New South Wales Consolidated Acts

DISTRICT COURT ACT 1973 - SECT 199

199 Contempt

(1) In this section, "contemnor" means a person guilty or alleged to be guilty of contempt of court committed in the face of the Court or in the hearing of the Court.

(2) Where it is alleged, or appears to the Court on its own view, that a person is guilty of contempt of court committed in the face of the Court or in the hearing of the Court, the Court may:

(a) by oral order direct that the contemnor be brought before the Court, or

(b) issue a warrant for the arrest of the contemnor.

(3) Where the contemnor is brought before the Court, the Court shall:

(a) cause the contemnor to be informed orally of the contempt with which he or she is charged,

(b) require the contemnor to make his or her defence to the charge,

(c) after hearing the contemnor, determine the matter of the charge, and

(d) make an order for the punishment or discharge of the contemnor.

(4) The Court may, pending disposal of the charge:

(a) direct that the contemnor be kept in such custody as the Court may determine, or

(b) direct that the contemnor be released,

and such a direction is sufficient authority for the contemnor’s being kept in custody or released, as the case may be.

(5) The Court may give a direction under subsection (4) (b) on terms, which may include a requirement that the contemnor give security, in such sum as the Court directs, for his or her appearance in person to answer the charge.

(6) A warrant for the arrest or detention under this section of a contemnor shall be addressed to the Sheriff or a bailiff and may be issued under the hand of the Judge constituting the Court.

(7) The Court may punish contempt by a fine not exceeding 20 penalty units or by imprisonment for a period not exceeding 28 days.

(8) The Court may make an order for punishment on terms, including a suspension of punishment or a suspension of punishment in case the contemnor gives security in such manner and in such sum as the Court may approve for good behaviour and performs the terms of the security.