News

On Wednesday 30 April 2025, the Annual Faith Service for the Legal Profession and the Judiciary will take place at St John’s Anglican Cathedral, 373 Ann Street, Brisbane City commencing at 9.30am.

This service is an inclusive opportunity for faith organisations to show support for judicial officers and lawyers, for judicial officers and lawyers who wish to participate to take the opportunity for reflection and renewal, and for engagement with the community.

The service will be followed by morning tea in the Church precinct.

All members of the public are welcome to attend.

Queensland Courts and Tribunals are committed to advancing digital technologies and enhancing their services through digitisation.

As part of that commitment, from Monday, 30 June 2025, the Queensland Courts and Tribunals Online Services Portal (OSP) will be expanded to include eLodgements for civil claims in the Brisbane Supreme Court.

This will enable legal practitioners to prepare and lodge a Form 2 Claim (and supporting documents) via the OSP for the duration of a claim proceeding.

What’s changing?

From 30 June 2025, the Queensland Courts and Tribunals Online Services Portal will be expanded to include the ability for legal practitioners to prepare and lodge initiating and non-initiating documents relating to Brisbane civil claim proceedings for the duration of a claim proceeding.

Practitioners will also be able to register and lodge documents via the Online Services Portal for civil claim matters which commenced prior to 30 June 2025, regardless of whether the claim was initiated over the counter or by mail.

Practitioners will receive an email confirming lodgement of their materials with a temporary reference number. They can then view lodged materials via the Supreme Court Claims dashboard on the OSP.

Documents lodged electronically after normal Brisbane Supreme Court registry business hours (8:30am – 4:30pm) will be filed the next business day.

Processes for urgent after hours filing remain unchanged.

Documents lodged via the OSP but intended for another jurisdiction or court location outside of Brisbane Supreme Court will not be actioned by the Brisbane Supreme Court registry.

eLodgement capability for all civil originating processes and appeals in Queensland, for all court users, will follow in June 2026 as part of the new civil case management system.

What this means for you?

From Monday, 30 June 2025 legal practitioners will have the ability to electronically lodge civil claims for the Brisbane Supreme Court or continue to lodge them either over the registry counter or via mail.

You will need a Digital Identity (MyID or QDI) to log into the OSP, which verifies who you are.

Training and support resources including two webinars will be advertised shortly through the Queensland Law Society Proctor. We recommend attending to help facilitate a smooth transition to the eLodgement service.

The Chief Judge has released Planning and Environment Court Practice Direction 3 of 2025 (PDF, 120.0 KB) which provides additional case management procedures for the just and expeditious resolution of merits appeals about residential uses and/or subdivision of land for residential purposes in the Brisbane registry of the Court.

Your law library’s latest legal heritage display showcases our series of historic catalogues and indexes, now officially recognised as a rich and significant documentary heritage by UNESCO's Australian Memory of the World program.

Weekdays, 8.30am to 4.30pm
SCLQ, Level 12, QEII Courts of Law
Free entry
www.sclqld.org.au/unesco-series

Queensland Digital Identity (QDI) is replacing the QGov, that is used to log in to Queensland online services.

What’s changing?

From Sunday 6 April 2025, when you log in to Queensland Government online services using a QGov account, you will be using a Queensland Digital Identity (QDI) instead.

Your account will automatically change to a QDI account.

On your next log in after this date, you will be required to setup multi-factor authentication (MFA) as additional security for your account. Each time you use your QDI email address and password to log in, you will receive a code to your mobile device.

QDI will be used to access Queensland Courts and Tribunal systems such as:

• QCase,
• QTranscripts,
• DFV Live List,
• Legal Practitioner Portal (Registry Committals) and the
• Queensland Courts and Tribunals Online Services Portal (Wills and Estates).

What this means for you

Do not close any QGov accounts that you currently use for Queensland Courts and Tribunals systems

If you close your QGov accounts you will lose access to case information or data that you may have accessed with each QGov account you have.

We will continue to provide updates via the Queensland Courts Website.

The Chief Judge has issued Planning and Environment Court Practice Direction 2 of 2025 (PDF, 13.0 KB) closing the Southport registry on Wednesday 12 March 2025 to and including Friday 14 March 2025.

The Chief Magistrate has issued Magistrates Court Practice Direction 9 of 2025 (PDF, 69.7 KB) closing Southport Magistrates Court registry on Wednesday 12 March 2025 to and including Friday 14 March 2025.

The Chief Judge has issued District Court Practice Direction 6 of 2025 closing Southport District Court registry on Wednesday 12 March 2025 to and including Friday 14 March 2025.

The Chief Magistrate has issued Magistrates Court Practice Direction 8 of 2025 (PDF, 94.1 KB) closing specified registries on Tuesday 11 March 2025. Please refer to Annexure A on page 2 of the Practice Direction for these locations.

The Chief Judge has issued District Court Practice Direction 5 of 2025 (PDF, 13.0 KB) closing Hervey Bay registry on Monday 10 March 2025.

