of judicial officers, sheriff’s officers, authorised security officers (contracted security) and police officers at the ACT Law Courts Building and other premises used by the Supreme Court or Magistrates Court.

Security Screening

Security screening is undertaken at main entrance(s) of the ACT Law Courts Building by contracted security and a ‘screening policy and conditions of entry policy’ is available on the website of each court.

Conditions of Entry

A factsheet is also available explaining the conditions of entry to the ACT Law Courts Building which includes:

  • All persons entering via a public entrance are subject to security screening.
  • Persons may be required to state their name and state the purpose of their visit.
  • All visitors must follow the reasonable directions given by Authorised Officers, Security or Sheriff’s Officers.  Failure to comply with reasonable directions may result in a person being asked to leave the premises, a fine or arrest.
  • No animals are allowed on the premises except for companion animals authorised under the Domestic Animals Act 2000 (ACT).
  • No photography, video or sound recording is permitted by visitors within the Courts precinct without permission.
  • Briefcases, bags, boxes and parcels must not be left unattended at any time.
  • Surveillance cameras are in constant use throughout the buildings.
  • Smoking, alcohol, illegal drugs and the wearing of helmets is not permitted.
  • Potentially dangerous items are not permitted to be brought into a building, including glass bottles or containers.

CCTV and Duress Alarms at the ACT Law Courts Building

CCTV is in constant use throughout the Courts precinct and monitored by the Courts security control room.  Further information on CCTV can be found here. Duress Alarms are located throughout the courts precinct, and in courtrooms.

Safety whilst at the ACT Law Courts Building

Special arrangements can be made for persons who fear for their safety whilst at the ACT Law Courts Building.

Please speak with your support provider or staff at the Courts’ Registry about what options are available to maintain your safety whilst in the ACT Law Courts Building.  The ACT Sheriff’s Office can put a range of safety measures in please and can be contacted via email sheriffs@courts.act.gov.au or (02) 6207 1785.

Pre-hearing tours

Clients who are concerned about their safety are welcome to arrange a tour of the ACT Law Courts Building before their hearing date.  Please telephone our ACT Sheriff’s Office at sheriffs@courts.act.gov.au or (02) 6207 1785 to arrange a pre-court tour.

Protests at the ACT Law Courts Building

People entering and leaving the ACT Law Courts Building, or any other building being used by an ACT Court, are entitled to unhindered access to those buildings and a degree of privacy when using facilities and services within them.

Non-disruptive protests can be conducted on the dark paved area outside of the main court entrance providing it does not obstruct access into any court entry point. Protests must not be conducted in the general vicinity of the Childrens Court entrance under any circumstances.

Any protest that is likely to disrupt any court proceeding due to the use of a megaphone, speakers or any other projection of sound or voice cannot be conducted on court premises which includes the paved area between the external bollards and the main court entrance.

Protestors are not permitted to use any device capable of capturing photographs or video image while on court premises which includes the paved area between the bollards and the entrance doors.

Protestors at the ACT Law Courts Building must follow the direction of Court Sheriff’s Officers and Security Officers in order to ensure the safety, security and privacy of all persons attending court.

Section 154 (2) of the Crimes Act 1900 makes it an offence, punishable by a penalty of 2.5 penalty units or 3 months’ imprisonment or both, to obstruct entry to government premises, behave in an offensive or disorderly manner while on them, or fail to leave when directed to do so.

Protest organisers should make contact with the Sheriff’s Office in advance of any protests via sheriffs@courts.act.gov.au and comply with all general directions given by Sheriff’s Officers and authorized Security Officers.