New South Wales act

Court Security Act 2005

In ForceNSW

Jurisdiction

New South Wales

Act Number

1 of 2005

Collection

act

Plain English Summary

6/10 complexity

This law creates a statutory court-security regime: the Sheriff appoints security officers who can screen, search, require deposits, confiscate restricted items, check identity (including removing face coverings in limited cases), control behaviour, and arrest for offences on court premises. It also bans unauthorised recording and sets penalties, return/forfeiture procedures and a penalty‑notice scheme.

It affects everyone on court premises (including journalists and police), centralises discretionary security powers with procedural safeguards and an appeal route for contested confiscations.

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What it does

The Court Security Act 2005 establishes a comprehensive statutory framework for maintaining the physical and operational security of courts and tribunals across New South Wales. At its core, the Act pursues the twin objects stated in s 3: to provide for the secure and orderly operation of courts, and to confer specific functions on judicial officers and security officers to achieve that end.

Part 2 regulates entry to and conduct within court premises. Section 6 confers a qualified right on members of the public (including journalists under s 6(2)) to enter and remain in public areas provided they comply with judicial orders and security-officer directions. This right is expressly made subject to the Act itself, the inherent jurisdiction of the court, and any other law (s 6(3)). Judicial officers are empowered by s 7 to close court premises or parts thereof for up to 28 days (renewable) if necessary for order and safety, with a 50-penalty-unit offence for contravention. Section 7A, inserted in 2011, authorises security officers to refuse entry or require departure of any person accompanied by an animal, subject to exceptions for assistance animals under the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and animals authorised by a judicial officer, police officer or security officer. A modest 5-penalty-unit offence applies.

Sections 8–9B impose strict conduct prohibitions. It is an offence to possess a restricted item (firearms, prohibited weapons or any knife) without reasonable excuse (s 8(1)), with tiered maximum penalties of 100 penalty units or 2 years imprisonment for firearms and prohibited weapons, and 20 penalty units or 2 years for other knives. Express exceptions operate for exhibits properly contained (s 8(2)(a)), items authorised by a judicial officer (s 8(2)(b)), security officers in the course of their duties, police and custodial officers, and prescribed circumstances. Section 9 prohibits the use of any recording device to record sound or images in court premises (maximum 200 penalty units or 12 months imprisonment). Exceptions include express judicial permission, lawyers recording their own voice outside the courtroom proper, official transcription, journalists exercising the s 6(2) outdoor right, and prescribed cases. The note to s 9(1) clarifies that the prohibition targets only the recording function, not other uses of a device such as making a telephone call.

Current sections

Direct links to the current provisions in Court Security Act 2005.

Part 1

Preliminary

Part 1 Preliminary

Name of Act

1 Name of Act

This Act is the Court Security Act 2005.

Commencement

2 Commencement

This Act commences on a day or days to be appointed by proclamation.

Objects of Act

3 Objects of Act

The objects of this Act are—

(a) to provide for the secure and orderly operation of courts, and

(b) to confer certain functions on judicial officers and security officers for that purpose.

Definitions

4 Definitions

(1) In this Act—

audio link means facilities (including telephone) that enable audio communication between persons at different places.

audio visual link means facilities (including closed-circuit television) that enable audio and visual communication between persons at different places.

correctional centre means a correctional centre within the meaning of the Crimes (Administration of Sentences) Act 1999, and includes a correctional complex within the meaning of that Act.

correctional officer means a correctional officer within the meaning of the Crimes (Administration of Sentences) Act 1999.

court means any of the following—

(a) the Supreme Court,

(b) the Industrial Relations Commission,

(c) the Land and Environment Court,

(d) the District Court,

(e) the Drug Court,

(f) the Children’s Court,

(g) the Local Court (including the Local Court constituted by an Industrial Local Court Judge),

(h) the Dust Diseases Tribunal,

(i), (j) (Repealed)

(k) a person who exercises or performs the functions of a coroner under the Coroners Act 2009,

(l) the Civil and Administrative Tribunal,

(m) the State Parole Authority,

(n) any other tribunal, body or person prescribed by the regulations that is authorised by law to conduct proceedings for the purpose of the determination of any matter or thing.

court premises, in relation to a court, means the premises or place where a court is held or that is used in relation to the operations of a court, and (without limitation) includes—

(a) a forecourt, courtyard, yard, parking area, toilet facility, hall, corridor or other area used in conjunction with the premises or place, and

(b) a part of premises or a place used as an entrance to or exit from the premises or place where the court is held or that is used in relation to the operations of the court, and

(c) a part of premises or a place being used to enable a person to appear before the court by means of an audio link or audio visual link, and

(d) any part of premises or a place used in relation to the operations of a court, or referred to in the preceding paragraphs, that is also used for other purposes.

court security power means a power conferred on a security officer by Part 3.

custodial officer for a person means any of the following—

(a) a police officer who has lawful custody of the person for the time being,

(b) a correctional officer or other officer of the Department of Corrective Services who has lawful custody of the person for the time being,

(c) an officer of the Department of Juvenile Justice who has lawful custody of the person for the time being.

exercise a function includes perform a duty.

face and face covering have the same meanings as they have in the Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002.

fail to comply includes refuse to comply.

function includes a power, authority or duty.

journalist means a person engaged in the profession or practice of reporting, photographing, editing or recording for a media report of a news, current affairs, information or documentary character.

judicial officer means—

(a) a judicial officer within the meaning of the Judicial Officers Act 1986, or

(b) any other person who is, or who alone or with others constitutes, a court.

media report means an article, program or other report for publication in or broadcast on any of the following—