The Chief Magistrate has issued Magistrates Court Practice Direction 7 of 2025 (PDF, 89.5 KB) closing specified registries on Monday 10 March 2025. Please refer to Annexure A on page 2 of the Practice Direction for these locations.

Due to Tropical Cyclone Alfred, the Brisbane library will be closed Thursday 6 and Friday 7 March, in line with Supreme Court Practice Direction 3 of 2025 (PDF, 131.7 KB) issued Wednesday 5 March.

Please note the entire QEII Courts of Law building will be closed. There will be no access to the building at any time after 4.30pm today (Wednesday 5 March), including for those customers with after-hours access to the library.

Where possible, we will continue to provide limited services online during business hours. However, we trust you will understand that this may not be possible in the circumstances.

We will continue to monitor the situation over the weekend and provide a further update as soon as possible as to whether we will reopen next week.

We appreciate your patience and understanding.

The President of the Land Court of Queensland has issued Practice Direction 2 of 2025 (PDF, 164.9 KB) regarding the temporary closure of the Land Court Registry on Thursday 6 and Friday 7 March 2025.

The Chief Judge has issued Planning and Environment Court Practice Direction 1 of 2025 (PDF, 38.8 KB) in relation to the temporary closure of Brisbane, Ipswich, Beenleigh, Maroochydore, Gympie and Southport District Court registries on Thursday 6 March and Friday 7 March 2025.

The Chief Magistrate has issued Magistrates Court Practice Direction 6 of 2025 (PDF, 91.8 KB) closing specified registries on the 6 and 7 March 2025. Please refer to Annexure A on page 2 of the Practice Direction for these locations.

The Chief Judge has issued District Court Practice Direction 3 of 2025 (PDF, 41.5 KB) and 4 of 2025 (PDF, 34.2 KB) in relation to the temporary closure of Brisbane, Ipswich, Beenleigh and Southport District Court registries on Thursday 6 March and Friday 7 March 2025.

The Chief Justice has issued Supreme Court Practice Direction 3 of 2025 (PDF, 131.7 KB) in relation to the temporary closure of Brisbane Supreme Court registry on Thursday 6 March and Friday 7 March 2025.

Free exhibition—open to the public
3 February 2025 to 31 December 2026
Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm
Sir Harry Gibbs Legal Heritage Centre
Ground floor, Queen Elizabeth II Courts of Law

We, the jury explores the different aspects of jury service, how it allows an individual to exercise their representative democratic rights and contribute directly to the delivery of justice.

The display provides details around jury service, the jury system and highlights a case study of women’s journeys to greater equality in this civic forum for the past 100 years. It also encourages visitors to consider the future of representation and democracy for jury systems and how it could further accommodate diversity, specifically around representation for First Nations people and people living with a disability.

Magistrates Court Practice Direction 8 of 2017 (PDF, 161.7 KB) regarding Court Link has been amended.

Practice Direction 5 of 2025 (PDF, 74.9 KB) has been issued by the Chief Magistrate, and details the conduct of matters in the Court Link list in the Brisbane Magistrates Court from 21 February 2025.

Queensland Courts’ Sexual Offence Expert Evidence Panel pilot is now accepting referrals in specified courts in Brisbane and Townsville in response to recommendations from the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce’s Hear her voice: Report 2 and recent legislative changes to introduce affirmative consent.

Initially Panel experts will be provided, at the request of a party, to give evidence as to the defendant’s cognitive or mental health impairment and its impact on a defendant’s ability to say or do something to affirm consent in the context of the mistake of fact defence.

Panel experts will be provided for sexual offence proceedings in the Brisbane and the Townsville Supreme and District Courts.

Practitioners can refer to the recorded information session held in Brisbane’s Banco Court on Wednesday 22 January 2025, in which His Honour Judge Michael Byrne KC was the guest speaker.

The Panel’s Program Team will hold a further information session for North Queensland practitioners and interested stakeholders, introduced by His Honour Judge John Coker, at the Townsville Supreme and District Courts at 4.00pm on Wednesday 19 February 2025. Book now to attend online or in person.

Detailed information about the Sexual Offence Expert Evidence Panel, including a referral form, is available on the Panel’s webpage.

The Chief Magistrate has issued Practice Direction 4 of 2025 (PDF, 37.4 KB) which designates the 2025/2026 court holiday closure period from 25 December 2025 to 2 January 2026.

The Townsville Magistrates Court will be closed on Monday 3 February 2025. Please refer to Magistrates Court Practice Direction 2 of 2025 (PDF, 69.2 KB), as well as the Severe weather arrangements (PDF, 39.9 KB) for Townsville Magistrates Court.

The Townsville Magistrates Court will be closed on Tuesday 4 February 2025. Please refer to Magistrates Court Practice Direction 3 of 2025 (PDF, 40.6 KB), as well as the Severe weather arrangements (PDF, 39.9 KB) for Townsville Magistrates Court.

The A/ Chief Justice has issued Supreme Court Practice Direction 2 of 2025 (PDF, 52.0 KB) in relation to the temporary closure of Townsville District Court registry on Tuesday 4 and Wednesday 5 February 2025.

