The hierarchy of courts

• There is a court hierarchy - meaning each court is an expert in a specific area of law.
• In the local court a magistrate hears and decides the verdict - all criminals cases begin in the local court
• District court deals with cases like armed robbery and manslaughter - civil cases between $100,000-$750,000
• Supreme court is the highest court in NSW and deals with the most serious criminal cases
• High court of Australia located in Canberra and decisions are final - no jury. Deals with appeals from states' supreme courts
• Children's court involves care and protection of children. Criminal cases concerning children who have commited offenses and is on the same level as local court - heard by a magistrate trained to work with children
• Coroners court investigate deaths by unnatural causes - 6000 reportable deaths each year.
• Drug court of NSW provides long-term treatment for drug offenders caught up in the cycle of drug use and crime
• Federal circuit and Family court of Australia was created in 2021 after Federal court and Family court merged. Division 1 hears family law cases such as divorce. Division 2 hears cases involving migration and general law.
• The higher courts which hear the most serious matters are at the top of the hierarchy, and the lower courts which hear the less serious matter are at the bottom of the hierarchy.
• Local courts have a magistrate who hears the case and decides the verdict and sets the punishments
• All criminal cases and more than 90 per cent of civil cases begin in the Local Court.
• A magistrate can imprison an offender for up to two years per offence, or a maximum of five years. Magistrates are qualified legal practitioners who have many years experience in dealing with legal matters.
• Local courts can deal with civil cases up to $100,000
• The district court cases are heard by judges. deals with more serious civil cases for claims over $100 000 up to $750 000 and all motor vehicle accident cases.
• District court deals with criminal cases such as manslaughter and armed robbery
• The supreme court is the highest in NSW and deals with the

  most serious criminal cases such as murder, treason and serious

  sexual assault, and the most serious civil cases involving

  more than $750 000 are heard in this court.
• Supreme court is heard by the Chief Justice
• The high court of Australia hears cases concerning the

  interpretation of the constitution. It reads, interprets and applies the constitution and creates laws that then affect the powers of parliaments.
• The High Court consists of seven judges: the Chief Justice and six Justices.