(a) a newspaper, magazine, journal or other periodical,

(b) a radio or television broadcasting service,

(c) an electronic service (including a service provided by the Internet) that is similar to a newspaper, magazine, radio broadcast or television broadcast.

mobile phone includes any device that may be used, in whole or in part, for the purpose of sending or receiving voice or other data over a mobile telephone network, whether or not it may be used for any other purpose.

offensive implement means any thing (other than a restricted item)—

(a) made or adapted for use for causing injury to a person, or

(b) intended, by the person having custody of the thing, to be used to injure or menace a person or damage property.

personal search means a search (other than a scanner search) of a person or of things in the person’s possession or control that may include any of the following—

(a) an examination of any thing worn or carried by the person that is conveniently and voluntarily removed by the person,

(b) a search of a person conducted by quickly running the hands over the person’s outer clothing,

(c) requiring the person to remove only his or her overcoat, coat or jacket or similar article of clothing and any gloves, shoes, belt and hat and conducting an examination of those things,

but does not include requiring a person to remove a face covering.

recording device means any device that is capable of being used to record images or sound (or both), including any of the following devices—

(a) a camera (including a video camera),

(b) a mobile phone that is capable of recording images or sound (or both),

(c) a tape recorder or digital audio recorder,

(d) a portable document scanner.

restricted item means any of the following—

(a) any prohibited weapon within the meaning of the Weapons Prohibition Act 1998,

(b) a firearm, or an imitation firearm, within the meaning of the Firearms Act 1996,

(c) any knife (whether or not a prohibited weapon within the meaning of the Weapons Prohibition Act 1998).

scanner search means a search of a person or of things in the person’s possession or control that involves—

(a) passing an electronic scanning or screening device over or in close proximity to the person’s outer clothing, or

(b) requiring the person to pass through, or provide a thing for passage through, an electronic scanning or screening device.

security officer means—

(a) the Sheriff, or

(b) a person appointed by the Sheriff under section 21.

Note.

The Interpretation Act 1987 contains definitions and other provisions that affect the interpretation and application of this Act.

(2) Notes included in this Act do not form part of this Act.

s 4: Am 2007 No 92, Sch 4.3; 2007 No 94, Sch 2; 2008 No 62, Sch 2.15; 2008 No 107, Sch 29.2; 2009 No 41, Sch 4; 2010 No 40, Sch 3.7 [1]; 2011 No 15, Sch 1 [1]; 2011 No 45, Sch 2.3 [1] [2]; 2013 No 95, Sch 2.41; 2019 No 10, Sch 1.5; 2019 No 20, Sch 1.5[1]; 2025 No 61, Sch 2.22.

Operation of Act and effect on other powers

5 Operation of Act and effect on other powers

(1) The powers conferred by this Act are in addition to, and not in derogation of, any other power of a court, judicial officer or other person in relation to the conduct of proceedings in a court or regulating the conduct of persons in court premises.

(2) Without limiting subsection (1), this Act does not affect—

(a) any power of a court relating to contempt of the court or any other similar power, or

(b) any power of a correctional officer under the Crimes (Administration of Sentences) Act 1999 or any other law with respect to a person in the officer’s custody in a court cell complex or other place in court premises.

Part 2

Entry and use of court premises

Part 2 Entry and use of court premises

Right to enter and remain in open areas of court premises

6 Right to enter and remain in open areas of court premises

(1) A person has a right to enter and remain in an area of court premises that is open to the public if—

(a) the person has complied with all relevant orders made by a judicial officer (whether under this Act or another law) in respect of the person, and

(b) the person has complied with all directions or requirements made by a security officer under this Act in respect of the person.

(2) Without limiting subsection (1), a journalist has a right to enter and remain in an area of court premises open to the public that is located outside of a building in which the court is housed or is sitting for the purpose of making a media report if the journalist is not obstructing or otherwise impeding access to the building.

(3) This section has effect subject to the following—

(a) the provisions of this Act,

(b) any inherent or implied jurisdiction of a court to regulate its proceedings,

(c) any other Act or law about persons who may be present in a court or court premises.

(4) Nothing in this section confers a right on any person to enter or remain in a correctional centre for the purpose of seeing another person appear before a court by means of an audio link or audio visual link.

Judicial officer may close court premises for security reasons

7 Judicial officer may close court premises for security reasons

(1) If a judicial officer considers it necessary for securing order and safety in court premises or a part of court premises, the judicial officer may—

(a) order members of the public generally, or specified members of the public, to leave the court premises or a part of the court premises, or

(b) order members of the public generally, or specified members of the public, not to be admitted to the court premises or a part of the court premises.

(1A) An order of a judicial officer under this section may have effect for no more than 28 days. However, nothing prevents the judicial officer from renewing the order for a further period not greater than 28 days if the judicial officer considers that the circumstances warrant it.

(1B) An order may be renewed more than once.

(2) A person must not contravene an order of a judicial officer under this section.

Maximum penalty—50 penalty units.

s 7: Am 2011 No 15, Sch 1 [2].

Animals in court premises

7A Animals in court premises

(1) A security officer may refuse a person entry to court premises, or may require a person in court premises to leave the premises, if the person is in possession of an animal.

(2) If a security officer requires a person to leave court premises in accordance with this section, the person must immediately leave the premises.

Maximum penalty—5 penalty units.

(3) This section does not apply to or in respect of the following—

(a) an assistance animal (within the meaning of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 of the Commonwealth) that is being used by a person with a disability (within the meaning of that Act),

(b) an animal that is taken into court premises with the authority of a judicial officer, police officer or security officer.

s 7A: Ins 2011 No 15, Sch 1 [3].