The Chief Judge has issued District Court Practice Direction 1 of 2025 (PDF, 118.3 KB) in relation to the temporary closure of Townsville District Court registry on Monday 3 February.

The Chief Judge has issued District Court Practice Direction 2 of 2025 (PDF, 49.4 KB) in relation to the temporary closure of Townsville District Court registry on Tuesday 4 and Wednesday 5 February 2025.

The A/ Chief Justice has issued Supreme Court Practice Direction 1 of 2025 (PDF, 111.8 KB) in relation to the temporary closure of Townsville District Court registry on Monday 3 February.

Queensland Courts is piloting a Sexual Offence Expert Evidence Panel (the Panel) in Brisbane and Townsville to allow experts to give relevant evidence in sexual violence proceedings.

The Panel will commence accepting incoming referrals for Stream 1 from 3 February 2025.

To support practitioners in preparing for implementation, an information session was held with guest speaker His Honour Judge Michael Byrne KC on 21 January 2025 in Brisbane. Watch this seminar.

Read more about the Sexual Offence Expert Evidence Panel.

Magistrates Court Practice Direction 1 of 2025 (PDF, 352.1 KB) applies to all summary proceedings under the Justices Act 1886 for a Domestic Violence Offence in the Brisbane Magistrates Court.

From 24 January a summary callover list ("Summary DV List") will manage all summary DV offences in the Brisbane Magistrates Court.

We are pleased to announce two of the three lectures for our 2025 Selden Society lecture series—an informative and insightful program with thanks to our esteemed guest speakers.

• Thursday 8 May: Recasting the law on a more merciful basis: Juvenile justice then and now, presented by Dr Robyn Blewer (Griffith Law School)
• Thursday 16 October: The origins of contemporary judicial power in Papua New Guinea, presented by the Hon Justice John Logan RFD (Federal Court of Australia)

A third lecture is planned, and we will share details at www.sclqld.org.au/selden as soon as they are confirmed.

All lectures will be held in the Banco Court, Queen Elizabeth II Courts of Law, 415 George Street, Brisbane, with a livestream option for remote viewing. Registrations typically open four weeks before each lecture.

The Acting Chief Magistrate has released Practice Direction 11 of 2024 (PDF, 281.2 KB) which establishes a Sexual Assault Offence Callover in the Brisbane Magistrates Court to effectively case manage and facilitate procedural consistency in sexual assault cases.

The Acting Chief Magistrate has released Practice Direction 10 of 2024 (PDF, 269.6 KB) which establishes a DNA Affected Case Callover for cases in the Brisbane and surrounding areas only.

A/Chief Magistrate Gett has issued Practice Direction 2 of 2024 (PDF, 305.4 KB) which repeals 1 of 2024 regarding amendments made to section 20 of the Childrens Court Act 1992 ("the Act") by section 112 of the Queensland Community Safety Act 2024.

Effective immediately, payments by way of American Express (Amex) will no longer be accepted at Queensland Courts registries. This change results from the Queensland Government’s recently concluded banking procurement process and aligns with the new whole-of-government banking services contracts.

The Queensland Government Banking Services (QGBS) Procurement Project, initiated in late 2021, has delivered new contractual arrangements for the State's banking services.

This whole-of-government decision means that customers will no longer be able to use Amex for payments at Queensland Courts. All affected systems are being updated to reflect this change.

The Chief Judge has issued District Court Practice Direction 5 of 2024 (PDF, 31.3 KB) which details the designation of holidays for District Court registries from 27 December 2024 to 3 January 2025.

The Chief Magistrate has issued Practice Direction 9 of 2024 (PDF, 85.8 KB) regarding the reopening  of the Mossman Magistrates Court Registry. This repeals Practice Direction 13 of 2023 and Practice Direction 3 of 2024.

The Chief Judge has issued Practice Direction 4 of 2024 (PDF, 47.6 KB) regarding the temporary closure of Beenleigh District Court on the 9 October 2024.

The Chief Magistrate has issued Practice Direction 8 of 2024 (PDF, 79.1 KB) regarding the temporary closure of Beenleigh Magistrates Court on the 9 October 2024.

During October and November 2024, the Queensland Court of Appeal will undertake its sixth judicial exchange with the Western Australian Court of Appeal and its second exchange with the South Australian Court of Appeal.

From 8 to 18 October inclusive Justice Vaughan of the Western Australia Court of Appeal will act as a Judge of Appeal in Queensland, whilst Justice Dalton of the Court of Appeal of Queensland will sit on appellate matters in Western Australia.

From 11 to 15 November inclusive Justice Doyle of the South Australian Court of Appeal will act as a Judge of Appeal in Queensland, whilst Justice Bond of the Court of Appeal of Queensland will sit on appellate matters in South Australia.

The Supreme Court of Queensland’s Judicial Exchange Program commenced in 2019 as an opportunity for appellate judges to examine practices for listing, managing and hearing appeals in other State jurisdictions through firsthand experience of sitting in those jurisdictions and also sitting with judges from other jurisdictions in Queensland.

