Queen Elizabeth at the opening of the High Court of Australia

Photography and recording

Photographs

The High Court permits members of the public to take photographs inside the Court building and courtrooms, and outside the building in the Court precinct, during non-sitting periods for private purposes.

A person shall not use a camera for commercial purposes within the building without the permission of the Chief Executive or a person authorised by the Chief Executive. If photographs are taken in public areas of the Court and precinct for commercial purposes, permission may be granted on the basis that the Court receives an unlimited irrevocable and worldwide licence to reproduce the images for the Court's purposes.

Photographs may not be taken in any sitting courtroom without the permission of the Justices of the Court. Permission may be granted on a case-by-case basis in exceptional circumstances, such as when a Justice retires and another is sworn in at a ceremonial sitting.

Audio and film recording – sitting courtrooms

Cameras, radios, pagers, tape players, tape recorders, mobile phones and any other electronic equipment are required to be surrendered at the door of a sitting courtroom, and a receipt is given. No audio recordings of proceedings are permitted by anyone other than Court staff. Transcripts of hearings are available within a day or two of most hearings, and where citations are referred to, the relevant extracts are included in the transcript.

On rare occasions, the Court permits film crews to film the commencement of a sitting, i.e. the arrival of the Justices and them sitting at the bench, the Court staff positioned in the Court, and the barristers and solicitors at their tables in the courtroom. Permission may be granted on condition that the footage is shared with other television networks and a copy given to the Court with an unlimited irrevocable worldwide licence to use the footage.

Audio and film recording - public areas of the Court and precinct other than sitting courtrooms

The High Court considers request for commercial and private filming inside the public areas of the Court on a case by case basis. No filming for commercial purposes may occur within the building without the permission of the Chief Executive or a person authorised by the Chief Executive.

The Court permits filming and photography in the precinct outside the building provided the footage or images are not intended to be used for extremist or unlawful purposes.

Audio and film recording – private areas of the Court building

It is up to individual Justices as to whether filming may occur in their chambers.

Filming is not permitted in other private areas of the Court for security reasons.