The Legal Light Justin Stack What do the different courts in NSW do? You hear a lot about cases being argued in court and judgments handed down, especially in this column. But why does a person appear in one court and not another? What do all our various courts actually do? Courtney Fermor at Stacks Law Firm says the court structure in Australia is shaped like a pyramid. At the base level in NSW are Local Courts, presided over by a magistrate. This is where most civil and criminal cases first enter the judicial system. In NSW, a Local Court hears summary offences such as traffic offences, civil matters involving up to $100,000 damages, bail and Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders. The District Court hears indictable criminal offences, such as sexual assault cases and damages matters up to $1.25 million. It also hears bail applications and some appeals from the Local Court. The NSW Supreme Court hears serious indictable offences like murder, unlimited damages claims such as personal injury, defamation and contract; bail applications and appeals from Local Courts on questions of law. The Children's Court hears criminal matters where the accused offender is aged 10 to 18. The Coroners Court investigates unnatural and suspicious deaths, as well as fires and explosions. The Drug Court is more informal, aimed at providing drug offenders with an alternative to prison. Three judges sit in the Court of Appeal to hear appeals against civil law decisions in the Supreme and District Courts. Appeals on criminal judgments and sentences go to the Court of Criminal Appeal. Ms Fermor says you can't appeal just because you don't like a decision. "Appeals must be made within 28 days, arguing the original judge made a significant error of law, or you were denied procedural fairness, or the verdict was not supported by the evidence. "At the top of the pyramid is the High Court, where seven judges hear appeals against decisions of the Court of Appeal. They also hear conflicts involving the constitution and state versus federal law. This is the end of the line - no more appeals are possible after the High Court." There are also federal courts which administer Commonwealth law. The Federal Circuit and Family Court deals with family law, immigration and welfare law. The Federal Court mostly deals with corporate law and trade practices. In addition to all those courts are myriad tribunals which deal with disputes over workplace and trade, environment and neighbours, tenants and landlords, government actions, discrimination and human rights. It would be wise to get legal advice on how best to pursue a dispute you might have through a court or tribunal. STACKS LAW FIRM Lesley Dingley Commercial Lawyer 02 6592 6592 taree.stacklaw.com.au Partners in life The Legal Light Justin Stack What do the different courts in NSW do ? You hear a lot about cases being argued in court and judgments handed down , especially in this column . But why does a person appear in one court and not another ? What do all our various courts actually do ? Courtney Fermor at Stacks Law Firm says the court structure in Australia is shaped like a pyramid . At the base level in NSW are Local Courts , presided over by a magistrate . This is where most civil and criminal cases first enter the judicial system . In NSW , a Local Court hears summary offences such as traffic offences , civil matters involving up to $ 100,000 damages , bail and Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders . The District Court hears indictable criminal offences , such as sexual assault cases and damages matters up to $ 1.25 million . It also hears bail applications and some appeals from the Local Court . The NSW Supreme Court hears serious indictable offences like murder , unlimited damages claims such as personal injury , defamation and contract ; bail applications and appeals from Local Courts on questions of law . The Children's Court hears criminal matters where the accused offender is aged 10 to 18. The Coroners Court investigates unnatural and suspicious deaths , as well as fires and explosions . The Drug Court is more informal , aimed at providing drug offenders with an alternative to prison . Three judges sit in the Court of Appeal to hear appeals against civil law decisions in the Supreme and District Courts . Appeals on criminal judgments and sentences go to the Court of Criminal Appeal . Ms Fermor says you can't appeal just because you don't like a decision . " Appeals must be made within 28 days , arguing the original judge made a significant error of law , or you were denied procedural fairness , or the verdict was not supported by the evidence . " At the top of the pyramid is the High Court , where seven judges hear appeals against decisions of the Court of Appeal . They also hear conflicts involving the constitution and state versus federal law . This is the end of the line - no more appeals are possible after the High Court . " There are also federal courts which administer Commonwealth law . The Federal Circuit and Family Court deals with family law , immigration and welfare law . The Federal Court mostly deals with corporate law and trade practices . In addition to all those courts are myriad tribunals which deal with disputes over workplace and trade , environment and neighbours , tenants and landlords , government actions , discrimination and human rights . It would be wise to get legal advice on how best to pursue a dispute you might have through a court or tribunal . STACKS LAW FIRM Lesley Dingley Commercial Lawyer 02 6592 6592 taree.stacklaw.com.au Partners in life