It is a practical means for professional development of appellate judges, as well as improving efficiencies in the administration of the appellate jurisdiction, to the benefit of the courts involved in the exchange, court users and the community more broadly.

Magistrates Court Practice Direction 3 of 2021 (PDF, 217.9 KB) regarding Protected Counselling Communications has been amended.

The forms under the Property Law Act of 2023 have been approved for use from 1 August 2025 and are available on the Forms page.

The Forms are as follows:

• Form 1 - Notice of default under instalment contract
• Form 2 - Seller disclosure statement
• Form 3 - Notice of exercise of power of sale
• Form 4 - Notice of intention to exercise power of sale for disclaimed property
• Form 5 - Notice of sale by mortgagee
• Form 6 - Appointment of receiver
• Form 7 - Notice to remedy breach
• Form 8 - Breach notice - Intention to refuse to renew, or extend the term of, or sell the reversion of, a lease
• Form 9 - Notice to terminate lease

Version 1 of these forms were first published on 26 September 2024.

Supreme Court Library Queensland
Level 12, Queen Elizabeth Courts of Law
Weekdays, 8.30am to 4.30pm
Free entry, open to the public

Our latest legal heritage display illustrates the evolution of the practice of shorthand and highlights the progression of its use in the courtroom. The display showcases an intriguing array of historical stenograph machines and a selection of classic literary works transcribed into shorthand.

https://www.sclqld.org.au/services/public-programs/exhibitions/the-shorthand-of-the-law-stenography-selections-from-the-legal-heritage-collection

Version 3 of Form 131 (DOC, 104.5 KB) Application for Reduction of Fees by an Individual has been approved for use from 2 September 2024 and is available on the Forms page.

This version was first published on 12 September 2024.

Version 4 of Form 30 (DOC, 43.5 KB) Notice of abandonment of appeal (Criminal Practice Rules 1999) has been approved for use from 4 September 2024 and is available on the Forms page.

This version was first published on 4 September 2024.

Version 1 of Form 26a (DOC, 57.5 KB) Application for leave to make a subsequent appeal (Criminal Practice Rules 1999) has been approved for use from 4 September 2024 and is available on the Forms page.

This version was first published on 4 September 2024.

The Chief Magistrate has issued Magistrates (Childrens) Court Practice Direction 1 of 2024 (PDF, 359.2 KB) regarding Applications for exclusion orders, and sets out the standard procedure for applying for an exclusion order in the Magistrates (Childrens) Court jurisdiction.

To support practitioners in preparing for a new approach to sexual violence offence proceedings in the District Court on 2 September 2024, the Court held an information session on 15 August 2024 in Brisbane. Watch this seminar and refer to the sexual violence case management webpage.

The Chief Judge has issued Practice Direction 3 of 2024 (PDF, 389.1 KB) and accompanying information notice (PDF, 1007.6 KB). This will include a Sexual Violence Case Management Pilot in both the Brisbane and Ipswich District Courts.

Sexual violence case management is expected to minimise delay in the Court process, provide greater certainty to all Court users, and reduce the potential for re-traumatisation of witnesses.

The Chief Judge has issued Practice Direction 3 of 2024 (PDF, 389.1 KB) and accompanying information notice (PDF, 1007.6 KB) introducing a new approach to sexual violence offence proceedings in the District Court of Queensland in accordance with best practice principles.

This will include a Sexual Violence Case Management Pilot in both the Brisbane and Ipswich District Courts.

Sexual violence case management is expected to minimise delay in the Court process, provide greater certainty to all Court users, and reduce the potential for re-traumatisation of witnesses.

Supreme Court Practice Direction 11 of 2023 (PDF, 149.3 KB) regarding Consent Orders of the Registrar has been amended.

Magistrates Court Practice Direction 3 of 2015 (PDF, 106.4 KB) has been amended, with updates made to paragraphs 3 and 4 mean outlining changes to the video and audio link arrangements for the relevant courts.

District Court reserved judgments protocol.

Supreme Court reserved judgments protocol.

The Chief Magistrate has issued amended Practice Direction 1 of 2014 (PDF, 484.9 KB) relating to photography and electronic devices in courtrooms. This practice direction complements and should be read in conjunction with Supreme Court Amended Practice Direction 8 of 2014 (PDF, 162.5 KB).

District Court Practice Direction 10 of 2014 (PDF, 243.3 KB) regarding electronic devices in courtrooms has been amended.

Supreme Court Practice Direction 8 of 2014 (PDF, 162.5 KB) regarding Photography and Electronic Devices in Court Buildings has been amended.

The Chief Justice has issued Practice Direction 14 of 2024 (PDF, 211.8 KB) with the accompanying information notice (PDF, 94.6 KB), effective 15 July 2024.

An information session in relation to ‘A New Regime for Expert Evidence in Supreme Court Criminal Proceedings’ was held on 19 June 2024.  Watch this session.

The Chief Justice has issued Practice Direction 17 of 2024 (PDF, 110.2 KB) designating registry summer closure dates for 2024-2025.

