Land Court

Land Court of Queensland and Land Tribunal Originating Applications and Appeals may now be filed by email. Please refer to Practice Note 1 of 2024 (PDF, 176.4 KB) for more information.

The Land Court is a special court of record created by the Land Court Act 2000. It deals with a range of matters, including:

  • appeals against land valuations
  • compensation claims for land resumptions
  • objections and recommendations about mining tenures and environmental authorities for resource projects
  • compensation and land access conditions for mining claims, leases, and exploration activities.
  • appeals about local government rating categories
  • indigenous land and cultural heritage issues, such as injunctions and cultural heritage management plans.
Introduction to the Land Court of Queensland
Duration: 3:20

Who works in the Land Court?

The court has a President and Members, who are appointed for 15-year terms.

Judicial registrars also work in the court, focusing on alternative dispute resolution (ADR) processes like mediations and preliminary conferences.

How does the Land Court work?

Hearings are usually held by one member.

The court can sit anywhere in Queensland, often in the district where the land in dispute is located.

Cases can also be heard virtually through video conferencing.

Alternative dispute resolution

The Land Court encourages alternative dispute resolution (ADR) to help resolve disputes without a formal hearing.

Rules and procedures

The court applies the Land Court Act 2000, Land Court Rules 2022, and practice directions. The Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999 may also apply.

History of the Land Court

The Land Court is Queensland’s second oldest court, established in 1898. It originally dealt with Crown leasehold land issues, such as:

  • setting rental amounts
  • compensation for resumed leases
  • valuing improvements on leased land.

Over time, the court’s role has grown. In 2007, it took over the jurisdiction of the Land and Resources Tribunal, adding mining, petroleum, cultural heritage, and Indigenous matters to its responsibilities.

Membership

Note: For general enquiries, contact the Land Court Registry.

Click a name to view their profile, speeches, and publications.

NameAppointmentPhone
Peta Stilgoe OAM President
Appointed 31 May 2024
Member
Appointed 21 July 2017 		(07) 3738 7442
James Mcnamara Member
Appointed 9 march 2020 		(07) 3738 7443
Nicholas Loos Member
Appointed  31 May 2024 		(07) 3738 7445

There is a judicial registrar, Graham J Smith LLB, Grad Dip Leg Prac, BBus, LLM, FAPI, CPV (profile).

More information

Contact us

Address 363 George Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
Postal address GPO Box 5266, Brisbane QLD 4001
Phone (07) 3738 7199 (business hours)
Email landcourt@justice.qld.gov.au
Business Hours 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays and other designated court holidays)

Please send all formal Land Court correspondence to Landcourt@justice.qld.gov.au. Do not send formal correspondence directly to individual staff members in the Land Court.

The Land Court and Tribunal Registry also provides registry services to the Aboriginal Land Tribunal.

Resources