In this section you'll find information about going to court - preparing for court, what to expect and legal aid.
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Prepare for court
Find out how to get an interpreter in court, or ask the court to speak in another language, how to file a document, or make an application, at court and how to get a document witnessed or certified.
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What to expect at court
When you first arrive at court, you should expect to go through court security. Find out what to expect if you're a witness, supporting someone going to court and what happens inside a court room.
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Legal aid
Legal aid is government funding to pay for legal help for people who can't afford a lawyer.
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Going to court without a lawyer
You can represent yourself at court, without a lawyer. Find out how to prepare to represent yourself.
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Court fees for civil & family court cases
Fees can apply for some applications or stages of a court case.
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Court hearing schedules
Most courts have a hearing schedule of what cases are being heard and when. The Family Court and Youth Court are not open to the public.
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Name of registry in English & te reo Māori
The District Court Amendment Rules 2021 include changes to the Criminal Procedure Rules 2012 and the District Court Rules 2014, which require the addition of te reo Māori registry names in the header of existing criminal and civil District Court documents.
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Participating in a Virtual Meeting Room court hearing
Courts and tribunals have the ability to run events remotely. That is, where some or all people involved in the case (including the judge and the registrar) attend by teleconference (phone), by videoconference using Virtual Meeting Rooms, or using Microsoft Teams (an online meeting platform that uses an internet browser, or the Teams app, available on a computer, tablet or smartphone).
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