Supreme Court Practice Direction 18 of 2018 (PDF, 191.0 KB) regarding efficient conduct of civil litigation has been amended.

Supreme Court Practice Direction 9 of 2023 (PDF, 163.2 KB) regarding caseflow management for the civil jurisdiction has been amended.

Supreme Court Practice Direction 14 of 2023 (PDF, 228.5 KB) - Wills and estates list has been amended.

The Chief Magistrate has issued Practice Direction 7 of 2024 (PDF, 81.6 KB) regarding Citation of Authority, which repeals Practice Direction 19 of 2013.

The Chief Justice has issued Practice Direction 16 of 2024 (PDF, 134.5 KB) in relation to protected counselling communications. This repeals Supreme Court Practice Direction 15 of 2021.

To enhance the efficient conduct of civil litigation, the Supreme Court of Queensland has developed draft case management direction templates (DOCX, 97.3 KB) for parties to adapt to the needs of a particular case.

These templates should be used in conjunction with Practice Direction 18 of 2018 (PDF, 191.0 KB) and will assist with the development of a Document Management Plan, a List of Issues and a Trial Plan.

District Court Practice Direction 5 of 2021 (PDF, 681.8 KB) regarding protected counselling communications has been amended.

Supreme Court Library Queensland (SCLQ) is pleased to announce its Cairns library has now reopened to legal practitioners.

Located on level 3 of the Court Complex in Cairns CBD, the library boasts a wide range of resources to assist with your legal research, including key legal texts, journals and reference materials across many areas of law.

To access the library, customers must first request access in person at the Cairns registry. (Existing access card holders still have access.)

For more information, including about library facilities and staffed hours, go to sclqld.org.au/visit.

If you are considering using Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) to prepare court or tribunal documents, it is important for you to understand how AI tools work and how their use may cause issues in your case. Refer to the Queensland courts and tribunal guidelines for responsible use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (PDF, 303.1 KB) for non-lawyers.

Mental Health Court Practice Direction 1 of 2024 (PDF, 66.2 KB) - Previous assisting physchiatrsit reporting to the Mental Health Court has been released.

The Chief Justice has issued Practice Direction 15 of 2024 in relation to application for admission as a lawyer in accordance with the mutual recognition principle.

Read the Practice Direction in conjunction with the accompanying guideline.

District Court Practice Direction 2 of 2024   (PDF, 54.4 KB) has been issued to provide guidance to barristers on Direct Access Briefs.

The Chief Justice has issued Practice Direction 14 of 2024 (PDF, 211.8 KB) in relation to Expert Evidence in Criminal Proceedings in the Supreme Court (other than sentences), effective 15 July 2024.

Read the Practice Direction in conjunction with the accompanying information notice (PDF, 94.6 KB).

Magistrates Court Practice Directions 6 of 2024 (PDF, 110.0 KB) (Direct Access Briefs) has been issued.

Supreme Court Practice Direction 13 of 2024 (PDF, 149.2 KB) regards direct access briefs accepted by barristers, and repeals Practice Direction 20 of 2012 (PDF, 24.0 KB).

Magistrates Court Practice Directions 4 of 2024 (QCase implementation in civil proceedings) (PDF, 171.7 KB) and 5 of 2024 (Applications) (PDF, 222.8 KB) have been issued. The Principal Registrar (Magistrates Courts) Approval 1 of 2024 (PDF, 189.0 KB) complements these PDs.

Magistrates Court Practice Direction 3 of 2024 (PDF, 74.0 KB) has been amended to outline arrangements for Mossman registry from the 10 April 2024.

The Planning and Environment Court Practice Direction 4 of 2023 (PDF, 433.9 KB) has been amended

Practice Direction 1 of 2014 (PDF, 484.9 KB) regarding Photography and Electronic Devices in Courtrooms has been amended, and is to be read with Supreme Court Amended Practice Direction 8 of 2014 (PDF, 162.5 KB).

The Queensland Law Reporter is an approved publication in which notice of intention to apply for a grant may be published. Refer to Practice Direction 9 of 2024 (PDF, 118.5 KB).

The Supreme Court has issued Practice Direction 12 of 2024 (PDF, 52.7 KB) regarding excusals from jury service.

The Chief Justice has issued Practice Direction 11 of 2024 (PDF, 56.1 KB) detailing the registrar’s power to constitute the court to hear and decide applications for an extension of time within which to object to an item in a costs statement.

The Chief Justice has issued Practice Direction 10 of 2024 (PDF, 57.3 KB) detailing the registrar’s power to constitute the court to hear and decide applications where a will has been attested by only one witness.

The Queensland Law Reporter is an approved publication in which notice of intention to apply for admission to the legal profession may be published. Refer to Practice Direction 8 of 2024 (PDF, 21.1 KB).

The Chief Justice has issued Practice Direction 7 of 2024 (PDF, 136.6 KB) setting out the process for setting trial dates for civil proceedings to be heard in the Supreme Court at Brisbane.

The Chief Justice has repealed 61 Supreme Court practice directions. Refer to the full list in Practice Direction 6 of 2024 (PDF, 91.2 KB).

