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Supreme Court of New South Wales
Joint Law Courts Building
Information alert
184 Philip Street, Sydney
Also referred to as "Queens Square", the Supreme Court's registry is located on level 5 of this building. The subpoena drop off and courier delivery area, and the file inspection and document viewing room are also located on level 5. Courtrooms are located through levels 7 to level 13. You can enter the building from Phillip Street, or Macquarie Street.
Location
Transport and parking
For Supreme Court, Wentworth Chambers, Hospital Road Court Complex, King Street Courts, St James Road Court
A bus route to the city, Town Hall, Circular Quay or Wynyard will provide convenient access to all of these locations. Martin Place and St James train stations provide the closest rail access.
There are parking stations available in Elizabeth and Macquarie Streets and on St Mary's Road.
Designated parking for people with disabilities is located:
- on Macquarie Street (3 car spaces, no time limit) and opposite the Sydney Eye Hospital
- in Phillip Street (2 spaces outside Wentworth Chambers, 8 am to 6 pm Monday to Friday) and next to the ramp entry to the Law Courts Building.
Other parking station/areas for disabled parking near to Queens Square are:
- Theatre Royal, MLC Centre, 120 King Street
- Chifley Tower, 2 Chifley Tower, Hunter Street
- the Domain, Sir John Young Crescent
- rear of Sydney Eye Hospital, Hospital Road
- Shakespeare Place, off Hospital Road, outside Mitchell library (4 spaces).
History
More than 40 years ago the State Government undertook the construction of a new home for the Supreme Court of New South Wales. The site chosen was in the heart of the traditional legal precinct of Sydney: Queen's Square.
The site — at the corner of King and Macquarie Streets — was formerly occupied by the Crown Law Offices and Queen's Club building which then housed the NSW Department of the Attorney-General and of Justice.
The Government decided that the Supreme Court should be accommodated in a modern court house, under one roof instead of being spread, as it was, through a series of separate buildings, ill-fitted to the work and the dignity of the Court.
The concept involved the closure of the eastern tip of King Street between Phillip and Macquarie Streets to form a paved pedestrian concourse linking the Supreme Court site with the island block on which stands St James' Church and the old Supreme Court.
The closure of King Street created a link that was more than symbolic. Together with the construction of a pedestrian tunnel under St James' Road it has meant a smoother flow for both vehicular and pedestrian traffic through what was once a highly congested area.
The first major refurbishment of Law Courts Building since its opening in 1977 was completed in April 2013.
Further information about the Law Courts Building can be found on the Law Courts Limited website.
Last updated:
21 Oct 2023
We acknowledge the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which we work and we pay respect to the Elders, past, present and future.