The Supreme Court is the State's highest court, with responsibility for both criminal and civil matters. It is also the main appeal Court of the state. The Supreme Court is divided into two divisions - the General Division and the Court of Appeal.
The General Division deals with very serious criminal charges, such as murder, armed robbery and serious breaches of Commonwealth drug enforcement laws. Generally, it hears civil cases where the amount involved in the dispute is more than $750,000.
The General Division also deals with probate (including disputes over wills), Admiralty (disputes involving ships), disputed elections and applications under the Corporations Act.
The Court of Appeal hears appeals from single judge decisions of the Supreme Court and from lower courts and various tribunals.
To go above the Supreme Court, that is for a higher appeal, a case must go to the High Court of Australia, which is the ultimate Australian court from which there is no appeal.
The Supreme Court is composed of the Chief Justice of Western Australia, twenty one Judges, one Master, the Principal Registrar and eight Registrars.