Possession of restricted items in court premises

8 Possession of restricted items in court premises

(1) A person must not, without reasonable excuse, be in possession of a restricted item while in court premises.

Maximum penalty—

(a) in the case of a restricted item that is a prohibited weapon within the meaning of the Weapons Prohibition Act 1998 or a firearm, or an imitation firearm, within the meaning of the Firearms Act 1996—100 penalty units or imprisonment for 2 years (or both), or

(b) in the case of a knife that is not a prohibited weapon within the meaning of the Weapons Prohibition Act 1998—20 penalty units or imprisonment for 2 years (or both).

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply with respect to any of the following—

(a) the possession of any restricted item that is (or is to be) an exhibit in proceedings before a court in court premises if—

(i) the item is in the possession of a person who is involved in the conduct of, or appearing in, the proceedings, and

(ii) the item is enclosed in a bag or other container of a kind prescribed by the regulations,

(b) the possession of any restricted item that a judicial officer has directed should be allowed to be brought into court premises,

(c) the possession by a security officer of any restricted item that has been taken into possession or confiscated under this Act,

(d) the possession by a police officer or custodial officer of any restricted item in the exercise of the officer’s functions under any Act or law,

(e) the possession of such restricted items in such other kinds of circumstances as may be prescribed by the regulations.

s 8: Am 2010 No 40, Sch 3.7 [2]; 2017 No 40, Sch 1.4.

Use of recording devices in court premises

9 Use of recording devices in court premises

(1) A person must not use a recording device to record sound or images (or both) in court premises.

Maximum penalty—200 penalty units or imprisonment for 12 months (or both).

Note.

This subsection only prohibits the use of a recording device to record sound or images (or both) and not any other use of the device. For example, this subsection would not prohibit a person from using a mobile phone with recording capabilities to make a telephone call, but would prohibit the use of the phone to record court proceedings.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply with respect to any of the following—

(a) the use of a recording device that has been expressly permitted by a judicial officer,

(b) the use by a lawyer of a recording device to record the lawyer’s own voice in a part of court premises other than a room where a court is sitting,

(c) the use of a recording device by a person for the purpose of transcribing court proceedings for the court,

(d) the use of a recording device by a journalist while exercising a right referred to in section 6 (2),

(e) the use of such recording devices in such other kinds of circumstances as may be prescribed by the regulations.

Prohibition on unauthorised transmission of court proceedings from courtroom

9A Prohibition on unauthorised transmission of court proceedings from courtroom

(1) A person must not use any device to transmit sounds or images (or both) from a room or other place where a court is sitting, or to transmit information that forms part of the proceedings of a court from a room or other place where that court is sitting, in any of the following ways—

(a) by transmitting the sounds, images or information to any person or place outside that room or other place,

(b) by posting entries containing the sounds, images or information on social media sites or any other website,

(c) by otherwise broadcasting or publishing the sounds, images or information by means of the Internet,

(d) by otherwise making the sounds, images or information accessible to any person outside that room or other place,

whether that transmission, posting, broadcasting, publishing or other conduct occurs simultaneously with the proceedings or at a later time (or both).

Maximum penalty—200 penalty units or imprisonment for 12 months (or both).

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to any of the following—

(a) a device being used for a purpose other than a purpose referred to in subsection (1),

(b) the transmission of sounds, images or information by an audio link, audio visual link, closed-circuit link or other technology that enables communication between the room or other place where the court is sitting and another place and that has been expressly permitted by a judicial officer,

(c) any other transmission of sounds, images or information that has been expressly approved by a judicial officer,

(d) the transmission of sounds, images or information for the purpose of transcribing court proceedings for the court at a place outside the room or other place where the court is sitting,

(e) the use by a prosecutor of a tablet computer or other similar device to transmit sounds, images or information only to another prosecutor who either is not a witness in the relevant court proceedings or, if he or she is such a witness, who has already given evidence in those proceedings,

(f) the transmission of sounds, images or information in any circumstances that may be prescribed by the regulations.

s 9A: Ins 2013 No 1, Sch 1.8 [1].

Prohibition on unauthorised distribution of court recording

9B Prohibition on unauthorised distribution of court recording

(1) A person must not transmit or distribute a recording of sounds or images (or both) of court proceedings, including part of a recording, by any means.

Maximum penalty—200 penalty units or imprisonment for 12 months, or both.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply unless the person knows or suspects, or ought reasonably to know or suspect, that none of the following apply—

(a) the transmission or distribution of the recording has been expressly approved by a judicial officer,

(b) the transmission or distribution of the recording is for the purpose of transcribing court proceedings for the court,

(c) the transmission or distribution of the recording occurred in any other circumstances prescribed by the regulations.

s 9B: Ins 2020 No 24, Sch 1.2.

Part 3

Court security powers

Part 3 Court security powers

Note.

The exercise of certain powers conferred on security officers by this Part are subject to the provisions of Part 5. Section 19 limits the circumstances in which these powers (other than the power conferred by section 15) may be exercised. Section 20 also makes provision for certain safeguards that security officers are to observe when exercising these powers (other than the powers conferred by sections 10 and 11).

