Equity Court records

Since 1823 the Equity Jurisdiction has dealt with matters of fairness and the enforcing of rights not recognised at Common Law. It included the guardianship of children and their property.

The Equity Jurisdiction covers a wide range of subject matters including administration of estates, dissolution of partnerships, foreclosure of mortgages, execution of private or charitable trusts, and commercial and protective matters.

But how do you know when to search for an Equity case? This webinar explores records of the Equity Division of the Supreme Court, how to find them, and what they can tell you.

Surpreme Court building

Court of Criminal Jurisdiction guide

The establishment of a NSW Court of Criminal Jurisdiction was authorised by King George III, through the First Charter of Justice (Act 27 Geo.III c.2) 1787

Supreme Court of NSW

Criminal court records index 1788–1833

A valuable resource relating to the NSW colonial justice system and for research into criminals, convicts and crimes during the early years of the Colony

Gaol photo Frank Mountain. View in Collection Search

Criminal depositions (Deposition Books) index

Includes Quarter Session court lists for criminal cases that were not punishable by the death penalty. The index covers Country Quarter Sessions cases for the period 1849 to 1949, and Sydney Quarter Sessions cases for the period January 1839 to September 1921. Please note that not all case papers have survived.

Criminal indictments index 1863-1919

Includes criminal cases tried before the Supreme Court at Sydney and on the Circuit for the period 1863-1919. The Index records: trial number and where tried, name of defendant, offence, date of trial and Judge, verdict and sentence