The High Court of Australia is the highest court in the Australian legal system. The High Court was established in 1901 by the Constitution of Australia. The functions of the High Court are to interpret and apply the laws of Australia, to determine cases of special federal significance (eg challenges to the constitutional validity of laws), and to hear appeals from Federal, State and Territory courts. The subject matter of the cases heard by the Hight Court covers the entire spectrum of Australian law including contract, copyright, criminal law, family law, injury law, insurance, property law and trade practices. Decisions of the High Court on appeals are final – there are no further appeals once a case has been decided by the High Court and the decision is binding on all other courts throughout Australia. Further information about the High Court is available on their
website.
The Federal Court of Australia is a superior court of record and a court of law and equity. The Federal Court of Australia was created by legislation and commenced operating in 1977. The Federal Court has jurisdiction conferred by over 150 statutes of Parliament. The Federal Court also has a substantial and diverse appellate jurisdiction hearing appeals from decisions of single judges of the Court and from the Federal Circuit Court of Australia (previously the Federal Magistrates Court) in non-family law matters. The Federal Court’s jurisdiction now covers almost all civil matters arising under Australian federal law and some summary and indictable criminal cases. The Federal Court also exercise general appellate jurisdiction for criminal and civil cases on appeal from the Supreme Court of Norfolk Island. Further information about the Federal Court of Australia is available from their
website.
The Supreme Court is the superior court of South Australia exercising original and appellate jurisdiction. The Supreme Court is a court of both law and equity and deals with the more important civil cases and most serious criminal cases. In its appellate jurisdiction it reviews and determines errors which may have made made in other South Australian courts. Further information about the Supreme Court is available from the Courts Administration Authority
website.
The District Court is the primary trial court in South Australia. The Court’s work covers four jurisdictions; civil, criminal, administrative and disciplinary division, and criminal injuries. The Court sits in Adelaide and conducts circuits at Mount Gambier, Port Augusta, Berri, Port Pirie, Whyalla and Port Lincoln. Further information about the District Court is available from the Courts Administration Authority
website.
The Magistrates Court of South Australia is the lowest level court in the state. and has a criminal and a civil jurisdiction. The criminal jurisdiction deals with summary offences which may be dealt with by a fine, imprisonment of up to two years, community service or a good behaviour bond. The civil jurisdiction hears cases seeking damages up to $100,000.00 and has a minor civil jurisdiction hearing cases up to $12,000.00. Further information about the Magistrates Court can be obtained from the Courts Administration
website.
The
Youth Court Act 1993 establishes the Youth Court as a court of criminal jurisdiction which has the same powers as the Magistrates Court. The Youth Court is however a court of criminal and civil jurisdiction with powers conferred pursuant to the
Young Offenders Act 1993, the
Bail Act 1985, and the
Children’s Protection Act 1993. The Youth Court may also make, vary or revoke a restraining order under the
Summary Procedure Act 1921 or an intervention order under the
Intervention Orders (Prevention of Abuse) Act 2009. Further information about the Youth Court is available from the Courts Administration Authority
website.
The South Australian Employment Tribunal (SAET) resolves workers compensation disputes between injured workers and their employers through agreement at a conference, conciliation or mediation, or through a decision of the Tribunal at a hearing. Cases brought to the SAET for resolution include disputes about workers compensation claims, undue delays in decisions on workers compensation claims, and disputes about an employer providing suitable employment for a worker who has been incapacitated for work as a consequence of a work injury. The SAET is located at the Riverside Centre Building on North Terrace, Adelaide which is between the Railway Station and the Adelaide Convention Centre. Further information about the SAET is available from its
website.
The South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT) is a state tribunal that assists people to resolve specific types of civil and administrative law disputes.
SACAT commenced on 30 March 2015 replacing work performed by the Guardianship Board, Residential Tenancies Tribunal and Housing Appeals Panel In addition, SACAT also has the responsibility for appeals previously made to the District Court on Guardianship Board and Residential Tenancies Tribunal matters, and land valuation appeals previously made to the Supreme Court. SACAT is located at Level 4, 100 Pirie Street, Adelaide and also Level 8, 85 North East Road, Collinswood. Further information about SACAT is available from their website.