Division 1

Search and seizure

Division 1 Search and seizure

Power to search persons and vehicles

10 Power to search persons and vehicles

(1) A security officer may require a person who is entering or in court premises to do any or all of the following—

(a) submit to a scanner search of the person (but not if the officer believes that a scanner search would pose a risk to the health of the person) or to provide a thing in the person’s possession or control to the security officer for a scanner search,

(b) submit to a personal search of the person if—

(i) the officer believes on reasonable grounds that the person possesses a restricted item or offensive implement, or

(ii) the person has submitted to a scanner search and the officer believes, as a result of the scanner search, that a personal search is appropriate,

(c) stop any vehicle in the person’s possession or control that is about to be driven, or that has been driven, into the court premises,

(d) allow a vehicle in the person’s possession or control to be searched if the officer believes on reasonable grounds that the person possesses or the vehicle contains a restricted item or offensive implement,

(e) produce for inspection any thing that the security officer has detected or seen on or with the person that the security officer believes on reasonable grounds is a restricted item or offensive implement or may be required to be deposited with the officer under section 11 (1),

(f) answer any question that is reasonable in the circumstances concerning the nature of a thing that is being inspected or that has been detected during a search under this section.

(2) A search of a person conducted under this section must, as far as is reasonably practicable in the circumstances, comply with the following requirements—

(a) the security officer must inform the person to be searched of the following matters—

(i) whether the person will be required to remove clothing during the search,

(ii) why it is necessary to remove the clothing,

(b) the security officer must ask for the person’s co-operation,

(c) a personal search must be conducted—

(i) in a way that provides reasonable privacy for the person searched, and

(ii) as quickly as is reasonably practicable,

(d) the security officer must conduct the least invasive kind of search practicable in the circumstances,

(e) a personal search of a child under 12 years of age may only be conducted if a responsible person for the child is present during the search,

(f) a personal search of a person (other than a child under 12 years of age) must be conducted by a security officer of the same sex as the person or, if a security officer of that sex is unavailable, by another person of that sex at the direction of a security officer,

(g) a personal search of a child under 12 years of age must be conducted by a female security officer or, if a female security officer is unavailable, by another female person at the direction of a security officer.

(3) If a security officer makes a requirement of a person under subsection (1) and the person fails immediately to comply with that requirement or to leave the court premises, the security officer may again make the requirement and, in that case, must—

(a) warn the person that a failure immediately to comply with the requirement or leave the court premises may be an offence, and

(b) provide the person with the information referred to in section 20 (2) (a)–(c).

(4) If a security officer makes a requirement of a person in accordance with subsection (3), the person must immediately—

(a) comply with the requirement, or

(b) leave the court premises.

Maximum penalty (subsection (4)): 5 penalty units.

(5) In this section—

responsible person for a child means a person (other than a security officer) aged 16 years or more who—

(a) is a parent (including a step-parent), grandparent or sibling (including a half-sibling) of the child, or

(b) is a guardian of the child, or

(c) has custody of the child for the time being, or

(d) is accompanying the child as the child’s legal representative, friend, carer or support person, or

(e) is a person, or person belonging to a class of persons, prescribed by the regulations.

s 10: Am 2011 No 15, Sch 1 [4]; 2019 No 20, Sch 1.5[2].

Power to require property and other things to be surrendered for safekeeping

11 Power to require property and other things to be surrendered for safekeeping

(1) A security officer may require a person who is entering or in court premises to deposit with the officer while the person remains in the premises any or all of the following—

(a) any thing in the person’s possession or control that the security officer believes on reasonable grounds is a restricted item or offensive implement,

(b) any thing in the person’s possession or control that is reasonably capable of concealing a thing of the kind referred to in paragraph (a),

(c) any alcohol, or bottle or other container in which alcohol is contained, that is in the person’s possession or control unless the person is taking it into court premises with the authority of a judicial officer or the registrar of the relevant court,

(d) any other thing in the person’s possession or control that the security officer believes on reasonable grounds to be a thing that is, or is of a class, prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this section.

(2) If a security officer makes a requirement of a person under subsection (1) and the person fails immediately to comply with that requirement or to leave the court premises, the security officer may again make the requirement and, in that case, must—

(a) warn the person that a failure immediately to comply with the requirement or leave the court premises may be an offence, and

(b) provide the person with the information referred to in section 20 (2) (a)–(c).

(3) If a security officer makes a requirement of a person in accordance with subsection (2), the person must immediately—

(a) comply with the requirement, or

(b) leave the court premises.

Maximum penalty (subsection (3)): 5 penalty units.

(4) Subject to section 12, if a person deposits a thing with a security officer under subsection (1), the security officer must ensure that the thing is returned to the person if—

(a) the person requests the return of the thing, and

(b) the security officer is satisfied, on reasonable grounds, that the person is about to leave the court premises.

s 11: Am 2011 No 15, Sch 1 [5]; 2012 No 60, Sch 4.

Power to confiscate restricted items and other things

12 Power to confiscate restricted items and other things

(1) Power to take into possession and confiscate certain things A security officer may in any court premises—

(a) take possession of any thing that the security officer has reasonable grounds to believe is—

(i) a restricted item, or

(ii) an offensive implement, or

(iii) a recording device or other device that has been used in contravention of section 9 or 9A, or

(iv) any film, tape or other recording medium in a recording device or other device used in contravention of section 9 or 9A, and

(b) confiscate the thing.

(2) Confiscated thing to be returned or handed to police A security officer who confiscates a thing under this section (the confiscated thing) must—

(a) if the officer is satisfied after examining the thing that its retention as evidence is not required and that it is lawful for the person to have possession of the thing—return the thing to the person from whom it was confiscated, or

(b) if the officer is not so satisfied—give the thing (or cause the thing to be given) to the Police Area Commander or Police District Commander for the area or district in which the court premises are located as soon as is reasonably practicable after its confiscation.

(3) The Police Area Commander or Police District Commander to whom a confiscated thing is given must return the thing to the person from whom it was confiscated or to its owner if satisfied after examining the thing that its retention as evidence is not required and that it is lawful for the person to have possession of the thing.

