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Apply for a review of a Local Court decision

Information about asking for a review of a Local Court decision made by a registrar in your case.

If you are unhappy with a direction, order or action of the Registrar during your case, you may be able to apply within 28 days for a review by the Magistrate.

Before applying for a review, you should get legal advice.

You need to complete:

  • Form 20 – Notice of Motion
  • Form 40 – Affidavit.

You can do this:

  • online, via the NSW Online Registry, or
  • in writing.

You can get a copy of this form from:

You can file your completed form at the registry:

  • in person
  • by post
  • by fax
  • by email.

If you file your form by post, fax or email, it won’t be processed until you have paid the filing fee.

If you are experiencing financial hardship, you may be able to apply to have your fee postponed, waived or remitted.

You must serve a sealed copy of your Notice of Motion and Affidavit on the other party. You can do this by:

  • giving your documents to the other party in person, or
  • leaving your documents in the presence of the other party, or
  • arranging for the sheriff at the Court to serve your documents, or
  • arranging for a private process server to serve your documents.

At the hearing, the Court will first consider whether review the order or direction of the Registrar or dismiss the application.

If the Court decides to hear your application, you need to show the Court why it is in the interests of justice to vary or discharge the order or direction.

You don’t have to show that the Registrar made an error when they made the order or direction.

Interpreter 

If you need an interpreter at the review, you need to arrange this yourself.

Multicultural NSW provides interpreting and translation services for a fee. If you receive a pension or Centrelink benefit, or have a low income, you may be eligible to have the fee waived. For more information, see Language Services on the Multicultural NSW website.

If your review is successful, the cost of the interpreter may be included in the costs that the other party pays to you.

After hearing the review, the Court may:

  • confirm, vary or discharge the order or direction, or
  • take such other action as it thinks fit.

If your review is unsuccessful, you may be ordered to pay some of the other party’s legal costs.