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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.

Portrait of John Selden with text saying 2025 Selden lecture series

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.

There has not been a change to the Reserve Bank Rate (cash rate). The interest rate to be applied by registrars to default judgments and money orders from 1 January 2025 remains at 4.35%.

Default Judgments

For the period 1 January –30 June 2025 the rate applied will remain the same at 8.35% (cash rate of 4.35% + 4%).

Money Order

For the period 1 January –30 June 2025 the rate applied will remain the same at 10.35% (cash rate of 4.35% + 6%).

Queensland Courts website

The Queensland Courts interest rates page has been updated.

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.

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.

Queensland Courts is piloting a Sexual Offence Expert Evidence Panel to allow experts to give relevant evidence in sexual violence proceedings at pilot locations in Brisbane and Townsville

Applications to be appointed a Stream 1 expert will close on 4 November 2024. Read more about lodging an application.

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.

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.

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).

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 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.

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.

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.

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).

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 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).

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.

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 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.

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

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

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.

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