(4) Applications for return of confiscated things The person from whom a thing is confiscated under this section or its owner may, within the period of 28 days after it is confiscated (the initial confiscation period), apply to the Police Area Commander or Police District Commander for its return.

(5) An application for the return of the confiscated thing must be in writing and state why the thing should in all the circumstances be returned.

(6) If the person seeking the return of the confiscated thing is under the age of 18 years, the application for its return may be made only by a parent or guardian of the person, or a person who has lawful care or custody of the person, on his or her behalf.

(7) Appeals to Local Court against refusals to return confiscated things If the Police Area Commander or Police District Commander fails or refuses to return a confiscated thing at the expiration of the initial confiscation period to a person who has made an application for its return under this section, the person may appeal against the failure or refusal to the Local Court within 28 days of the expiration of the initial confiscation period.

(8) On hearing such an appeal, the Local Court may order that the confiscated thing—

(a) be forfeited to the Crown, or

(b) be returned to the applicant or some other appropriate person.

(9) Without limiting subsection (8), the Local Court may, if the confiscated thing is a recording device, limit any order for forfeiture to the film, tape or other recording medium used in the device.

(10) Forfeiture of confiscated things A confiscated thing is forfeited to the Crown—

(a) if an application for the return of the thing is not made within the initial confiscation period—at the expiration of that period, or

(b) in a case where such an application is made within the initial confiscation period and the thing is not returned within that period—

(i) if an appeal under this section is not made within 28 days after the expiration of the initial confiscation period—at the expiration of that period, or

(ii) if an appeal under this section is made within 28 days after the expiration of the initial confiscation period—when an order made under subsection (8) (a) in respect of the thing takes effect.

(11) The Police Area Commander or Police District Commander (or such other person as the Commissioner of Police may direct) may destroy or otherwise dispose of a confiscated thing forfeited to the Crown under this section in accordance with the directions of the Commissioner of Police.

(12) Confiscated thing may be destroyed In this section, a reference to the disposal of a thing includes a reference to its destruction.

s 12: Am 2007 No 94, Sch 2; 2013 No 1, Sch 1.8 [2] [3]; 2018 No 29, Sch 2.2 [1] [2].

Division 1A

12A–12H

pt 3, div 1A: Ins 2020 No 4, Sch 1.1. Rep 2004 No 1, sec 12H.

pt 3, div 1A, sdiv 1: Ins 2020 No 4, Sch 1.1. Rep 2004 No 1, sec 12H.

s 12A: Ins 2020 No 4, Sch 1.1. Rep 2004 No 1, sec 12H.

s 12B: Ins 2020 No 4, Sch 1.1. Rep 2004 No 1, sec 12H.

s 12C: Ins 2020 No 4, Sch 1.1. Rep 2004 No 1, sec 12H.

pt 3, div 1A, sdiv 2: Ins 2020 No 4, Sch 1.1. Rep 2004 No 1, sec 12H.

s 12D: Ins 2020 No 4, Sch 1.1. Rep 2004 No 1, sec 12H.

s 12E: Ins 2020 No 4, Sch 1.1. Rep 2004 No 1, sec 12H.

s 12F: Ins 2020 No 4, Sch 1.1. Rep 2004 No 1, sec 12H.

s 12G: Ins 2020 No 4, Sch 1.1. Rep 2004 No 1, sec 12H.

pt 3, div 1A, sdiv 3: Ins 2020 No 4, Sch 1.1. Rep 2004 No 1, sec 12H.

s 12H: Ins 2020 No 4, Sch 1.1. Subst 2021 No 4, Sch 1.11. Rep 2004 No 1, sec 12H.

Division 2

Identification of persons

Division 2 Identification of persons

Power to ask for identification particulars

13 Power to ask for identification particulars

(1) A security officer may require a person who is entering or in court premises and whose name or residential address is unknown to the officer to disclose the person’s name and residential address or to disclose the reason for the person’s visit to the court premises, or both, if the officer believes on reasonable grounds that—

(a) the person is carrying a restricted item or offensive implement, or

(b) the person has committed an offence in the court premises.

(2) However, a security officer may not require a person who is in possession of a restricted item or offensive implement to provide information of the kind referred to in subsection (1) if—

(a) in the case of a restricted item—the officer has reasonable grounds to believe that the person is permitted to possess the item in court premises under section 8 (2), or

(b) in the case of an offensive implement—the officer has reasonable grounds to believe that the person would have been permitted to possess the implement in court premises under section 8 (2) if the implement had been a restricted item.

(3) A person—

(a) must not, without reasonable excuse, fail to comply with a requirement made by a security officer in accordance with subsection (1) and section 20, or

(b) must not attempt to comply with a requirement made by a security officer in accordance with subsection (1) and section 20 by—

(i) stating a reason that is false or misleading in a material particular, or

(ii) providing a name or address that is false or misleading in a material particular.

Maximum penalty—2 penalty units.

Note.

Section 20 requires a security officer to provide certain information and a warning before exercising a power under this section.

(4) A security officer may request a person who is required by the officer in accordance with subsection (1) and section 20 to disclose the person’s name and address to provide proof of the person’s name and address.

13A

Power to require removal of face coverings

13A Power to require removal of face coverings

(1) A security officer may require a person who is wearing a face covering to remove the covering so as to enable the officer, or another security officer or person assisting in following the procedures set out in subsection (2), to see the person’s face if—

(a) the person is seeking to enter court premises, or

(b) the officer arrests, or has grounds for arresting, the person under this Act.

Note.

Section 16 sets out the circumstances in which a security officer may arrest a person.

