Practice directions - Magistrates Court

Practice directions are procedural guidelines issued by magistrates in the Magistrates Courts.

The directions are designed to complement existing legislation, rules and regulations and may refer to issues including the use of the court precinct, appearances by practitioners and parties, and case management.

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224 results found under Current

2025

2025/09–Temporary closure of Southport Magistrates Court registry (12-14 March) (PDF, 70KB)
2025/08–Temporary closure of specified Magistrates Court registries (11 March) (PDF, 95KB)
2025/07–Temporary closure of specified Magistrates Court registries (10 March) (PDF, 90KB)
2025/06–Temporary closure of specified Magistrates Court registries (6 and 7 March) (PDF, 92KB)
2025/05–Court Link (Brisbane Magistrates Court) (PDF, 75KB)
2025/04–Designation of Court Holidays (PDF, 38KB)
2025/03–Temporary closure of Townsville registry (4 February) (PDF, 41KB)
2025/02–Temporary closure of Townsville registry (PDF, 70KB)
2025/01–Summary proceedings for domestic violence offence – Brisbane Magistrates Court (PDF, 353KB)

2024

2024/11–Sexual Assault Offence Callover (PDF, 282KB)
2024/10–DNA Affected Case Callover for Cases (PDF, 270KB)
2024/09–Repeal of Practice Directions - Mossman Magistrates Court closure and registry arrangements (PDF, 86KB)
2024/08–Temporary closure of Beenleigh Magistrates Court and registry arrangements (PDF, 80KB)
2024/07–Citation of authority (PDF, 82KB)
2024/06–Direct access briefs (PDF, 110KB)
2024/05–Civil applications (PDF, 223KB)
2024/04–QCase Implementation in civil proceedings (amended) (PDF, 172KB)
2024/02–Temporary closure of Townsville, Mackay, Bowen, and Proserpine registries (PDF, 62KB)
2024/02–Repeal of Practice Direction 1 of 2024 - Applications for exclusion orders – s.20(2) of the Childrens Court Act 1992 (PDF, 306KB)
2024/01–Designation of court holidays - registry - 23 December 2024 to 3 January 2025 (PDF, 95KB)

2023

2023/12–Re-opening of Cooktown and Innisfail (PDF, 190KB)
2023/10–Temporary closure of Mossman Court (PDF, 169KB)
2023/09–Temporary closure of Cooktown and Mossman registries (PDF, 151KB)
2023/08–Temporary closure of Atherton, Cairns, Cooktown, Innisfail, Mareeba and Mossman registries (PDF, 46KB)
2023/05–Beaudesert court closure and registry arrangements (PDF, 184KB)
2023/04–Non-publication orders - Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1978 (PDF, 732KB)
2023/03–Summary proceedings under the Justices Act 1886 for domestic violence offence - Amended (PDF, 589KB)
2023/02–Pronunciation of names and preferred forms of address (PDF, 558KB)
2023/01–Designation of court holidays - registry - 27 December 2023 to 5 January 2024 (PDF, 71KB)

2022

2022/05 - Digitally recorded proceedings: Means of identifying proceedings, those appearing, and witnesses (PDF, 110KB)
2022/04 - Domestic and Family Violence - Including Annexures A,B, C and D - Amended (PDF, 2MB)
2022/02 - Designation of Court Holidays - Registry - 28 December 2022 - 6 January 2023 (PDF, 60KB)
2022/01 - Practice Direction - Repeal of Practice Direction 5 of 2021 COVID-19 (PDF, 43KB)

2021

2021/04 - Intermediaries (PDF, 189KB)
2021/03 - Protected counselling communications - Amended (PDF, 218KB)
2021/02 - Designation of Court holidays (PDF, 52KB)
2021/01 - Online court event applications (PDF, 51KB)

