Roles of Courts

Question 1

Role of the Courts

Answer 1

To interpret and apply the laws that Parliament has enacted as well as common laws.

Question 2

Magistrate Court

Answer 2

The lowest court
Civil cases don’t exceed $75,000
Criminal cases max sentence is 3 years
Deals with some indictable and all summary offences
No Jury
The Court also has a minor cases procedure which is less formal than the general procedure. The minor cases jurisdictional limit is $10,000.

Question 3

District Court

Answer 3

2nd Lowest Court
Hears all indictable and serious criminal offences except for ones where the max sentence is life
District Court can hear civil disputes for an unlimited
amount of money in cases where the claim relates
to personal injuries and injury sustained in motor
vehicle accidents.
The court can also hear civil matters involving commercial or business dealings and debt recovery, but only for amounts up to $750,000.

Question 4

Coroners Court

Answer 4

The Coroners Court enquires when a person dies apparently from non-natural causes or where the cause of death is not known and determines the cause of death.

Question 5

Wardens Court

Answer 5

Deals with Mining Tenements

Question 6

Supreme Court of Appeal

Answer 6

The Supreme Court of Appeal has the power to hear all appeals (review decisions) from decisions
made by single judges in the Supreme Court (General Division) and lower courts - although an
appeal can only be lodged if a party has a good reason or reasonable grounds.

Question 7

Childrens Court

Answer 7

The Children’s Court of Western Australia has jurisdiction in respect of offences allegedly committed by children (aged 10 to 17 years) and care & protection matters

Question 8

Federal Court of WA

Question 9

Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia

Question 10

High Court

Answer 10

The functions of the High Court are to interpret and apply the law of Australia; to decide cases of special federal significance including challenges to the constitutional validity of laws and to hear appeals, by special leave, from Federal, State and Territory courts.

Question 11

Supreme Court (General Division)

Answer 11

• all indictable or serious criminal offences, but generally hears the most serious cases such
as murder, armed robbery, and serious drug offences (for example, major illicit drug-trafficking
cases)
• civil disputes involving an unlimited amount of money (for example, the court generally
hears cases over involving amounts over $750000 or serious and complex legal issues).