How much are the Court of Appeal fees?
How much are the General Divison court fees?
Where is the Supreme Court located?
The Court is situated in Stirling Gardens, on the corner of St Georges Terrace and Barrack Street, Perth (behind Council House). It is set back about 200 metres from St Georges Terrace. The turn-of-the-century architecture, with its eight grand columns at the entrance, makes it easy to recognise. Additional Supreme Court courtrooms are located at 111 St Georges Terrace, on the corner of William Street.
Public transport is readily available, with buses regularly running along St Georges Terrace. Some Supreme Court criminal trials may also be heard in the District Court Building, 500 Hay Street, Perth.
Where can I park?
Parking is available at the following City of Perth parking stations:
- below ground station behind Council House (entrance off 27 St Georges Terrace), 91 parking bays;
- two parking stations off Terrace Road, total 900 parking bays; and
- under the Concert Hall, 406 parking bays.
No parking is available in the Supreme Court precinct.
What are the Court's opening hours?
The Court of Appeal sits from 10.30am. The Court usually sits to hear criminal matters from 10am. The Court breaks from 1 - 2.15pm and concludes for the day at 4.15pm Monday to Friday. When prisoners are to be sentenced, the Court may sit at or before 9.30am. The sitting hours for civil cases are generally the same, except hearings usually start at 10.30am. Hours do vary so check the newspaper or daily listings on this site to confirm specific hearings. Courts are usually open to the public.
Matters listed 'In Chambers' are held in open court.
Central Office and the court of Appeal Office, where documents are lodged, and the Listings Office are open from 9am to 4pm.
The Supreme Court observes a court recess during summer and winter. The summer recess commences each year on 24 December and ends on the second Monday in January. The winter recess is usually held in July, and lasts for two weeks.
Where are the Central Law Courts and the Magistrates Court?
The Magistrates Court is located in the Central Law Courts building at 501 Hay Street, Perth (corner of Irwin Street). Note: The entry is located on Hay Street. The District Court of Western Australia is located directly opposite the Magistrates Court at 500 Hay Street, Perth.
Where is the Magistrates Court Stirling Gardens located?
The Magistrates Court Stirling Gardens is located in the Supreme Court building in Stirling Gardens, Perth.
I've been called up for Jury Duty - where do I go?
You would have received a jury summons in the mail and it will state the time and place on that document. It also includes a map. If you've been asked to attend at the Central Law Courts, go to 30 St Georges Terrace, Perth (opposite Government House), take the lift to the 4th floor, and follow directions. Jury officers will direct you to the jury assembly room.
Further information is available on the Department of the Attorney General's web site.
I've been called as a witness, but I've never been to court before so what do I have to do?
Read your subpoena, notice to witness or witness summons carefully. The document or documents that you have received will give you important information about your rights and obligations as a witness.
You must attend court on the day and date stated in the subpoena or summons. The Supreme Court sits in 2 locations. Check the court listings published in this web site and in the West Australian Newspaper or ring the court to find out which location and court you must attend. Information on the location of each site and parking is provided on the map at the foot of the home page of this web site.
Witnesses are not usually allowed into the courtroom after the hearing has started until they have given evidence. When it is your turn to give evidence, your name will be called and a court officer will show you into the courtroom. You will be asked to go to the witness box and will need to remain standing until you take the oath or affirmation to tell the truth. After that, you may sit down while a lawyer asks you questions.
Further information is available on the Department of the Attorney General's web site.
What should I do when I enter a courtroom?
The Court is usually open to the public, and seating is provided in the public gallery (generally at the back of the courtroom). When entering or leaving the courtroom, it is customary to bow towards the judge as an acknowledgment of the authority of the law. Talking, smoking and eating in court are not permitted. You can take notes whilst seated in the public gallery.
Can I leave my mobile telephone turned on as I have a 'silent ring' capacity?
No, mobile telephones and pagers must be turned off before entering the courtroom as even on silent ring, the telephones interfere with the court recording equipment. Video or other cameras, tape recorders, two-way radios or other electronic equipment are not permitted in the courtroom without the judge's consent.
How should I address a judge, master or registrar?
People are often unsure how address the Judges, Master and Registrars of the Supreme Court. The following guide should be of assistance.
