Chief Justice's Rare NSW Bail Statement Shines Light on Remand Crisis

The latest NSW bail statement has significant implications. The Chief Justice of New South Wales, the Hon. Andrew Bell, has issued a compelling statement on bail. This is a development that could be pivotal for those currently on remand or considering a bail application in NSW.

As of March 2025, there were more than 5,700 people held in prison on remand in NSW, up 20% over the past five years. As a result of these numbers, the Chief Justice has spotlighted the serious individual and systemic costs of unnecessary pre-trial detention. These include the financial cost to taxpayers (over $600 million annually) and the human cost to those later found not guilty or sentenced to time served. The NSW Bail Statement is an important reference to this rising issue.