(2) A security officer who requires a person to remove a face covering under this section must, as far as is reasonably practicable, ensure that the following procedures are followed—

(a) the security officer must ask for the person’s co-operation,

(b) the viewing of the person’s face must be conducted—

(i) in a way that provides reasonable privacy for the person if the person requests privacy, and

(ii) as quickly as is reasonably practicable,

(c) the viewing of the face of a child under 12 years of age may only be conducted if a responsible person for the child is present during the viewing,

(d) if the person is 12 years old or older and requests it—the viewing of the person’s face is to be conducted by a security officer of the same sex as the person or, if a security officer of that sex is unavailable, by another person of that sex at the direction of a security officer,

(e) if the person is a child under 12 years old and the responsible person for the child requests it—the viewing of the child’s face is to be conducted by a female security officer or, if a female security officer is unavailable, by another female person at the direction of a security officer.

(3) If a security officer—

(a) makes a requirement of a person under subsection (1) (a) and the person fails immediately to comply with that requirement or to leave the court premises, or

(b) makes a requirement of a person under subsection (1) (b) and the person fails immediately to comply with that requirement,

the security officer may again make the requirement and, in that case, must—

(c) where the requirement being repeated was made under subsection (1) (a)—warn the person that a failure immediately to comply with the requirement or leave the court premises may be an offence, and

(d) where the requirement being repeated was made under subsection (1) (b)—warn the person that a failure immediately to comply with the requirement may be an offence, and

(e) provide the person with the information referred to in section 20 (2) (a)–(c).

(4) A security officer may not make a requirement in accordance with subsection (3) if the person establishes, to the officer’s satisfaction, that the person has a special justification for not removing the face covering.

Note.

A special justification includes having a legitimate medical reason for not removing the face covering.

(5) If a security officer makes a requirement of a person in accordance with subsection (3), the person must immediately—

(a) comply with the requirement, or

(b) in the case of a requirement made of a person seeking to enter court premises—leave the court premises.

Maximum penalty (subsection (5)): 5 penalty units.

(6) It is sufficient compliance with a requirement made under this section if only so much of the face covering as prevents the person’s face from being seen is removed.

(7) This section does not limit any other power that a security officer may have under section 14 or any other provision of this Act.

(8) In this section—

responsible person for a child has the same meaning as it has in section 10.

special justification has the same meaning as it has in section 19B of the Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002.

s 13A: Ins 2011 No 45, Sch 2.3 [3].

Division 3

Directions to persons

Division 3 Directions to persons

Power to give directions

14 Power to give directions

(1) A security officer may give a direction to a person in court premises if the security officer has reasonable grounds to believe that the person’s behaviour in the premises (referred to in this section as relevant conduct)—

(a) is obstructing another person or persons, or

(b) constitutes harassment or intimidation of another person or persons, or

(c) is causing or is likely to cause fear to another person or persons, so long as the relevant conduct would be such as to cause fear to a person of reasonable firmness.

(2) Such a direction must be reasonable in the circumstances for the purpose of reducing or eliminating the obstruction, harassment, intimidation or fear.

(2A) Without limiting subsection (1), a security officer may give either or both of the following directions to a person who is entering or in court premises—

(a) a direction to remove a helmet that is being worn by the person,

(b) a direction to not wear a helmet while in court premises.

(2B) A security officer may give a direction under subsection (2A) only if the helmet concerned is obscuring the face of the person wearing it or would obscure the face of a person wearing it.

(3) If a security officer has complied with this section and section 20 in giving a direction to a person under this section and the person fails to comply with the direction, the security officer may again give the direction and, in that case, must again warn the person that failure to comply with the direction may be an offence.

Note.

Section 20 requires a security officer to provide certain information and a warning before exercising a power under this section.

(4) A person must not, without reasonable excuse, fail to comply with a direction given in accordance with subsection (3).

Maximum penalty (subsection (4)): 20 penalty units.

(5) A person is not guilty of an offence under subsection (4) unless it is established that the person persisted, after the direction concerned was given, to engage in the relevant conduct.

(6) A security officer may give a direction under this section to persons comprising a group.

(7) In the case of a direction that is given to a group of persons in accordance with this section, the security officer is not required to repeat the direction, or to repeat the information and warning referred to in section 20, to each person in the group.

(8) In the case of a direction that is given to a group of persons in accordance with subsection (3), the security officer is not required to repeat the direction, or to repeat the warning referred to in that subsection, to each person in the group.

(9) However, just because the security officer is not required to repeat any such direction, information or warning does not in itself give rise to any presumption that each person in the group has received the direction, information or warning.

(10) The other person or persons referred to in subsection (1) need not be in the court premises but must be near the premises at the time the relevant conduct is being engaged in.

(11) For the purposes of subsection (1) (c), no person of reasonable firmness need actually be, or be likely to be, present at the scene.

s 14: Am 2011 No 15, Sch 1 [6]–[8].

Division 4

Security signs and notices

Division 4 Security signs and notices

Power to erect security signs and notices in court premises

15 Power to erect security signs and notices in court premises

(1) A security officer may erect such signs or notices in the court premises as the security officer considers necessary concerning the provision of security in the court premises.

(2) A person must not remove, alter, damage, deface or destroy any such sign or notice without the permission of a security officer or judicial officer in the court premises.

Maximum penalty—5 penalty units.

Division 5

Assisting police officers and custodial officers

Division 5 Assisting police officers and custodial officers

pt 3, div 5: Ins 2024 No 8, Sch 2[1].

15A

Assisting police officers and custodial officers

15A Assisting police officers and custodial officers

(1) A security officer may, if asked by a police officer or custodial officer, provide reasonable assistance to the police officer or custodial officer in relation to an incident affecting court security—

(a) in court premises, or

(b) in the immediate vicinity of court premises.

