Magistrates Court of the Australian Capital Territory
| Magistrates Court of the Australian Capital Territory | |
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The Magistrates Court Building located in Civic, Canberra, completed in 1996.
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| Established |
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| Jurisdiction | |
| Location | London Circuit at Civic, Canberra |
| Composition method | Executive appointment following advice of the Attorney-General |
| Authorized by | Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly via the Magistrates Court Act 1930 (ACT) |
| Decisions are appealed to | Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory |
| Judge term length | Magistrates must retire at 65 years of age |
| Website | www |
| Chief Magistrate | |
| Currently | Lorraine Walker |
| Since | 13 October 2011 |
The Magistrates Court of the Australian Capital Territory is a court of summary jurisdiction that deals with the majority of less serious criminal law matters and the majority of small civil law matters in the Australian Capital Territory and the Jervis Bay Territory.
The current Chief Magistrate is Lorraine Walker, appointed with effect from 13 October 2013. Seven magistrates assist the Chief Magistrate in hearing matters before the Court.
The court is located on Knowles Place near London Circuit at Civic, in Canberra, the capital city of Australia; in a special purpose building that was opened in 1996, having previously occupied the older building next door to it which is now occupied by the Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory.
The jurisdiction of the ACT Magistrates Court encompasses the entirety of the Australian Capital Territory and the Jervis Bay Territory. Under the Jervis Bay Acceptance Act 1915 (Cth), the laws of the Australian Capital Territory apply in that particular area. Magistrates from the ACT travel to Jervis Bay Village on a regular basis to hold court for the region.
The ACT Magistrates Court is established under, and has jurisdiction under, the Magistrates Court Act 1930 (ACT). It has a summary jurisdiction to deal with most criminal offences other than serious criminal matters such as murder and sexual assaults.
It also has jurisdiction to hear civil cases that are between $10,000 and $250,000 in value, although it cannot hear cases in which the title to land is in dispute. Any amount in dispute under $10,000 is dealt with by the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
The court is constituted by either magistrates or special magistrates. Generally, magistrates sit alone. A special magistrates may also constitute the court. Magistrates and special magistrates are appointed by the executive. Magistrates must retire at 65 years of age, whilst special magistrates must retire at 70 years of age. The executive must also appoint a Chief Magistrate. The chief magistrate is responsible for the prompt discharge of the court’s business, and may in consultation with a magistrate, decide the types of cases which a magistrate will hear.
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Wikipedia