Amended Practice Direction 8 of 2014 (PDF, 162.5 KB) clarifies the permitted use of electronic devices and taking of photographs in court buildings.

The Chief Judge has issued 11 new Practice Directions for the Planning and Environment Court in the interests of the just and expeditious conduct of proceedings in Brisbane.

Although the Practice Directions will not have effect until 18 March 2024, because of their substance, the judges of the Court in Brisbane have conducted a seminar to introduce the documents to practitioners and expert witnesses.

The new Practice Directions include:

• 2023/01 - Repeal, Replacement and Transitional Arrangements for Practice Directions (PDF, 64.9 KB)
• 2023/02 - Early resolution or determination of appeals about an infrastructure charges or development approval conditions (PDF, 44.4 KB)
• 2023/03 - Determination of merits appeals (PDF, 1021.0 KB)
• 2023/04 - Determination of originating applications seeking declarations about development approvals and applications (PDF, 433.9 KB)
• 2023/05 - Determination of proceedings involving enforcement notices and enforcement orders (PDF, 244.1 KB)
• 2023/06 - Listing for hearing (PDF, 215.4 KB)
• 2023/07 - Written submissions (PDF, 1.4 MB)
• 2023/08 - Reviews, applications and orders on the papers (PDF, 72.8 KB)
• 2023/09 - Power of ADR Registrar to make orders and list a proceeding for review (PDF, 119.3 KB)
• 2023/10 - Participation of referral agencies (PDF, 74.2 KB)
• 2023/11 - Self-represented litigants (PDF, 241.1 KB)

The Supreme Court has issued Practice Direction 4 of 2024 (PDF, 226.0 KB) in relation to some aspects of criminal proceedings in the Supreme Court, and Practice Direction 5 of 2024 (PDF, 273.7 KB), in relation to the Supreme Court’s Criminal List in Brisbane.

The Practice Direction in relation to the Criminal List will commence operation on 28 February 2024 (although the forms and draft orders electronically provided for in the Practice Direction are able to be used immediately).

Watch the information session presented by Justice Peter Callaghan and Ms Bronwyn Currie, Criminal Resolution Registrar.

Amendments have been made (PDF, 105.9 KB) to the Supreme Court (Admission) Rules 2004 effective 1 May 2024.

Practitioners are reminded that the Supreme Court’s Practice Direction Number 2 of 2024, in relation to the Building, Engineering and Construction List (PDF, 122.8 KB), commences operation on 4 March 2024.  The judges assigned to conduct and manage matters on the BEC List are Justice Williams and Justice Sullivan.  Any enquiries in relation to the BEC List may be directed to the BEC List Manager or to the associates to the BEC List Judges.

Supreme Court Practice Direction 5 of 2024 (PDF, 273.7 KB) has been published and is to facilitate the resolution of criminal proceedings, by setting out the procedures to be adopted of all matters on the Criminal List.

Supreme Court Practice Direction 4 of 2024 (PDF, 226.0 KB) has been published and outlines the court procedures applicable to some aspects of criminal proceedings in the Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has established a Building, Engineering and Construction List to improve the conduct of large and complex litigation in relation to building, engineering and construction issues: Supreme Court Practice Direction 2 of 2024 (PDF, 122.8 KB)

The Chief Justice has issued Practice Direction 1 of 2024   (PDF, 89.5 KB) that applies to the citation of authorities in all proceedings in the Supreme Court Trial Division and in the Court of Appeal. It repeals Practice Direction 16 of 2013.

Magistrates Court Practice Direction 7 of 2023 (PDF, 75.6 KB) details the Change of Address for Service - SMS Law

Magistrates Court Practice Direction 06 of 2023 (PDF, 42.7 KB) has been published, and is a Repeal of Practice Direction 29 of 2012 - Changes of Address for Service in accordance with Practice Directions of the Supreme Court

Supreme Court Practice Direction 15 of 2023 (PDF, 135.0 KB) implements the Practice Note – Harmonisation in schemes of arrangement to address recent differences in scheme practice

The Supreme Court and District Court have published procedural fact sheets designed to provide plain English guidelines for common procedures in civil litigation in Queensland.

The fact sheets provide information about time-critical events in the life of a civil claim, demonstrate how to complete frequently required forms, and explain how to carry out other commonly required tasks, including bringing an interlocutory application, preparing an affidavit, and applying for an adjournment.

These guidelines will assist self-represented litigants and legal practitioners who are unfamiliar with civil practice and procedure in these jurisdictions.

The online fact sheets enable downloading and printing in PDF format. Links embedded in the fact sheets take the reader directly to statutory rules, court forms, and other useful resources.

The fact sheets apply to all Supreme and District Court civil claims, although certain information, e.g. email contacts for registry officers, is specific to claims filed in the Brisbane registry. Regional specific information should be requested from the relevant registry.

Beaudesert Courthouse will be temporarily closed from 6 November and will reopen on 27 November 2023 in new premises at 8 William Street, Beaudesert. Refer to Practice Direction 5 of 2023 (PDF, 183.4 KB) for details of court and registry arrangements.

