Court conduct and etiquette

People at court should show respect and courtesy at all times.

These are some of the ways you can show respect and courtesy when you are in an online hearing or in a courtroom:

• Be on time to the hearing
• Turn off mobile phones
• Do not eat or drink
• Do not wear a hat
• Wait until the magistrate or judge asks you to speak
• Stand up if the magistrate or judge asks you to speak
• Address the magistrate or judge as ‘Your Honour’.
• Bow when the magistrate or judge enters or leaves the courtroom
• Remain standing until the magistrate or judge is seated
• Stand when the magistrate or judge leaves the court
• While the court is in session, bow to the magistrate as you enter or leave the courtroom
• Do not approach the magistrate or judge
• Ask for the magistrate’s or judge’s permission before handing over documents to the bench clerk in court