Hamilton police Sergeant Paul Stanhope said the sitting of the Hamilton Magistrates Court was interrupted at 10.40am on Wednesday when two middle-aged men were extremely abusive towards each other.

Police officers inside the court and a mobile divisional unit converged outside the building after the men began yelling offensively at each other.

Sergeant Stanhope said it had been alleged that one man allegedly tipped a container of coffee into the lap of another man before before they became involved in the screaming match.

He said it was disgraceful the men, aged 48 and 41 years, acted in such a manner.

"To behave in this way outside a courthouse is completely unacceptable. They are at an age where they should have known better," he said.

"Courts are places where emotions can run high. Children, ex-partners and other people in conflict and under stress attend courts. But everyone needs to behave in an appropriate manner or face the consequences."

Sergeant Stanhope said police were investigating laying charges which could include behaving in a riotous manner and offensive behaviour in a public place.