(2) The security officer must, when assisting the police officer or custodial officer, act at all times under the direction of—

(a) the police officer or custodial officer, or

(b) another police officer or custodial officer who is also present.

s 15A: Ins 2024 No 8, Sch 2[1].

Part 4

Powers of arrest and use of force

Part 4 Powers of arrest and use of force

Powers of arrest

16 Powers of arrest

(1) A security officer may, without a warrant, arrest a person in court premises if—

(a) the person is in the act of committing an offence under this Act or has just committed such an offence, or

(b) the security officer believes on reasonable grounds that the person has committed an offence under this Act, or

(c) the person is assaulting another person in the premises or has just assaulted another person in the premises.

Note.

Section 20 requires a security officer to provide certain information and a warning before or at the time of exercising, or as soon as is reasonably practicable after exercising, a power under this section. Section 19 limits the circumstances in which a power under this section may be exercised.

(2) A security officer may exercise the power conferred on the officer by subsection (1) in respect of a person at a place outside of the court premises if—

(a) the person absconded from the court premises in an attempt to avoid arrest, and

(b) the officer pursued the person from the court premises and the pursuit was not stopped or interrupted at any time before the officer concerned arrived at the place for the purpose of exercising the power.

(2A) A security officer may also arrest a person, without a warrant, at a place outside of court premises, if—

(a) the person absconded from the court premises in an attempt to escape from lawful custody, and

(b) the officer pursued the person from the court premises and the pursuit was not stopped or interrupted at any time before the officer arrived at the place for the purpose of arresting the person.

(3) For the purposes of subsections (2) and (2A), a pursuit of a person is taken not to have stopped or to have been interrupted only because the security officer concerned has temporarily lost sight of the person.

(4) A security officer who arrests a person under this section must, as soon as practicable, take the person—

(a) to a police officer to be dealt with according to law, or

(b) before an authorised officer to be dealt with according to law.

(4A) A security officer may discontinue an arrest at any time if the arrested person is no longer a suspect or the reason for the arrest no longer exists or for any other reason.

(5) In this section—

assault a person means commit an act of violence against a person that constitutes an offence under Part 3 of the Crimes Act 1900.

authorised officer means—

(a) before the commencement of section 99 of the Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002—an authorised justice within the meaning of the Search Warrants Act 1985, or

(b) on or after the commencement of section 99 of the Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002—an authorised officer within the meaning of that Act.

s 16: Am 2011 No 15, Sch 1 [9]–[11]; 2024 No 8, Sch 2[2] [3].

Use of force generally by security officers

17 Use of force generally by security officers

(1) It is lawful for a security officer exercising a court security power in relation to a person or a thing to use such force as is reasonably necessary to exercise the power.

(2) Without limiting subsection (1), a security officer who exercises a power to arrest under this Part may use such force as is reasonably necessary to make the arrest or to prevent the escape of the person after arrest or from lawful custody.

s 17: Am 2024 No 8, Sch 2[4].

Part 5

Limitations and safeguards on exercise of certain powers

Part 5 Limitations and safeguards on exercise of certain powers

Powers to which this Part applies

18 Powers to which this Part applies

(1) This Part applies to the exercise of any of the following powers—

(a) a court security power (other than a power conferred by section 15),

(b) a power of arrest conferred by section 16.

(2) In this Part, relevant power means a power to which this Part applies.

Limitations on exercise of relevant powers

19 Limitations on exercise of relevant powers

(1) The following limitations apply to the exercise of a relevant power—

(a) a relevant power may not be exercised in respect of a judicial officer,

(b) a relevant power may not be exercised within a room in which a court is sitting unless the security officer seeking to exercise the power is satisfied that—

(i) there is an emergency, and

(ii) there is insufficient time in the circumstances to obtain a direction from the presiding judicial officer,

(c) a relevant power may not be exercised in respect of a person who is being dealt with by a police officer unless the police officer has requested the security officer’s assistance,

(d) a relevant power may not be exercised in respect of a person who is in the custody of a custodial officer for the person unless the custodial officer has requested the security officer’s assistance,

(e) a relevant power may not be exercised in respect of such persons or in such circumstances (or both) as may be prescribed by the regulations.

(2) Despite subsection (1), a security officer may exercise a relevant power in respect of a person or in a circumstance referred to in that subsection if—

(a) a judicial officer directs the security officer to exercise the power, or

(b) the security officer is exercising the power to prevent the person from causing harm to himself or herself or to another person or causing damage to property, or

(c) the security officer is assisting a custodial officer for the person to prevent the person from escaping from lawful custody.

Safeguards concerning exercise of relevant powers

20 Safeguards concerning exercise of relevant powers

(1) This section—

(a) does not apply to the exercise of a power under section 10, 11 or 13A, and

(b) applies in addition to, and not in derogation of, the provisions of section 14.

Note.

Sections 10, 11 and 13A make special provision for the giving of the kind of information referred to in this section.

Section 14, which confers a power on security officers to give persons in court premises reasonable directions, contains a number of safeguards in relation to the exercise of the power.

(2) A security officer must provide the person who is subject to the exercise of a relevant power with the following information within the time specified by subsection (3)—

(a) evidence that the officer is a security officer (for example, by showing the person the officer’s certificate of identification),

(b) the name or badge number of the security officer,

(c) the reason for the exercise of the power,

(d) a warning that failure or refusal to comply with a direction or requirement of the security officer, in the exercise of the power, may be an offence.

(3) The information referred to in subsection (2) must be provided—

(a) in the case of the exercise of a power of arrest—

(i) if it is practicable to do so, before or at the time of exercising the power, or

(ii) if it is not practicable to do so, as soon as is reasonably practicable after exercising the power, or

(b) in any other case—before exercising the power concerned.

