The Court HierarchySources of Contemporary Australian Law

Australia has two levels of law: state and federal.

All courts have the power to hear a case for the first time

Some courts can also hear appeals from lower courts

State and Territory Courts1. Lower Courts2. Intermediate Courts3. Superior Courts

Minor matters are dealt with lower in the court hierarchy; higher courts are reserved for serious matters and appeals from the lower court

Criminal Cases Minor offences, like loitering and

obstructing traffic, are called summary offences – they are dealt with in lower courts

More serious criminal offences, like assault and murder, are called indictable offences – they are dealt with in the higher courts

Federal Courts The federal court system has a

hierarchy in much the same way as the state court system does.

Research the jurisdictions of

the various state and

federal courts, and assemble them in a flow

chart

State/territory and federal court hierarchy