Trial by the dozen

Court swap ... Villawood trial in the Supreme Court heard in old Dizzo digs ... Interpreters and lawyers dig-in for the long haul ... Alix Piatek visits with her notebook 

Downing Centre: courtroom make-over

GREAT excitement as the Supreme Court of Riverview takes over court 3.2 at the Drowning Centre, a space previously occupied by the Dizzo. 

It has been refurbished so that the vast room can accommodate multiple-accused trials and space for a tag teams of 15 jurors. 

First-up to test the blond wood and computerised surrounds are 12 Villawood accused - asylum seekers and others in immigration detention who went on a redecorating rampage in 2011. 

It's a Commonwealth prosecution for riot and affray with NSW Legal Aid stumping-up some of the wherewithal for the 12 teams of lawyers. 

It seems to be proceeding at a grinding pace in front of Robert Shallcross Hulme and a jury of 12, fairly evenly divided between men and women in the 30 to 50 age range.  

The briefs are spread over two parallel bar tables and the 12 accused are tucked away in an open room behind a glass panel, from where they sit endeavouring to understand what is going on. 

When we visited, proceedings were moving at a snail's pace as an interpreter relayed the cross-examination in Tamil between a barrister and the witnesses.

At one point the air-conditioning failed and Shallcross allowed the briefs to de-wig and disrobe, at least down to their bar jackets.

He did require re-robing when the air started to flow again as well as insisting that one itchy-headed barrister put his top-piece back on when addressing the bench.

Those sitting furthest from HH are in an advantageous spot as they can fiddle with their tablets and phones without fear or favour. 

The Villawood trial is set down for 56 days. Greg Farmer SC and Jennifer Single are prosecuting.

Among the defendants' briefs we find Craig Smith, Mitchell Paish, John O'Sullivan, Richard Jankowski, David Price, Wayne Flynn, Richard Pontello, Dina Yehia, Doug Marr, Peter Little, Angus Webb and Luke Brasch.

Kirbside: neo classical horror

In exchange, former Supreme Court 6 at Kirby's Korner, Darlinghurst, is now home to a District Court venue.

No Swedish design influences can be detected. The musty air of a Victorian courtroom hangs oppressively. Lots of dark wood, an elevated bench, tall ceilings - all crafted to dwarf the hapless accused in the fearful majesty of the law.

Not a computer or air conditioning unit to blemish the nineteenth century atmos.

It feels a bit weird for the Supreme Court to be sitting at Mark Foys, but no more strange for the Dizzo to be down at Kirby's Korner. 

Maybe, it the way of the future. Courts and their dedicated rooms will be atomised in the same way old churches were given over to pancake parlours or expensive apartments.