Going Through Security Upon arriving at a local court house, you will first go through security. You’ll be required to place your mobile phone, keys, and anything metal (which may include your belt and shoes) into a basket, which will go through a security scan as you walk through a metal detector. Finding the Notice Board After getting through security you must find the notice board which will have the court list on a wall. The court list outlines all the peoples’ names who’s matters are listed at court, the court room, number your case is listed as for identification and the time the court will commence. The online court list is also available on the website note earlier on this page. You must also attend the court officer who will be seated with a table nearby in the foyer area of the court complex, usually near the notice board. When you approach the court officer, you must tell him/her your full name, and whether or not you’re representing yourself or have a lawyer representing you. Your charge paper may tell you to be at court at 9am. When you attend court, the court list may say that your matter is listed at 9:30am. However, practically the Magistrate or Judge may not actually get around to hearing your case until anytime later than 9:30am. You should then either go inside the court room allocated for your case and take a seat or wait outside in the foyer of the court room door until your name is called by the court officer. If you fail to attend or you’re not there when your name gets called out, the Magistrate can deal with your case in your absence- this can cause complications with a bad result, or possibly even an arrest warrant issued against you. Entering the Court Room After getting through security, finding your court list and having approached the court officer to let them know you’re in attendance, you must then go to and enter the court room allocated to your case. Prior to entering the court room, you must: Turn off your mobile phone or put it on silent. Take off sunglasses (unless prescription glasses). Take off your hat. Do not take food or drinks with you inside the court room. Do not chew gum inside the court room. After you open the court room door, you must: Slightly Bow your head once towards the Judge, Magistrate or Registrar who will be seated a few meters opposite inside. Take a seat anywhere in the back of the court room and wait for your name to be called. When your name is called, and the Magistrate asks you to come forward, approach the bar table or the side of the bar table where there will usually be a microphone for you to speak into. Only answer questions asked, and wait till you are asked to respond or answer. Whenever being spoken to or speaking to the Magistrate or Judge in court, always stand up. After your case is complete for the day, wait for the Judge or Magistrate to excuse you before leaving the court room. When exiting the court room door to leave, you must face the Judge or Magistrate and bow your head once before leaving. It is important to have a pen and paper with you to take notes of orders the Judge or Magistrate makes in court for your case.