Security and Conditions of Entry

Members of the public are welcome to enter the Supreme Court building to view the Court’s artworks and attend court proceedings that are open to the public.

To ensure the safety and security of all court users, every person entering or remaining on court premises must comply with the Court Security Act 1998 (NT), the conditions of entry outlined belowand any lawful directions given by a Court Security Officer.

Court Security Officers are appointed under the Court Security Act 1998 and are authorised to exercise a range of powers to maintain the safety, security and good order of the Court. These powers include requesting identification, conducting searches, seizing prohibited items and directing individuals to leave court premises where necessary.

In the Supreme Court, Court Security Officers are also appointed as Deputy Sheriffs under the Sheriff’s Act 1962 (NT). In this capacity, they are responsible for the custody, transfer and supervision of persons in the custody of the Court or the Sheriff.

If you have any concerns about your safety or security while on court premises, please speak with a Court Security Officer.

For the purposes of the Court Security Act 1992 (NT), “court premises” include the court building and any forecourt, courtyard, yard, car park, entry, exit or other area used in connection with the Court.

Security screening

All persons entering the Court are required to undergo security screening. This may include:

  • electronic screening of your person using a walk-through metal detector;
  • screening with a hand-held metal detector where required, such as when the walk-through metal detector detects the presence of metal;
  • examination of bags, parcels and personal belongings using X-ray equipment; and
  • a same-sex pat/ordinary search if considered necessary by security personnel.

Similar to airport security, bags and personal items, including wallets, keys and mobile phones, must be placed on a conveyor belt for X-ray screening.

Security screening is conducted to identify prohibited items to maintain a safe environment for all court users.

It is an offence to bring prohibited items onto Court premises, and any such items will be seized.

If you have a medical concern or require assistance with the screening process, please speak to a Court Security Officer.

Conditions of entry

  • Identification: You may be asked to provide your name, address and reason for attending the Court, and to produce identification or other supporting evidence.
  • Security Screening: All persons entering the Court must successfully undergo security screening, including electronic screening of their person and belongings, and a same-sex pat search if considered necessary by security personnel.
  • Motorcycle Helmets: Motorcycle helmets must be removed before entering the Court building.
  • Photography and Recording: Photography, audio recording, filming, live-streaming or any other form of recording or transmission, including meta glasses, is prohibited unless expressly authorised by the Court. There are some allowances for accredited journalists covering a particular matter as part of their work to make audio recordings.
  • Mobile phones and Electronic Devices: Mobile phones and electronic devices, including Meta glasses or other smart glasses, must be switched off, or set to silent mode while in courtrooms. Their use in courtrooms is prohibited unless authorised by the presiding judicial officer. Accredited journalists may use phones (on silent mode) for sending correspondence related to their work unless instructed otherwise.
  • Directions of Court Security Officers: You must comply with any lawful direction given by a Court Security Officer under the Court Security Act 1998 (NT). Failure to do so may result in your removal from court premises.
  • Smoke-free premises: Smoking and vaping are not permitted anywhere on court premises, including courtrooms, buildings, balconies and carparks.
  • CCTV surveillance: CCTV operates throughout court premises for security and safety purposes. By entering court premises, you acknowledge that you may be recorded.
  • Animals: Animals are not permitted on court premises, except for assistance animals recognised under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth).
  • Prohibited items: It is an offence to bring prohibited items onto court premises. Any prohibited item may be seized, including firearms, ammunition, knives, edged weapons, batons, martial arts weapons, explosive devices and any object that may be used to threaten, intimidate or harm another person.
  • Restricted items: Placards, banners, posters and other items that are offensive, insulting, threatening, indecent or unreasonably disruptive are not permitted on court premises and must be removed or surrendered to a Court Security Officer.

Failure to comply

Any person who fails to comply with the Court Security Act 1998 or a lawful direction given by a Court Security Officer may be:

  • refused entry to court premises;
  • directed to leave court premises;
  • removed from court premises; or
  • arrested.

There are penalties for resisting, hindering or obstructing a Court Security Officer, including imprisonment for up to two years.

Public access to proceedings

The Supreme Court is generally open to the public. However, a Judge may order that access to a courtroom or court premises be restricted, or require members of the public to leave where the Judge considers it necessary for the purposes of securing order and safety.