Elec​tronic evidence playback

Most courtrooms used by the Supreme Court are equipped with large screens for evidence display purposes.

If the court session is conducted entirely using the Virtual Courtroom, parties wishing to display electronic evidence can use the 'Share Content' feaure in the Virtual Courtroom.

If parties appearing 'In person' (or in a 'Live' hearing), they should notify chambers in advance if they wish to present electronic evidence in the courtroom; this is to provide chambers with advance notice to ensure an appropriate courtroom allocation.

Parties intending to display electronic evidence in a 'Live' courtroom setting, they must supply their own laptop or other playback device (e.g. iPad, iPhone) to use in conjunction with the courtroom's audio visual (AV) system. The Court will facilitate the connection of that equipment (by cable) to the AV display screens in the courtroom.

Parties should ensure that any Memory Sticks/DVDs to be used for playback are fully tested beforehand on their laptop/playback devices to ensure that any additional software is sourced in advance. Parties should also use this opportunity to familiarise themselves with playback settings and controls to ensure that the playback exercise in the court setting is conducted efficiently.

Parties are reminded that it is their responsibility to ensure that there is someone present on the day of the sitting to operate the playback equipment.

Once the prior testing is completed, parties can seek access to the courtroom prior to the sitting date to check all the connections. 

Electronic or E-Hearings

The Court only provides the basic technology infrastructure for the e-Court , but does not provide the actual services (see below) or technical support which parties must organise through third party providers.

Potential features of an e-Hearing include real-time transcript, electronic court book (for the exchanges of discovery lists and full internet access. documents in court),

• Parties are to refer to  Practice Note SC Gen 7 - Use of technology.
• Parties are to endeavour to reach agreement with other parties early in the proceedings on the protocol to be used and the scope of that protocol. 
• Parties are to seek either consent orders or directions from the Court, if agreement is not reached, concerning the terms of the protocol. 
• Parties must give the Court as much notice as possible if they intend to electronically exchange discovery lists and documents.
• Parties must decide on the protocol to be used and the scope of the protocol (See paragraph 16 in Practice Note SC Gen 7 to see what matters should be included in the protocol).
• Parties and/or their agents are to provide hardware, software, necessary network connectivity  and training to the presiding judge/judges and their staff as required.

Jury deliberation

• It is imperative that Prosecutors and lawyers test any evidence intended to be presented in a case, especially video and CCTV files prior to the scheduled court date, to ensure evidence is in a compatible format and able to be presented in both the courtroom and the jury deliberation room.
  
• For trials conducted at King Street Courts and Darlinghurst Courts, you are required to also bring your own device capable of reading and displaying the files you are intending to present in the courtroom.
  
• Please note that any documents (e.g. Word, Excel and PowerPoint) will need to be converted to PDF for presentation in Court.
  

• Practice Note SC Gen 7 - Technology in courtrooms .
  

• Practice Note SC Gen 15 - Use of Audio-Visual Links in Criminal and certain Civil Proceedings.