This year, 74% of matters were resolved early, either finalised in the Local Court or committed for sentence to a higher court. This is an increase on last year.

This year, 88% of matters in the District and Supreme Courts resolved in a finding of guilt, either by a plea of guilty or verdict of guilty. This is consistent with conviction rates for the previous five years.

A total of 5,432 committal hearings were completed in the Local Court this year.

A total of 1,116 trials were completed in the District Court this year.

A total of 1,700 committals for sentence were completed in the District Court this year.

A total of 40 trials were completed in the Supreme Court this year.

Super Callovers are a District Court initiative to facilitate appropriate pleas of guilty being entered before a trial begins. A Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions and appointed Public Defenders review the matters, take instructions and engage in discussions to either resolve matters or attempt to narrow issues, with matters listed before a designated District Court Judge.

Super Callovers result in matters being resolved earlier, resources being saved and trial dates being freed up to list other matters, helping to reduce the backlog of trials. 

The ODPP’s Witness Assistance Service continued to provide its vital services to 2,603 new complainants, victims and witnesses and was working with 7,787 active referrals at the end of the year.

The ODPP NSW-led initiative provided an innovative platform for First Nations staff across Australia to connect, share experiences, celebrate achievements, and discuss strategies to advance cultural inclusion, co-design, and advocacy within the legal landscape. This event demonstrated the ODPP NSW’s commitment to empowering First Nations employees and ensuring their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives are valued and embedded into the fabric of the ODPP and the broader legal system.

Over two days, First Nations staff engaged with esteemed leaders, including Sally Dowling SC, Director of ODPP NSW; Justice Louise Taylor, Supreme Court of the ACT (virtually); Avelina Tarrago, former CDPP Crown and current Queensland Law Reform Commissioner; Superintendent Greg Moore, NSW Police; Aunty Barbara O’Neill, Walama List Elder; Judge Beckett, District Court of NSW; and Judge Hunt, District Court of NSW (virtually).

Justice Taylor and Ms Tarrago emphasised the importance of staying connected to kin, Country, and culture in community advocacy. Superintendent Moore, Aunty Barbara, Judge Beckett, and Judge Hunt highlighted the significance of co-designing programs that prioritise First Nations voices and address the needs of First Nations communities.

The ODPP’s First Nations Legal Mentoring Program, which supports the recruitment, retention and professional development of First Nations lawyers, is now in its second year. Due to increased interest, it was expanded this year to 10 mentor/mentee pairings. The program is open to First Nations lawyers and barristers throughout NSW, as well as to students undertaking a Bachelor or Master of Laws or Diploma in Law. ODPP staff are encouraged to apply.

The program matches mentees with experienced Crown Prosecutors, providing opportunities to learn and develop as legal professionals, as well as giving them a forum to explore other facets of legal practice including wellbeing, work-life balance, time management, court expectations, networking, career progression and culturally specific matters.

The program is another initiative directed towards the ODPP’s goal of becoming an employer of choice for First Nations people. The ODPP is looking forward to uplifting this program in 2025.