Update on Downing Centre flooding incident

Flooding at the Downing Centre on Tuesday 17 June caused extensive damage to the infrastructure of the building, including electricity, IT systems and other equipment. As a result, the Downing Centre will be closed for at least four weeks.

Assessment of the damage is ongoing, however it is clear that extensive repairs will be required which will take a lengthy period of time.

The Department of Communities and Justice will issue further updates over the coming weeks as 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

Normal rostered sittings of the Local Court are suspended on and from Wednesday 25 June 2025 and will recommence on Monday 7 July 2025, for the Annual Magistrates’ Conference and mid-year recess. Fresh custody matters, including bail applications and urgent AVO applications, will be heard at Parramatta Local Court.

For upcoming matters listed at Downing Centre on or after Monday 7 July 2025, arrangements are currently being made to source courtrooms elsewhere within the metropolitan area and information in this regard will be provided as soon as it becomes available.

For enquires relating to criminal matters listed at Downing Centre, please email the Downing Centre Local Court (dclc@justice.nsw.gov.au). If further information is required in civil matters please contact the Civil Registry at John Maddison Tower (sydneycivilregistry@justice.nsw.gov.au) for advice on the location or new date allocated for your matter.

District Court

People with matters scheduled in the Sydney District Court are advised to check the Online Court at https://onlineregistry.lawlink.nsw.gov.au.

Criminal Trials

The District Court’s current focus is to complete trials that are part-heard, particularly those where the proceedings have been ongoing where the accused is in custody.

Associates are contacting parties regarding these arrangements.

Jurors currently empanelled in criminal trials in the Downing Centre will be contacted by the NSW Sheriff’s Office with further updates. If you have been advised to report to the Downing Centre for a jury panel, please log on to the juror portal for further updates (https://www.juror.nsw.gov.au/home).

Criminal list matters

All District Court list matters (usually listed in court room 3.1) will be dealt with at John Maddison Tower (JMT), 86-90 Goulburn St, Sydney in Court 21A. Other matters listed in the District Court will also be held in John Maddison Tower, please check the online court or noticeboards on Level 1, JMT for further information. If you have any enquires, please contact (ag-sdc-crime@dcj.nsw.gov.au) or check the Online Court website (https://onlineregistry.lawlink.nsw.gov.au).

Civil matters

If further information is required in District Court civil matters email the Civil Registry (sydneycivilregistry@justice.nsw.gov.au) for information on the location, or new date allocated, for your matter.

Hearings and other listings in the Civil Jurisdiction will continue to be listed in the John Maddison Tower unless the parties are notified of an alternative location.

Drug Court

People with matters scheduled in the Drug Court are advised to contact the registry by email at DrugCourtSydney@justice.nsw.gov.au or by phone on + 61 (02) 8688 4525 or contact your Community Corrections Officer.

For all jurisdictions and court locations you may wish to 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.