2020

2020/08 - Repeal of Practice Directions – Queensland Magistrates Early Referral into Treatment (QMERIT) Program and Queensland Integrated Court Referrals (Repeals 1 of 2016 and 4 of 2016) (PDF, 52KB)
2020/07 - Online Court Event Applications - Repeals 5 of 2014 (PDF, 134KB)
2020/03 and 04 - Notice in accordance with paragraph 6 of Practice Direction No. 3 of 2020 (amended) and paragraph 4 of Practice Direction 4 of 2020 (amended) (PDF, 205KB)
2020/03 - Court arrangements COVID-19 - Amended and 2020/04 - Court arrangements (COVID-19) in the Childrens Court when constituted by a Magistrates - Amended; Guidelines for Criminal Proceedings (PDF, 153KB)
2020/03 - Court arrangements (COVID-19) - Amended - Repeals 2/2020 (PDF, 250KB)
2020/03 - Court arrangements (COVID-19) - Amended - North Coast Region Magistrates Court - (Maroochydore Nambour, Noosa, Caloundra and Gympie Courts) - Protocol for having matters listed - REPEALED by practice direction 2020/05 (PDF, 64KB)
2020/03 - Court arrangements (COVID-19) - Amended - North Coast Region Magistrates Court - (Maroochydore Nambour, Noosa, Caloundra and Gympie Courts) - Domestic Violence Protocol - REPEALED by practice direction 2020/05 (PDF, 58KB)
2020/03 - Court arrangements (COVID-19) - Amended - Guidelines for civil proceedings (Brisbane) - REPEALED by practice direction 2020/05 (PDF, 225KB)
2020/03 - Court arrangements (COVID-19) - Amended - Guidelines for Cairns and Far North Queensland - REPEALED by practice direction 2020/05 (PDF, 2MB)
2020/02 - Court arrangements (COVID-19) - REPEALED by 2020/03 (PDF, 262KB)
2020/01 - Designation of court holidays - Registry - 21 December 2020 to 1 January 2021 (PDF, 183KB)

2019

2019/03 - Use of video-link or audio-link appearances in the Childrens Court when constituted by a Magistrate (PDF, 107KB)
2019/02 - Designation of court holidays - Registry - 23 December 2019 to 3 January 2020 (PDF, 157KB)
2019/01 - Magistrates Court closure – Ingham, Palm Island, Townsville - Registry closure - February 2019 - Amended (PDF, 48KB)

2018

2018/06 - Application for an extension of a court assessment order (PDF, 175KB)
2018/05 - Registry to compile list of outstanding offences - Amended (PDF, 171KB)
2018/04 - Repeal of practice directions - electronic filing of documents in the Magistrates Court (PDF, 72KB)
2018/03 - Non-party access to bail files before hearing (PDF, 173KB)
2018/02 - Designation of court holidays – Registry – 24 December 2018 (PDF, 135KB)
2018/01 - Referral to the Drug and Alcohol Court – Drug and Alcohol Treatment Order (Treatment Order) - Amended (PDF, 278KB)

2017

2017/08 - Court Link (Amended) (PDF, 162KB)
2017/07 - Mental Health Act 2016 proceedings in the Childrens Court when constituted by a Magistrate (PDF, 244KB)
2017/06 - Engaging interpreters for domestic and family violence civil proceedings in Magistrates Court (PDF, 184KB)
2017/05 - Applications made under the Peace and Good Behaviour Act 1982 (PDF, 191KB)
2017/04 - Designation of court holidays - Registry - 26 December 2017 to 5 January 2018 (PDF, 144KB)
2017/03 - Designation of court holidays - Registry - Thursday 30 March 2017 (PDF, 44KB)
2017/02 - Case conferences and callovers to conclusion in criminal matters in the Childrens Court (PDF, 169KB)
2017/01 - Mental Health Act 2016 proceedings in the Magistrates Courts - Amended (PDF, 260KB)

2016

2016/03 - Designation of court holidays - Registry - 26 December 2016 to 6 January 2017 (PDF, 144KB)
2016/02 - Queensland Murri Court - Amended (PDF, 948KB)

2015

2015/03 - Proceedings using - video link facilities and audio link facilities - Amended (PDF, 107KB)
2015/02 - Domestic violence offences (PDF, 176KB)
2015/01 - Designation of court holidays - Registry - 21 December 2015 to 1 January 2016 (PDF, 104KB)

