This chapter provides some basic information and advice for people who are required to attend a court or tribunal, for a hearing of a dispute to which they are a party.

If you are one of the parties, you have a choice as to whether you will appear "in person" and present your own case (referred to here as "self-representation") or engage a lawyer to represent you (see: Chapter 2*2 Legal Representation). In certain circumstances it may be possible for you not to attend court at all. You should seek legal advice before choosing to exercise this option. You may be disadvantaged if you do not attend.

In some civil and criminal cases where there is either family violence or sexual offences involved, you may not be allowed to self represent because certain witnesses can be considered to be 'protected' - meaning only a lawyer who has no relationship with the witness will be allowed to question them in court. The court may say that you have to have a lawyer to question (cross examine) them on your behalf. For this reason it is absolutely essential to get legal advice early in these types of cases.