Representing yourself in court

This page has information about going to court without a lawyer in the Northern Territory (NT).  

You may wish to get legal advice before you represent yourself in court.

Court staff cannot give you legal advice or any other recommendations.

Before your court date

If you need special equipment for your case, for example, a TV monitor and video cassette player, tell the court staff in advance.

Arriving in court

Courts have a strict set of rules and etiquette everyone must follow.

You should do all of the following:

• arrive on time
• dress in clean, smart clothing
• bring all your documents.

If you are late, your case might be heard without you and a warrant could be issued for your arrest.

You should stand when the court speaks to you, and when you speak to the court.

To find out more about what you should do in court, go to courtroom rules.

Representing yourself in the Local Court

The Local Court Judge cannot speak to you about your case except when your case is being heard, and when the other party is there.

The Local Court Judge cannot advise you how to conduct your case. However, you can ask for the magistrate’s directions if you are in doubt about the correct procedure.  

It may make you feel more comfortable to sit in the courtroom to hear other matters, while you are waiting for your matter to be heard.

Representing yourself in the Supreme Court

There are handbooks you can read to help understand the court process in the Supreme Court.

These handbooks are not a substitute for legal advice.

Get the handbooks on the Supreme Court website.