1. The Court
Hierarchy
Sources of Contemporary
Australian Law

2.  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

3. State and Territory Courts
1. Lower Courts
2. Intermediate Courts
3. 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

4. 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

5. Federal Courts
 The federal court system has a hierarchy in
much the same way as the state court system
does.

6. Research the
jurisdictions of
the various state
and federal
courts, and
assemble them in
a flow chart

7. State/territory and federal court
hierarchy
High Court of Australia
Federal Superior Courts
Federal Court
of Australia
State Superior Courts
Supreme Court of
the ACT
Supreme Court
of NSW
Federal Specialist Courts
Family Court of
Australia
State Intermediate Courts
District Court of
NSW
Federal Lower Courts
Federal Magistrates'
Court of Australia
Territory Lower Courts
Magistrates' Court of ACT
Coroner's Court of ACT
Children's Court of ACT
State Lower Courts
Local Court of NSW
Coroner's Court of NSW
Children's Court of NSW