Representing yourself (sexual violence case management pilot)

Key terms:

If you’ve been charged with a criminal offence, you are called the ‘Defendant’. If you don’t have a lawyer or choose to represent yourself, you are a ‘Self-Represented Defendant’.

If the charges are in the Brisbane or Ipswich District Court and involve a sexual violence (SV) offence, the case will be included in the ‘Sexual Violence List.’ This means the court will manage the case more closely, providing extra oversight and support to help move SV cases forward and reduce delays.

Before going to court

The Prosecutor will give you a hard copy of the Case Management Form (PDF, 364.9 KB) to read and complete. You can also fill out the form online.

Key steps in the court process

1. Indictment presentation

When your case is first announced in the District Court, the Prosecution will present an indictment to the Judge. This document lists your name and the charges against you.

If you are contesting (fighting) the charges, the judge will list the matter for a Case Review Hearing four weeks from the first court date. If you choose to plead guilty, the matter will be listed for sentence.

Action:

Complete Part 5 of the ‘Self-Represented Defendant: Case Management Form’ before attending the Case Review Hearing.

2. Case Review Hearing

The Case Review Hearing is your chance to tell the Court what you need to prepare for the trial. At this hearing:

  • the Court will schedule the trial date and other court events (eg Pre-trial Hearings, Pre-record hearing (if applicable), Trial Readiness Hearing and Trial Review)
  • you can make applications to the Court to prepare for the trial
  • the Court will ask if you wish to cross-examine (question) the complainant when they give their evidence
  • if you want to cross-examine the complainant the Court will make an Order for a lawyer to do this on your behalf as required by law.

3. Pre-trial Hearings

Pre-trial Hearings enable the Court to consider applications made in the case by you or the Prosecution on issues of law.

These may include:

  • accessing certain information
  • pausing the case
  • excluding certain evidence.

There may be multiple Pre-trial Hearings before your trial.

4. Directions Hearings

A Directions Hearing is a type of Pre-trial Hearing and it decides how witnesses will give evidence and be cross-examined. They are held before a Pre-recording of Evidence Hearing (if needed), as the outcome or decision can affect how evidence is obtained.

5. Pre-recording of evidence

Special witnesses, like children, may give evidence via a video link in another room. This is recorded and played back during the trial.

You must attend the Pre-recording of Evidence Hearing, where a Court-appointed lawyer will cross-examine the complainant or special witness for you.

Action:

Complete Part 5 of the ‘Self-Represented Defendant: Case Management Form’ before attending the Trial Readiness Hearing.

6. Trial Readiness Hearing

The Trail Readiness Hearing takes place three months before the trial. It ensures all pre-trial issues are resolved.

7. Trial Review

This is the final hearing before the trial. It confirms how witnesses will give evidence and be cross-examined.

8. Trial

The trial is the final step in the process. Guides to preparing for a trial are available from:

More information

Contact us

For specific enquiries about SV matters listed in Brisbane and Ipswich email:

Resources