(4) The information referred to in subsection (2) may, but need not, be provided in writing.

(5) If 2 or more security officers are exercising a relevant power, only one officer present is required to comply with this section.

(6) However, if a person asks another security officer present for information as to the name or badge number of the security officer, the security officer must give to the person the information requested.

s 20: Am 2011 No 45, Sch 2.3 [4] [5].

Part 6

Security officers

Part 6 Security officers

Security officers

21 Security officers

(1) The Sheriff may, by instrument in writing, appoint any of the following persons to be a security officer—

(a) a sheriff’s officer,

(b) any other person who holds a licence under the Security Industry Act 1997 to carry out security activities of the kind that a security officer may be required to carry out under this Act.

(2) The Sheriff may, at any time and for any reason, revoke an appointment of a person made under subsection (1) by notice in writing given to the person.

(3) A security officer appointed under subsection (1) (b) is to be provided by the Sheriff with a certificate of identification in the form prescribed by the regulations.

Security officer to carry identification

22 Security officer to carry identification

A security officer (other than the Sheriff or a sheriff’s officer) must, at all times while exercising his or her functions under this Act, carry, and produce on demand, a certificate of identification issued under section 21.

Maximum penalty—5 penalty units.

Delegation of Sheriff’s functions not permitted

23 Delegation of Sheriff’s functions not permitted

Despite any other Act or law, the Sheriff may not delegate—

(a) any function of the Sheriff under section 21, or

(b) any function of the Sheriff as a security officer.

Part 7

Miscellaneous

Part 7 Miscellaneous

Obstruction and impersonation of security officer

24 Obstruction and impersonation of security officer

A person must not—

(a) wilfully delay, hinder or obstruct a security officer in the exercise of the officer’s functions under this Act, or

(b) falsely represent himself or herself to be a security officer in court premises.

Maximum penalty—100 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months (or both).

Exclusion of liability

25 Exclusion of liability

An act or omission of a security officer, or any person acting under the direction of a security officer, does not subject the security officer or person so acting personally to any action, liability, claim or demand if the act or omission was done, or omitted to be done, in good faith for the purpose of exercising a function under this Act.

Service of documents

26 Service of documents

(1) A document that is authorised or required by this Act or the regulations to be given or served on any person may be given or served by—

(a) in the case of a natural person—

(i) delivering it to the person personally, or

(ii) sending it by post to the address specified by the person for the giving or service of documents or, if no such address is specified, the residential or business address of the person last known to the person giving or serving the document, or

(iii) sending it by facsimile transmission to the facsimile number of the person, or

(b) in the case of a body corporate—

(i) leaving it with a person apparently of or above the age of 16 years at, or by sending it by post to, the head office, a registered office or a principal office of the body corporate or to an address specified by the body corporate for the giving or service of documents, or

(ii) sending it by facsimile transmission to the facsimile number of the body corporate.

(2) Nothing in this section affects the operation of any provision of a law or of the rules of a court authorising a document to be served on a person in any other manner.

Onus of proof concerning reasonable excuse

27 Onus of proof concerning reasonable excuse

In any proceedings for an offence against a provision of this Act, the onus of proving that a person had a reasonable excuse (as referred to in the provision) lies with the defendant and must be proved on the balance of probabilities.

Nature of proceedings for offences

28 Nature of proceedings for offences

(1) Proceedings for an offence under this Act may be dealt with—

(a) summarily before the Local Court, or

(b) summarily before the Supreme Court in its summary jurisdiction.

(2) If proceedings are brought in the Local Court, the maximum monetary penalty that the Local Court may impose for the offence is 100 penalty units, despite any higher maximum monetary penalty provided in respect of the offence.

s 28: Am 2007 No 94, Sch 2.

Penalty notices

29 Penalty notices

(1) A security officer may issue a penalty notice to a person if it appears to the officer that the person has committed a penalty notice offence.

(2) A penalty notice offence is an offence against this Act or the regulations that is prescribed by the regulations as a penalty notice offence.

(3) The Fines Act 1996 applies to a penalty notice issued under this section.

Note.

The Fines Act 1996 provides that, if a person issued with a penalty notice does not wish to have the matter determined by a court, the person may pay the amount specified in the notice and is not liable to any further proceedings for the alleged offence.

(4) The amount payable under a penalty notice issued under this section is the amount prescribed for the alleged offence by the regulations (not exceeding the maximum amount of penalty that could be imposed for the offence by a court).

(5) This section does not limit the operation of any other provision of, or made under, this or any other Act relating to proceedings that may be taken in respect of offences.

s 29: Subst 2017 No 22, Sch 3.14.

Regulations

30 Regulations

The Governor may make regulations, not inconsistent with this Act, for or with respect to any matter that by this Act is required or permitted to be prescribed or that is necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Act.

Savings, transitional and other provisions

31 Savings, transitional and other provisions

Schedule 1 has effect.

32

32 (Repealed)

Review of Act

33 Review of Act

(1) The Minister is to review this Act to determine whether the policy objectives of the Act remain valid and whether the terms of the Act remain appropriate for securing those objectives.

(2) The review is to be undertaken as soon as possible after the period of 5 years from the date of assent to this Act.

(3) A report on the outcome of the review is to be tabled in each House of Parliament within 12 months after the end of the period of 5 years.

Schedule 1

Savings, transitional and other provisions

Schedule 1 Savings, transitional and other provisions

(Section 31)

sch 1: Am 2011 No 15, Sch 1 [12] [13].

Source text: opening excerpt

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