1 Judges (or Magistrates) Bench
The Judge or Magistrate’s bench will always be at the front of the Courtroom. They can see everyone in the Courtroom, and everyone can see them. This helps them to clearly give instructions and talk to people in the Courtroom. They will have a microphone so that everyone can hear them when they speak. The Judge or Magistrate will come into the Courtroom through a door near their bench at the back of the Courtroom and the Bailiff will ask everyone in the Courtroom to stand when they enter or leave.
2 The Witness Stand
When a witness is called to give their evidence, they will come into the Courtroom through the main door and be shown a special seat to sit in, near the front of the Courtroom. The Bailiff will get them to swear an oath or affirmation that they will tell the truth and then they will be asked questions. There is a microphone so that they can be heard clearly, and they can see all the people speaking to them.
3 The Jury
The jury has a separate seating area which contains 12 seats. It will usually be on one side of the Courtroom. The jury enters and leaves the Courtroom through a separate door at the back when they are instructed to by the Judge. Their seating area will be in a place that allows them to see all the people speaking in the Court.
4 The Defence Lawyers
The Defence Lawyers sit on the left-hand side of the legal bench. This is usually in front of the public gallery and faces the Judge or Magistrate's Bench. In Magistrates Court there may only be one Lawyer but in the Supreme and District Courts there will be a Lawyer and a Defence Barrister. They stay behind the bench but will stand when talking.
5 The Prosecution Lawyers
The Prosecution Lawyers sit on the right-hand side of the legal bench. This might include a Police Prosecutor, a Lawyer and a Barrister depending on what Court it is.
6 The Defendant
Depending on the layout of the Courtroom and the type of court the Defendant may sit in a couple of different places. They may sit at the legal bench with the Defence Lawyers, or they may have a separate seating area that is just for them, called the dock.
7 The Public Gallery
There are seats at the rear of the Courtroom that is called the public gallery. This is where members of the public can sit. This includes your family, friends, and support persons and the family and friends of the Defendant. If the Judge or Magistrate decides to close the court all people in the public gallery must leave the Courtroom.
8 Other Court Staff
There are Judge's Associates, Clerks of the Court, and sometimes other Court staff that will be in the Courtroom. They will usually sit in front of the Judge or Magistrate on a table that faces into the Courtroom.
9 Bailiff
The layout of the Courtroom will determine where the Bailiff sits. It will usually be close to the Judge's bench and witness stand.