2014

2014/06 - Bail proceedings using video link facilities and audio link facilities - Amended - Repeals 14/2013 - REPEALED by 3/2015 (PDF, 22KB)
2014/04 - Serious drug offence certificates (PDF, 18KB)
2014/03 - Management of controlled items in court precincts - Amended (PDF, 139KB)
2014/02 - Designation of Court Holiday - Registry - 22 December 2014 to 2 January 2015 (PDF, 16KB)
2014/01 - Photography and electronic devices in courtrooms - Amended (PDF, 485KB)

2013

2013/21 - Contested bail applications - amended 28 November 2014 (PDF, 15KB)
2013/20 - Designation of Court Holidays - Registry - 23 December 2013 to 3 January 2014 - Repeals Practice Direction 18/2013 (PDF, 41KB)
2013/18 - Designation of Court holidays - Registry - 23 December 2013 to 1 January 2014 - REPEALED by Practice direction 20/2013 (PDF, 39KB)
2013/17 - Proceedings for damages for personal injuries arising out of motor vehicle accidents against Suncorp Metway Insurance Limited or Australian Associated Motor Insurers Limited: Substitution of AAI Limited (PDF, 74KB)
2013/16 - Recording devices in courtrooms (Amends 4/2009 and 4/2004) (Repeals 5/2001) - REPEALED by Practice direction 2014/01 (PDF, 21KB)
2013/15 - Interest rates (PDF, 18KB)
2013/14 - Bail applications by remote communication device - Queensland Magistrates Courts - REPEALED by Practice direction 6/2014 (PDF, 21KB)
2013/13- Bail applications by remote communication device - Southport, Maroochydore and Townsville (PDF, 18KB)
2013/12 - Bail applications by remote communication device - Brisbane, Ipswich and Mackay (PDF, 18KB)
2013/11 - Bail applications by remote communication device - Mackay, Proserpine and Cairns (PDF, 12KB)
2013/10 - Bail applications by remote communication device - Toowoomba Magistrates Court (PDF, 19KB)
2013/09 - Bail applications by remote communication device - Toowoomba Magistrates Court (PDF, 18KB)
2013/08 - Bail applications by remote communication device - Maroochydore and Caboolture Magistrates Court (AMENDS 2012/30) (PDF, 28KB)
2013/07 - Bail applications by remote communication device - Ipswich Magistrates Court (PDF, 26KB)
2013/05 - Bail applications by remote communication device - Roma Magistrates Court (PDF, 18KB)
2013/04 - Bail applications by remote communication device - Brisbane Magistrates Court (PDF, 18KB)
2013/03 - Bail application by remote communication device - Magistrates Court Townsville (PDF, 18KB)
2013/02 - Bail application by remote communication device - Magistrates Court Ipswich (PDF, 18KB)
2013/01 - Bail application by remote communication device - Magistrates Court Ipswich (PDF, 24KB)