Magistrates Court Practice Direction 4 of 2023 (PDF, 731.7 KB) has been published to facilitate procedural consistency in the determination of Applications for Non-publication Orders.

Practice Direction 3 of 2023 - Summary Proceedings under the Justices Act 1886 for domestic violence offence (PDF, 588.6 KB) is amended to include the words “or declines to enter a plea” in paragraph 5 and in the first paragraph of Annexure B.

A new media guide is now available to support journalists to report on sexual violence in Queensland.

The Sexual Violence Media Guide provides journalists and editors with advice on trauma-informed approaches to reporting, sexual violence statistics, practical reporting tips and legal considerations, including covering matters before the courts.

A key section of the guide details new laws removing restrictions prohibiting the identification of an adult charged with a prescribed sexual offence such as rape or attempted rape, prior to the finalisation of committal proceedings in the Magistrates Court.

The guide was a recommendation of Queensland’s Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce in its Hear her voice Report 2.

Find the guide at www.qld.gov.au/SVmediaguide

Mental Health Court Practice Direction 1 of 2023 (PDF, 46.8 KB) - References

The Chief Judge has issued Practice Direction 6 of 2023 (PDF, 30.4 KB) detailing the current five Commercial List Judges.

Read more about the District Court Commercial List (PDF, 198.9 KB).

Magistrates Court Practice Direction 4 of 2022 (PDF, 1.3 MB) - Amended  - Domestic and Family Violence - Including Annexures A,B, C and D

Magistrates Court Practice Direction 3 of 2023 (PDF, 588.6 KB) – Summary Proceedings under the Justices Act 1886 for domestic violence offence

Magistrates Court Practice Direction 2 of 2023 (PDF, 557.4 KB) - Pronunciation of names and preferred forms of address

District Court Practice Direction No 5 of 2023 (PDF, 68.1 KB) - Sentencing Proceedings - Outline of Submissions.

Supreme Court Practice Direction 14 of 2023 (PDF, 228.5 KB) – Wills and estates list.

Supreme Court Practice Direction 13 of 2023 (PDF, 190.0 KB) – Supervised case list for proceedings involving self-represented parties: civil jurisdiction.

District Court Practice Direction 4 of 2023 (PDF, 35.7 KB) – Designation of court holidays.

Supreme Court Practice Direction 12 of 2023 (PDF, 101.7 KB) – Designation of court holidays.

New versions of Form 59A – Request for Consent Order of Registrar and Form 11 – Consent Adjournment of Application were approved by the Rules Committee on 22 May 2023. Please ensure Form 59A – Request for Consent Order of Registrar (version 4) and Form 11 – Consent Adjournment of Application (version 2) are used when appropriate. Copies of the new forms are available at https://www.courts.qld.gov.au/about/forms.

These forms were first published on the court forms webpage on 25 May 2023.

The new Supreme Court Practice Direction 1 of 2023 (PDF, 163.3 KB) aims to improve the conduct of commercial litigation by an enhanced Commercial List from 30 January 2023.

The new Practice Direction is supported by Notes about the conduct of the Commercial List (PDF, 210.8 KB), draft directions (PDF, 108.5 KB), expert evidence (PDF, 65.5 KB), and electronic filing (PDF, 13.7 KB).

Requests to place matters falling within the Practice Direction on the List should be made by the online Commercial List Request Form.

The Practice Direction applies to existing and future proceedings on the Commercial List commenced in, or transferred to, the Brisbane Registry. All matters, which are currently on the Supervised List and which come within the definition of a commercial matter, will be transferred to the Commercial List.

A commercial matter filed in another region will be subject to case management as appropriate in that region.

The Supreme Court has today issued a new Practice Direction 11 of 2023 – Consent Orders of the Registrar (PDF, 149.3 KB).  This new Practice Direction replaces (and repeals) the former Practice Direction 4 of 2010 (PDF, 186.7 KB).

The new Practice Direction sets out the types of orders that the Registrar ordinarily has power to make, by consent, under rule 666 of the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999; those orders which will not generally be made by the Registrar and ought to be referred to a judge; and the procedure to be adopted when seeking an order be made by consent by the Registrar.

The new Practice Direction also clarifies the procedure where a matter is on the Caseflow Management List, and is being dealt with by the Resolution Registrar under Practice Direction 9 of 2023 (PDF, 163.2 KB).

Where parties seek to have an order made by the Registrar by consent, the necessary documents can be filed electronically, in accordance with the Principal Registrar (Supreme and District Courts) – Approval 1 of 2020 (PDF, 146.0 KB).

Practitioners are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the new Practice Direction 11 of 2023 (PDF, 149.3 KB), and also to re-familiarise themselves with Practice Direction 12 of 2022 – Applications (PDF, 160.4 KB) (including in relation to the procedure required where parties seek to have an order made by consent, by a judge, prior to the hearing of an application).

District Court Practice Direction 3 of 2023 (PDF, 104.0 KB) – Repeal of Practice Direction 4 of 2010 Change of Address for Service in Accordance with Practice Directions of the Supreme Court.

