QLD's court system

High Court of Australia

Original: matters arising under the Constitution, conflicts between states and conflicts between Commonwealth and state/ territory laws. Appellate: from state and territory courts of appeal and decisions of Federal Courts on matters arising in states under federal law. All decisions are final and binding on all lower courts throughout Australia.

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Supreme Court Appeals

Hears appeals from the District and Supreme courts in criminal and civil matters

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Supreme Court Trials

Hears the most serious of indictable criminal matters such as murder. Holds unlimited civil jurisdiction.

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District Court of QLD

(Children’s court + Planning & environment)

Hears the majority of serious indictable criminal matters, such as sexual assault, as well as appeals from the Magistrate’s Court. Hears civil disputes between $150,000 and $750,000. Includes a Children's Court division for serious offences and the Planning and Environment Court.
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Magistrate’s Court of QLD (+Murri court)

(Children’s court {+Youth Murri court} + Coroners court + drug and alcohol court)

Hears most summary and minor indictable criminal matters, such as traffic offences and burglary, civil matters less than $150,000, minor family matters and some Commonwealth matters e.g. offences under the Customs Act 1901 (Cth). Includes Murri Court, the Children’s Court, Youth Murri Court, the Coroners Court and the Drug and Alcohol Court.