If you wish to contact a Judge, Master or Registrar about a court action, you should write to or telephone the Associate to the Judge, Master or Registrar. Do not attempt to contact the Judge, Master or Registrar directly as this may result in the judicial officer or Registrar receiving information which he or she should not receive out of court or out of the hearing of other parties. Correspondence to an Associate should be addressed as follows:
Associate to the 'name of Judge, Master or Registrar'
Supreme Court of Western Australia
Barrack Street
PERTH WA 6000
The email address of each Associate is listed here. Litigants and their legal representatives are encouraged to use email to contact an Associate about routine matters involving court actions.
* NB. Ralph Scott Harris is a fictitious name used in this guide to demonstrate modes of address.
Correspondence
Chief Justice
Address correspondence to:
The Hon Wayne Martin
Chief Justice of Western Australia
Chief Justice's Chambers
Supreme Court of Western Australia
Barrack Street
PERTH WA 6000
Dear Chief Justice
Judge
Address correspondence to:
The Hon Justice RS Harris *
Supreme Court of Western Australia
Barrack Street
PERTH WA 6000
Dear Judge
Master
Address correspondence to:
Master Harris *
Supreme Court of Western Australia
Barrack Street
PERTH WA 6000
Dear Master Harris *
Principal Registrar
Address correspondence to:
Mr Ralph Scott Harris *
Principal Registrar
Supreme Court of Western Australia
Barrack Street
PERTH WA 6000
Dear Principal Registrar
Registrar
Address correspondence to:
Mr Ralph Scott Harris *
Registrar
Supreme Court of Western Australia
Barrack Street
PERTH WA 6000
Dear Registrar Harris *
In Person
Chief Justice of Western Australia
In person: 'Chief Justice'
Telephone: 'Chief Justice'
Judge
In person: 'Judge'
Telephone: Ask for 'Justice Harris' * then address him or her as 'Judge'
Master
In person: 'Master Harris' *
Telephone: 'Master'
Principal Registrar
In person: 'Principal Registrar'
Telephone: Ask for 'Principal Registrar Harris' * then address him as 'Principal Registrar'
Registrar
In person: 'Registrar'
Telephone: Ask for 'Registrar Harris' * then address him or her as 'Registrar'
In Court
Chief Justice of Western Australia
'Your Honour'
Judge
'Your Honour' or 'Judge'
Master
'Master Harris' *
Principal Registrar
'Principal Registrar'
Registrar
'Registrar'
What work is a Master of the Supreme Court engaged in?
The Supreme Court has a Master, who deals only with civil matters. The Master is a judicial officer. The Master handles interlocutory (preliminary) matters prior to trial. He also hears corporation applications and applications assigned to him from the Court's civil list.
What does a Registrar of the Supreme Court do?
Registrars are also engaged in pre-trial work and are responsible for case management. A civil action which is commenced in the Supreme Court is managed by a Registrar, unless it is entered into the Commercial and Managed Cases List in which case it is managed by a Judge. Some registrars are qualified as mediators and mediate matters when ordered by the Court. Registrars are also taxing officers and make rulings on matters about costs.
Are mediation conferences open to the public?
No, mediation conferences are strictly confidential.
How can I obtain a copy of a court document?
Pursuant to Order 67 rule 11 of the Rules of the Supreme Court 1971, a written request specifying the Supreme Court reference number can be made to inspect or obtain a copy of any
- writ
- originating application made under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cwth)
- appeal notice filed under the Supreme Court (Court of Appeal) Rules 2005.
- judgment or order made in court
If you are not a party to the matter and wish to inspect or obtain a copy of any document not listed above, you must make a written request to the Principal Registrar for access.
For a copy of any document, there is a fee for every page.
Law firms who are registered as Elodgment users can conduct searches via the elodgment link. This search is not restricted to matters which were commenced via elodgment.
Registered users may access eLodgment here.
How can I request a party name / litigant search?
Pursuant to Order 67 rule 10 of the Rules of the Supreme Court 1971, a written request is required for a party name / litigation search.
If you are not a party to the matter, you a must make a written request to the Principal Registrar for the search to be conducted and there is a fee for every name requested and result located by the search. A fee is applicable for every name searched even when no result is located by the name search.
Click here for the standard request form Request for Party Name Search - Copy of Document.
How can I request a divorce name search?
A written request is required for party name searches of divorce matters. If you are not a party to the divorce, you must make a written request to the Principal Registrar for approval for the search to be conducted.
There is no fee for a copy of the Decree Absolute; however, a fee is applicable for a copy of any other document.
The fees are set by Parliament and are contained in Supreme Court (Fees) Regulations 2002.
A party may apply to have the Court defer, refund or waive the fee. For additional information please refer to the Rules of the Supreme Court 1971