The District Court seeks to facilitate a simple process by which legal practitioners and self-represented litigants can provide, and the Court can seek, guidance and clarification of the correct pronunciation of names and preferred forms of address. Refer to District Court Practice Direction 2 of 2023 (PDF, 156.1 KB).

The appearance slip (PDF, 184.3 KB) is available online and in courtrooms.

The Supreme Court seeks to facilitate a simple process by which legal practitioners and self-represented litigants can provide, and the Court can seek, guidance and clarification of the correct pronunciation of names and preferred forms of address. Refer to Supreme Court Practice Direction 10 of 2023 (PDF, 102.4 KB).

The appearance slip is available online (PDF, 184.3 KB) and in courtrooms.

From Monday 3 April 2023, the Chief Justice will no longer issue practice directions in relation to changes in the name and/or address of a solicitor or solicitor’s firm.

Refer the Notice to the Profession (PDF, 77.1 KB) for filing instructions. The District Court has issued Practice Direction 3 of 2023 (PDF, 104.0 KB) to repeal Practice Direction 4 of 2010 Change of Address for Service, in accordance with the Practice Direction of the Supreme Court.

The Chief Justice has issued Practice Direction 9 of 2023 (PDF, 163.2 KB), in relation to the Caseflow Management List, which takes effect from 1 May 2023.

The Practice Direction implements a change to the way the Caseflow Management List presently works. Under the new Practice Direction, the Resolution Registrar, Ms Julie Ruffin, will manage the Caseflow List, subject to the supervision of the Caseflow Judge. Justice Williams will continue as the Caseflow Judge.

However, the Caseflow Management process is otherwise largely unchanged:

• A case flow intervention notice will be issued where a Request for Trial Date has not been filed within 180 days of the filing of the Defence.
• The parties may submit consent orders agreeing directions designed to progress the matter to resolution, by trial, mediation or negotiated agreement, in a cost effective and timely way.
• The parties may be required to attend a Caseflow Conference with the Resolution Registrar and the matter may be further reviewed by the Resolution Registrar or the Caseflow Judge.
• Non-compliance with the new practice direction or directions made under it may be referred to the Caseflow Judge.

The Practice Direction applies to all civil proceedings commenced by claim, or ordered to proceed as if commenced by claim, in Brisbane, and to any other civil proceeding, if ordered by the court. It does not apply to proceedings already on another managed list. Matters which are already on the Caseflow Management List will remain on the List.

The new Practice Direction will be reviewed in 12 months, in consultation with the profession.

The Supreme Court of Queensland has today issued a new Practice Direction 8 of 2023 (PDF, 103.0 KB) in relation to representative proceedings (or class actions), creating a Class Actions List. Under this Practice Direction, which commences operation on 22 March 2023:

• All class actions will be managed by two judges: Justice Bradley and Justice Williams.
• These judges will deal with all interlocutory matters for class actions.
• When a matter is ready for trial, it will be assigned to another Trial Division judge for hearing, after consultation with the Senior Judge Administrator.
• Where a class action was commenced in the Central, Northern or Far Northern region of the Supreme Court, the trial will take place in that region, unless otherwise ordered by the Senior Judge Administrator.

The two judges referred to above will continue to sit in all other jurisdictions of the Court.

The new Practice Direction will be reviewed at the end of 2023, in consultation with members of the profession.

Supreme Court Practice Direction 7 of 2023 (PDF, 72.6 KB) – Notice of change of address for service of Clifford Gouldson Lawyers.

Magistrates Court Practice Direction 1 of 2014 - Amended (PDF, 484.9 KB) - Photography and electronic devices in courtrooms.

District Court Practice Direction 10 of 2014 - Amended (PDF, 243.3 KB) - Electronic devices in courtrooms.

Supreme Court Practice Direction 8 of 2014 - Amended (PDF, 162.5 KB) - Photography and electronic devices in court buildings.

Supreme Court Practice Direction 6 of 2023 (PDF, 87.1 KB) - Notice of Change of Address for Service for Pacific Law

District Court Practice Direction 1 of 2023 (PDF, 43.9 KB) - Notice of change of name from Ellem Warren Lawyers to Ellem Warren Napa Lawyers.

Magistrates Court Practice Direction 1 of 2023 (PDF, 70.2 KB) - Designation of Court Holidays - Registry - 27 December 2023 to 5 January 2024

Supreme Court Practice Direction 5 of 2023 (PDF, 77.6 KB) - Notice of change of address for service of SMS Law.

Supreme Court Practice Direction 4 of 2023 (PDF, 75.9 KB) - Notice of change of address for service of 0MB Solicitors.

Supreme Court Practice Direction 3 of 2023 (PDF, 74.3 KB) - Notice of change of address for service of Landmark Lawyers Brisbane.

Magistrates Court Practice Direction 3 of 2015 - Amended (PDF, 106.4 KB) -  Proceedings using video link facilities and audio link facilities.

Supreme Court Practice Direction 2 of 2023 (PDF, 75.6 KB) - Notice of change of address for service for Australia China Legal Group Pty Ltd.