2012

2012/28 - Bail applications by remote communication device 2012-13 Christmas New Year (PDF, 15KB)
2012/27 - Designation of court holidays – Christmas/New Year closure – 2012/13 (PDF, 21KB)
2012/26 - Party transferring business; substitution of transferee (PDF, 15KB)
2012/25 - Designation of court holidays - Christmas / New Year closure 2012/13 (PDF, 13KB)
2012/24 - Bail applications made by remote communications device - Ipswich Magistrates Court (PDF, 13KB)
2012/23 - Bail applications by remote communication device - Brisbane Central Magistrates Court (PDF, 19KB)
2012/22 - Judicial Registrars - Power concerning prescribed applications and matters (Repeals 1 of 2008) (PDF, 20KB)
2012/21 - Bail applications by remote communication device - Townsville Magistrates Court (PDF, 18KB)
2012/19 - Bail applications by remote communication device - Ipswich Magistrates Court (PDF, 24KB)
2012/17 - Bail applications by remote communications device – Townsville Magistates Court (PDF, 13KB)
2012/16 - Bail applications by remote communication device - Townsville Magistrates Court (PDF, 8KB)
2012/15 - Bail applications by remote communication device - Maroochydore and Caboolture Magistrates Courts (PDF, 18KB)
2012/14 - Bail applications by remote communications device – Townsville Magistrates Court (PDF, 13KB)
2012/13 - Bail applications by remote communication device - Ipswich Magistrates Court (PDF, 14KB)
2012/12 - Bail applications by remote communication device - Townsville Magistrates Court (PDF, 19KB)
2012/09 - Bail applications by remote communication device - Ipswich Magistrates Court (PDF, 19KB)
2012/08 - Bail applications by remote communication device - Townsville Magistrates Court (PDF, 19KB)
2012/07 - Bail applications by remote communication device - Brisbane Magistrates Court (PDF, 12KB)
2012/06 - Bail applications by remote communication device - Southport Magistrates Court (PDF, 12KB)
2012/05 - Bail applications by remote communication device - Toowoomba Magistrates Court (PDF, 19KB)
2012/04 - Bail applications by remote communication device - Townsville Magistrates Court (PDF, 19KB)
2012/03 Bail applications by remote communication device - Townsville Magistrates Court (PDF, 20KB)
2012/02 - Bail applications by remote communication device - Maroochydore and Caboolture Magistrates Court - AMENDS Practice Direction 2011/28 (PDF, 29KB)
2012/01 - Bail applications by remote communication device - Ipswich Magistrates Court (PDF, 20KB)

2011

2011/29 - Bail applications by remote communication device – Townsville Magistrates Court (PDF, 26KB)
2011/28 - Bail applications by remote communication device – Maroochydore and Caboolture Magistrates Courts - AMENDED by Practice Direction 2012/02 (PDF, 22KB)
2011/26 - Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999 - Christmas closure (PDF, 18KB)
2011/25 - Bail applications by remote communication device (PDF, 27KB)
2011/24 - Bail applications by remote communication device - Townsville Magistrates Court (PDF, 20KB)
2011/23 - Bail applications by remote communication device – Ipswich Magistrates Court (PDF, 20KB)
2011/22 - Commonwealth criminal matters (PDF, 190KB)
2011/20 - Bail applications by remote communication device - Coolangatta Magistrates Court (PDF, 20KB)
2011/19 - Bail applications by remote communication device - Townsville Magistrates Court (PDF, 24KB)
2011/18 - Bail applications by remote communication device – Maroochydore and Caboolture Magistrates Courts (PDF, 25KB)
2011/16 - Bail applications by remote communication device – Ipswich Magistrates Court (PDF, 22KB)
2011/14 - Bail applications by remote communication device – Ipswich Magistrates Court (PDF, 22KB)
2011/12 - Bail applications by remote communication device – Persons refused bail by police in the Charters Towers and Hughenden Magistrates Court districts (PDF, 19KB)
2011/10 - Bail applications by remote communication device – Southport Magistrates Court (PDF, 20KB)
2011/09 - Bail applications by remote communication device – Ipswich Magistrates Court (PDF, 20KB)
2011/08 - Bail applications by remote communication device – Ipswich Magistrates Court (PDF, 20KB)
2011/07 - Bail applications by remote communication device – Ipswich Magistrates Court (PDF, 20KB)
2011/06 - Bail applications by remote communication device – Ipswich Magistrates Court (PDF, 30KB)
2011/05 - Bail applications by remote communication device – Ipswich Magistrates Court (PDF, 20KB)
2011/04 - Bail applications by remote communication device – Townsville Magistrates Court (PDF, 31KB)
2011/02 - Bail applications by remote communication device – Maroochydore and Caboolture Magistrates Courts (PDF, 41KB)

