Bail Conditions

When the police release you from custody, they may impose bail conditions that restrict your freedom. Understanding — and challenging — these conditions is a critical part of your defence.

What are bail conditions?

Bail conditions are restrictions the police or court place on your behaviour while an investigation or prosecution is ongoing. They are designed to ensure you attend any future hearings and do not interfere with the investigation.

Common bail conditions include

Curfews — being required to be at a specified address between certain hours
Residence — having to live at a named address
Non-contact — not contacting named individuals (witnesses, complainants, co-accused)
Exclusion zones — not entering specified areas
Surrender of passport — preventing international travel
Electronic tagging — in some cases ordered by a court

Can bail conditions be challenged?

Yes. If conditions are disproportionate, overly broad, or impose significant hardship, we can make representations to the police or apply to a magistrates’ court to have them varied or removed. We do this regularly and successfully.

What if I breach a bail condition?

Breaching bail is a criminal offence and you may be arrested. If you are at risk of breaching a condition — even inadvertently — contact us immediately so we can seek a variation before a breach occurs.

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