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District Court at Central
District Court at Central
A purpose-built police court by Australia’s last Colonial Architect
About the building
The District Court at Central (previously known as Central Local Court, Central Police Courts and Police Law Courts) was designed in the Federation Free Classical style by James Barnet, the last Colonial Architect, with construction supervised by Walter Liberty Vernon, the first Government Architect. The building was the first purpose-built police court and the first Petty Sessions Court within the NSW justice system.
The highly decorated public building has a grand entrance staircase and carved sandstone details, including a coat of arms, which communicates the authoritative status of the legal system in the late 19th century. Much of the internal timber joinery and furniture remain intact.
The building has four courtrooms, a court registry, meeting rooms, and space for victims and witnesses attending court. Corrective Services manages the holding cells at the rear of the premises. Recent renovations added child-friendly facilities to support the court’s commitment to innovative justice programs, which include its specialist initiatives designed to support Indigenous defendants and child witnesses in sensitive cases. Some of the cell walls feature colourful artworks commissioned as part of the renovations.
Talks & Tours
Holding cell tours at the District Court
Visitors to the District Court at Central can join informal tours of the cells. This is a guided experience that will be running from 10am–3pm.
Time: All Day
Building info
Built
1892
Architect
James Barnet and Walter Liberty Vernon
District Court at Central
98 Liverpool Street, Sydney
Entry details
Visitors will be able to access the court complex, as well as the cells which are not normally open to the public
10am–5pm
4.45pm
Talks, tours and more
Need to know
Lines expectedToilets availableAccessible toilets
Photography restrictedPhotography not allowed
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