2010

2010/25A - Special Circumstances Court Diversion Program - Annexure - Repealed on 26/06/2017 (PDF, 40KB)
2010/25 - Special Circumstances Court Diversion Program - Repealed on 26/06/2017 (PDF, 190KB)
2010/22 - Designation of Court holidays Christmas/New Year closure (PDF, 17KB)
2010/21 - Bail applications by remote communication device – Magistrates Court Christmas/New Year period 2010/2011 - amended (PDF, 20KB)
2010/19 - Judicial Registrars - Power concerning prescribed applications and matters - amended (PDF, 21KB)
2010/18 - Fixed costs or costs to be assessed (PDF, 26KB)
2010/17 - Consent orders of the Registrar - Amended (PDF, 26KB)
2010/16 - Referal to alternative dispute resolution or directions conferences (PDF, 27KB)
2010/15 - Ex officio indictments (PDF, 31KB)
2010/14A - Registry committals - Annexures A and B - Amended (PDF, 576KB)
2010/14 - Registry committals - Amended April 2017 (PDF, 123KB)
2010/13A - Disclosure - Annexures A and B (PDF, 24KB)
2010/13 - Disclosure (PDF, 32KB)
2010/12A - Witnesses giving Evidence in Committal Proceedings - Annexure A (PDF, 20KB)
2010/12 - Witnesses giving Evidence in Committal Proceedings (Amended) (PDF, 151KB)
2010/11 - Continuity and applicability of existing practice directions (PDF, 25KB)
2010/10 - Times and procedures for callovers (PDF, 37KB)
2010/09 - Case conference and callovers (PDF, 40KB)
2010/08 - Jurisdiction determination (PDF, 35KB)
2010/07A - Form 1 – Application for an interpreter for a criminal proceeding (PDF, 30KB)
2010/07 - Interpreters - Magistrates Court criminal proceedings (PDF, 27KB)
2010/04 - Judicial Registrars – Power concerning prescribed applications and matters (PDF, 34KB)

2009

2009/17 - Notice of address for service (PDF, 28KB)
2009/13 - Designation of Court holidays - Christmas/New Year closure (PDF, 32KB)
2009/06 - Reopening or rehearing of applications at the Brisbane Magistrates Court (PDF, 36KB)
2009/04 - Recording devices in courtrooms - Magistrates Court (Amended by 16/2013) - REPEALED by Practice direction 2014/01 (PDF, 41KB)
2009/02 - Costs assessment - interim arrangements (PDF, 32KB)
2009/01 - Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999 (PDF, 34KB)

2008

2008/10 - Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999 (PDF, 29KB)
2008/09 - Filing written submissions (PDF, 30KB)
2008/07 - Part heard matters at the Brisbane Magistrates Court (PDF, 32KB)
2008/06 - Appearance of persons in custody - use of video link facilities (PDF, 24KB)
2008/05 - Multi-day hearings case management at Brisbane Magistrates Court (PDF, 35KB)
2008/04 - Drug Court Act 2008 and Drug Court Regulation 2008 (PDF, 25KB)
2008/02 - Queensland Magistrates Early Referral into Treatment (QMERIT) Program - REPEALED by 1/2016 (PDF, 55KB)
2008/01 - Judicial Registrars – power concerning prescribed applications and matters - Amended - Repealed by 2010/04

2007

2007/11A - Attachment to Practice direction 11 of 2007 (PDF, 22KB)
2007/11 - Summary hearings case management at Brisbane Central Magistrates Courts (PDF, 25KB)
2007/10 - Approval of registrar to assess costs (PDF, 18KB)
2007/09 - Designation of Court Holidays – Christmas/New Year Closure - 2007 (PDF, 19KB)
2007/07 - Committals and Ex Officio Sentences: Ipswich Magistrates Court (PDF, 37KB)
2007/06 - Costs Assessment Interim Arrangements - Repealed by 2009/02 - Costs assessment: Interim arrangements
2007/04 - Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999, Rule 283 (PDF, 26KB)

2006

2006/10 - Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999, Rule 976 (PDF, 28KB)
2006/09 - Conduct of Customs Prosecutions (PDF, 30KB)
2006/06 - Recording Devices in Courtrooms: Magistrates Court (PDF, 24KB)
2006/05 - Appearance of Persons in custody on video link facilities at the magistrates Court at Richlands - SUPERSEDED by Practice direction 2008/06 (PDF, 33KB)
2006/04 - Queensland Magistrates Early Referral into Treatment (QMERIT) Program (PDF, 61KB)
2006/03 - Adjournments for Indicative Assessment to Drug Court Magistrates (PDF, 16KB)
2006/02 - Appearances of Detainees on video link facilities at Magistrates Courts at Maryborough and Hervey Bay - SUPERSEDED by Practice direction 2008/06 (PDF, 32KB)

