Judgments

Getting a judgment

Once both sides complete their appeal submissions in the hearing, the court may either:

• give the judgment (with or without deliberation and a short adjournment) on the day of the hearing
• reserve the judgment for several days, weeks or months.

Parties are advised when judgment is to be delivered (except for self-represented litigants in custody, who receive the judgment in writing). Generally, parties are notified the day before judgment is to be delivered, though they’re not required to attend (unless directed by the court).

After a judgment is delivered, the registry creates an order in line with the judgment. A copy is sent to the parties of the appeal.

Once judgment is delivered, the appeal process in the Court of Appeal is complete.

Appealing the decision

If your civil or criminal appeal is unsuccessful, you can apply for special leave to appeal to the High Court of Australia. Time limits apply.

For more information, contact the High Court of Australia.

Getting copies of judgments

Reserved judgments

Each party receives a copy of the judgment once it’s delivered at no cost.

You can get more copies of the judgment by visiting the Supreme Court Library Queensland in the QEII Courts of Law or phoning 1300 725 753. You will need to pay a fee for this.

Copies of judgments can also be obtained from the Supreme Court Library and Australasian Legal Information Institute websites.

Judgments delivered on the day

If the judgment is delivered ex tempore (immediately after the hearing finishes), the court doesn’t issue written reasons for the judgment at that stage. The written reasons will generally follow at a later date, to which the registry will advise the parties.

Judgments are published on the Supreme Court Library website, unless the court orders to the contrary or a restriction is imposed by legislation. A copy of the reasons are provided to each party shortly after they are delivered by the Court.

You can get a transcript of the reasons from Transcripts and recordings for a fee (for civil judgments).

For criminal judgments, self-represented litigants are entitled to one free copy.

Transcripts of hearing arguments

You may request transcripts of Court of Appeal hearings from the Recording and Transcription Services Team for a fee (civil matters).

In criminal matters, self-represented litigants are entitled to one free copy of the transcript. For more information contact Recording and Transcription Services Team on 1800 842 122 or visit Transcripts and recordings.