Mention hearing preparation (Local Court)
A Local Court mention is a short listing but often decisive — plea, bail and directions all happen quickly. This checklist walks through the standard preparation steps.
This is a 12-step preparation checklist for a Local Court mention in NSW. It covers the charges, facts, plea, bail, orders sought and the plan for the day.
The checklist
Confirm the listing
Check JusticeLink or the court list for courtroom, time and the presiding magistrate.
Review the Court Attendance Notice
Check the charges, dates, particulars and any typographical errors requiring amendment.
Review the police facts
Review the facts sheet and prior convictions. Flag any disputes with the client.
Confirm plea
Confirm in writing the plea of guilty or not guilty. If guilty, confirm agreed facts.
Check bail status
Is bail in place, on report conditions, or at risk? Prepare for any bail application.
Prepare a brief request
If not guilty, request a full brief of evidence under s 187 and diary the return date.
Draft directions sought
Adjournment, brief service, referral to traffic offenders program or MERIT diversion.
Check for diversion options
Section 14 mental health diversion, MERIT, traffic offenders. Gather supporting material.
Prepare character references
If a plea is likely today, have character references and any rehab reports ready.
Confirm instructions on sentence
Walk through likely sentencing options and confirm the client's instructions on each.
Confirm client attendance
Confirm the client knows where to be and when. Check any interpreter or support needs.
Arrive early
Arrive at least 30 minutes early. Check the list, speak to prosecution and confirm orders sought.
When this checklist applies
Use this checklist for every Local Court mention — whether a first-up, brief return date or sentence mention.
Common pitfalls
- Not confirming the plea in writing before court
- Missing a bail risk at a mention listing
- Failing to request the brief under s 187 in time
- Arriving late with no time to speak to prosecution
- Forgetting to consider diversion options
Run this checklist on a real matter
Quillio drafts sentencing submissions, s 14 applications and character reference briefs in current NSW format. See /practice-areas/criminal-lawyers.
This checklist is a general guide. Adapt for table 1 and table 2 offences, AVO lists and bail-only mentions.
Use this checklist on your matter.
Quillio can run this checklist on a specific NSW conveyancing matter — confirm each item, calculate adjustments, and generate the supporting documents. The free trial requires no credit card.
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