Location

Jalan Pantai, Christmas Island, Indian Ocean 6798

Postal Address

c/- Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, PO Box 868, Christmas Island, Indian Ocean 6798

Enquiries

(08) 9164 7901

 

 

Court services in the Indian Ocean Territories of Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands are provided through the Western Australian Department of the Attorney-General. This department has a service delivery arrangement with the Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government to provide services at a level comparable to that which would be provided to similar remote communities in Western Australia. Under the service delivery arrangement Western Australian Court Services provide Magistrates Court, District Court, Supreme Court, Family Court, Children's Court, Coroner's Court and registry for births, deaths and marriages and change of name services.

The Magistrates Court deals with adults who have been charged with criminal or simple offences. It handles civil matters involving claims of up to $50,000, consumer and trader claims of up to $50,000 and minor consumer/ trader cases of up to $7,500. More serious criminal offences, known as "indictable offences", commence in the Magistrates Court. Some of these offences may be dealt with in full by the Magistrates Court. However, more serious offences are dealt with by the District Court or the Supreme Court.

The District Court also deals with civil cases over $50,000, while the Supreme Court deals with the most complex civil cases with an unlimited jurisdiction. The Supreme Court and District Court can be heard in the Indian Ocean Territories as and when required, or alternatively cases may be dealt with in Perth depending on the offence.

Function(s):

• To be completed

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