2005

2005/04 - Appearance of Detainees - SUPERSEDED by Practice direction 2008/06 (PDF, 23KB)
2005/03 - Appearance of Detainees - SUPERSEDED by Practice direction 2008/06 (PDF, 22KB)
2005/02 - Committal and Ex Officio Callovers (PDF, 23KB)

2004

2004/09 - Form of Address in Court (PDF, 12KB)
2004/08 - Amendment (PDF, 12KB)
2004/07 - Amendment to 8/2001 (PDF, 11KB)
2004/06 - Amendment to 4/2001 (PDF, 12KB)
2004/05 - Uniform Civil Procedure Amendment Rule (No 1) 2003 - REPEALED by 4 of 2018 (PDF, 11KB)
2004/04 - Recording devices in court rooms (Amended by 16/2013) - REPEALED by Practice direction 2014/01 (PDF, 18KB)
2004/03A - Guidelines - Evidence of Affected Children (PDF, 98KB)
2004/03 - Ex officio callovers - Ex officio indictments (PDF, 14KB)
2004/02 - Committal matters requiring evidence from child and intellectually impaired complainants of sexual abuse 'Fast Tracking' (PDF, 20KB)
2004/01C - Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999, Rule 975B - REPEALED by 4 of 2018 (PDF, 22KB)
2004/01B - Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999, Rule 975B - REPEALED by 4 of 2018 (PDF, 22KB)
2004/01A - Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999, Rule 975B - REPEALED by 4 of 2018 (PDF, 22KB)

2003

2003/02 - Designation of Court Holidays (PDF, 28KB)

2002

2002/02 - Interest on Default Judgments (PDF, 10KB)
2002/01 - Uniform Civil Procedures Rules 1999-The purpose of this Practice Direction is to facilitate the referral for alternative dispute resolution of matters to be tried in the Magistrates Courts-Southport Magistrates Registry only. (PDF, 10KB)

2001

2001/08 - Summary Offences Case Management - Listing Practice -Review Mention Callover-Waiver of Appearance in Person (PDF, 11KB)
2001/07 - Appearance by Law Clerks in the Applications Jurisdiction (PDF, 9KB)
2001/06 - Ex Officio Callovers - Ex officio indictments (PDF, 15KB)
2001/05 - Domestic Violence (Family Protection) Act 1989 Recording of Applications for Domestic Violence Orders (Repealed by 16/2013) (PDF, 12KB)
2001/04 - Ex-Officio Callover (PDF, 16KB)
2001/03 - Interest on Default Judgments (PDF, 11KB)
2001/02 - Drug Rehabilitation (Court Diversion) Act 2000 Referrals for Assessment to Pilot Program Courts (PDF, 17KB)
2001/01 - Magistrates Court proceedings for damages for personal injuries arising out of motor vehicl accidents, agains FAI General Insurance Company of CIC Insurance Limited: substitution of the Nominal Defendant (PDF, 15KB)

2000

2000/07 - Form of Committal from Magistrates Court and Form of Related Bail Orders (PDF, 19KB)
2000/06 - Judicial Notice of Signature of Magistrates Practice Directions 1201 (PDF, 20KB)
2000/05 - Interest on Default Judgments (PDF, 18KB)
2000/04 - Uniform Civil Procedure Rules Court Holidays (PDF, 18KB)
2000/03 - Taking Evidence by Phone (PDF, 32KB)
2000/02 - Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999 (PDF, 18KB)
2000/01 - Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999 (PDF, 8KB)

1999

1999/05 - Property Law Acts s289 (PDF, 11KB)
1999/04 - Uniform Civil Procedure Rules Court Holidays (PDF, 7KB)
Last reviewed
3 October 2023
Last updated
3 October 2023