Non-publication & suppression orders

NPO Quick Check

Check if the case you are covering is subject to a non-publication order. View an updated list of NPOs by case name or file number (XLSX, 77.7 KB) (as at 7 October 2023). For more information about an NPO, please contact the Supreme Court Media Unit.

The publication inadvertent or otherwise of suppressed information can have serious consequences for the administration of justice. For example, criminal trials can be prejudiced and even aborted, protected witnesses can be placed in danger, and commercially sensitive or confidential information can be revealed.

Statutory non-publication

Court proceedings and documents can be suppressed or temporarily prohibited from publication by a legislative provision (for example, section 15A of the Child (Criminal Proceedings) Act 1987.

Criminal appeals

For some matters before the Court of Criminal Appeal, such as interlocutory applications in current or pending trials, a formal NPO might not be in place but caution should still be exercised in publishing material about the appeal to avoid the risk of prejudice to a current or pending trial.

The Supreme Court Media Unit advises journalists and media lawyers when non-publication and suppression orders are made, varied or revoked. If there is any doubt regarding the suppression or non-publication of any proceedings or documents, please contact the Media Manager to opt-in to the non-publication orders media distribution list.

Court Suppression and Non-publication Orders Act 2010 (NSW)

The CSNPO Act provides for the making of suppression and non-publication orders by courts. Find out more about this important legislation.

Last updated:

22 Oct 2023