Consolidated practice directions

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1. 
The procedure set out in this Practice Direction applies to both the 
Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court and the Supreme Court. It does 
not apply to the Court of Appeal.
2. 
In the ordinary course, accused are required to answer their bail at the 
Court venue specified in their bail documents.
3. 
However, where an accused is required to appear for a hearing other 
than a trial or sentencing, and that appearance requires significant 
travel, a legal practitioner acting for the accused may apply to the 
Court for approval for the accused to answer bail at an alternative 
venue in accord with procedures set out below. 
4. 
The proposed alternative venue is to be either the courthouse at one of 
the localities listed in par 11 or, if the locality is not listed, at the local 
police station. The Court will not ordinarily allow an accused to 
remotely report at another venue in the metropolitan area.
5. 
At least two (2) clear working days prior to the hearing, the legal 
practitioner must contact the relevant Associate and advise the 
Associate of the name of the accused and the phone number and email 
address for the venue at which it is proposed the accused will appear.
The Associate will notify the legal practitioner in writing (usually by 
email) whether the presiding judicial officer approves of the request. If 
the request is approved, the Associate will contact the relevant 
courthouse or police station and provide a form which the accused is 
to sign when he or she reports, and which will then be emailed (or 
faxed) to the Court on the day of the hearing.
6. 
The accused is to report by 8.45 am on the date of the hearing at the 
pre-arranged alternative venue. The purpose of requiring the accused 
to attend at 8.45 am is so that the relevant courthouse or police station 
can email confirmation that the accused has reported to the Associate 
by 9.15 am on the day of the hearing.
7. 
The legal practitioner acting for the accused is to advise the accused in 
writing where, to whom, and by when they are to report on the day of 
the mention hearing.

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5. General Division - Criminal 
 
PD 5.10 
Supreme Court of Western Australia 
Consolidated Practice Direction
8. 
Immediately prior to the hearing, counsel appearing (or their 
instructor) is to phone the relevant courthouse or police station to 
confirm that the accused has reported and that the confirmation email 
(or fax) has been sent.
9. 
When the matter is called, counsel appearing will be requested to 
confirm that the requirements in pars 7 and 8 have been complied 
with.
10. 
In the event that written confirmation of the accused's attendance is 
not received by 10.00 am, leave will be given for the issue of a bench 
warrant unless the presiding judicial officer decides that it is not just to 
do so.
11. 
The courthouse venues at which the Court will ordinarily allow an 
accused to report to are: 
 
Albany 
Broome
Bunbury
Busselton
Carnarvon
Collie
Coolgardie
Derby
Esperance
Geraldton
Kalgoorlie
Karratha
Katanning
Kununurra
Leonora
Mandurah
Manjimup
Marble Bar
Meekatharra
Merredin
Moora
Mt Magnet
Narrogin
Norseman
Northam
Roebourne
South Hedland 
Southern Cross 

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5. General Division - Criminal 
 
Supreme Court of Western Australia 
Consolidated Practice Direction
5.11
Victim Impact Statements