Online application to reschedule a court event now available for Childrens Court (Magistrate) Youth Justice matters
In Queensland, you must attend court on the date set by the court. If you need to change the date for any reason, you can apply online to reschedule your court event.
When you can apply online
Where a matter has a current listing date, a legal representative may apply electronically, where the consent of the other party has been obtained, using the online form for an order for:
- A sentence date (including a short plea, lengthy plea or contested sentence)
- An adjournment other than of a hearing
- A date for a hearing of an application (including a bail application or a directions hearing)
- A direction by the Court (including a direction for the provision of a brief of evidence).
You must apply at least two clear business days before the current listed date.
When you can’t apply online
You can’t apply online if:
- there are less than two business days to the date set by the court
- you want the matter adjourned to a different courthouse and there is no guilty plea being entered
- You are seeking an order for a pre-sentence report or mental health assessment,
If you don’t meet the requirements for applying online email the relevant registry https://www.courts.qld.gov.au/contacts/courthouses.
Deadline for applying online
You must apply by no later than 4pm two clear business days before the date set by the court.
Consent to apply
Before you apply, you must obtain the consent of the other party—either prosecution or defence—for the new date. Applications which have not obtained consent of the opposing party will not be considered.
How to apply online
Complete the online form explaining why you’re requesting the change or why your client cannot attend court on the set date.
Provide supporting documentation if possible. The application will be submitted to the relevant courthouse registry. All parties in the matter will receive an email confirmation, attaching a copy of the submitted application. For Childrens Court matters, this includes the Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women.
What happens next
A Magistrate will consider your application and decide whether to grant the change.
All parties will be notified electronically of the Magistrate’s decision. If your application is refused, you must attend court on the date that was originally set.
Requirement to appear
Parties are required to appear in court unless ordered otherwise, subject to relevant Practice Directions or subsequent orders of the Court.
If your application for an adjournment is refused and you fail to appear on the set date, the matter will proceed in your absence. This could result in a warrant being issued for the defendant’s arrest if they do not attend court when are required to do so.
