What the Magistrates Court of Tasmania does
The Magistrates Court is Tasmania's lower court. It hears the bulk of criminal and civil matters at first instance, conducts committal proceedings that send the most serious indictable charges up to the Supreme Court, and runs specialist divisions for coronial, children's, youth justice and administrative-appeal work. The court is constituted by magistrates, led by a Chief Magistrate, and sits in Hobart, Launceston, Burnie and Devonport as well as circuit and country courts around the state.
What it hears
- Criminal and general matters: summary offences and less-serious indictable offences such as assaults, theft, drug offences and public order offences, plus committal hearings for serious charges bound for the Supreme Court
- Driving and traffic offences, including drink and drug driving, dangerous driving and licensing matters
- Civil disputes: minor civil claims of $15,000 or less, general civil claims of more than $15,000 up to $50,000, and larger claims where all parties consent
- Child protection matters in the Children's Division, including care and protection orders and assessment orders
- Youth justice matters: offences alleged against young people under 18
- Coronial matters: inquests and investigations into reportable deaths, fires and explosions
- Administrative appeals: review of certain government and administrative decisions
- Other applications such as restraint and family violence orders, bail applications and mining matters
Before your first court date
How a matter starts depends on its type. Criminal matters usually begin with a charge, complaint or summons brought by police that names the first court date and tells the accused when and where to appear; bail conditions set when the charge was laid may already be in place. Before a first criminal appearance, you (or your lawyer) can obtain the prosecution's disclosure or brief of evidence, and many people seek legal advice or speak to a duty lawyer or Legal Aid. Civil matters begin when a claimant files a claim in the Civil Division and serves it on the other party; the next step is usually for the defendant to file a response or defence. Check the daily court lists on the court's website to confirm the time and courtroom for your listing.
What happens at your first appearance
At a first criminal appearance the charge is put to you, you indicate a plea of guilty or not guilty, and the magistrate deals with bail and the timetable. A guilty plea may proceed straight to sentencing or be adjourned for reports, while a not-guilty plea is adjourned to a later mention or set down for a contested hearing. Serious indictable charges are dealt with by way of committal toward the Supreme Court rather than finalised here. First listings are often "mentions" — administrative or case-management dates — rather than the final hearing, and matters are commonly adjourned to allow for disclosure, getting a lawyer, negotiation or filing materials. In civil matters the court typically sets directions, conferences or a hearing date, with minor civil claims handled more informally.
What to prepare
- Your court paperwork — the charge sheet, summons, complaint or claim — and any document that states your court date, time and location
- Photo identification and your contact details so the registry can confirm who you are
- Any disclosure, brief of evidence or documents you have received, plus anything you intend to rely on
- Notes on your version of events and any questions you want to ask, so you do not forget them on the day
- Details of any existing bail conditions or earlier orders that apply to you
- Contact details for a lawyer, duty lawyer or Legal Aid if you intend to seek assistance before or at court
When to get legal advice
General information like this page can help you understand the process, but it cannot tell you how to plead, whether to contest a charge, or how a particular law applies to your facts — those are legal advice. Consider speaking to a lawyer if you face a criminal charge (especially a serious or indictable one), if bail is in question, if a family violence or restraint order affects you, or if a civil claim involves significant money. A duty lawyer or Legal Aid Tasmania may be able to assist at short notice, and you can also book a fixed-fee consultation with an admitted Australian lawyer through this service for advice tailored to your situation.
Where it is
Hobart Magistrates Court (principal registry): 23-25 Liverpool Street, Hobart, Tasmania 7000 (postal: GPO Box 354, Hobart TAS 7001). The registry is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm; the general phone number is 03 6165 7136. The court is in central Hobart within walking distance of the city centre and paid parking; allow extra time to clear security screening and to find your courtroom by checking the daily court list on arrival. The court also sits in Launceston, Burnie and Devonport, plus circuit and country courts, so confirm which location your listing is at before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Hobart Magistrates Court and when is the registry open?
The principal registry is at 23-25 Liverpool Street, Hobart, Tasmania 7000 (postal: GPO Box 354, Hobart TAS 7001). The registry is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, and the general phone number is 03 6165 7136. The court also sits in Launceston, Burnie, Devonport and at circuit and country courts around the state, so check which location your matter is listed at.
What types of matters does the Magistrates Court of Tasmania hear?
It hears most criminal matters (summary offences, less-serious indictable offences and committals for serious charges), driving and traffic offences, civil claims up to $50,000 (and larger by consent), child protection and youth justice matters, coronial inquests, administrative appeals, and applications such as family violence and restraint orders, bail and mining matters.
How much can I claim in a civil case in this court?
The court deals with minor civil claims of $15,000 or less, general civil claims of more than $15,000 up to $50,000, and larger claims where all parties consent. Minor civil claims are handled more informally than larger civil matters.
What happens at my first appearance on a criminal charge?
The charge is put to you, you indicate a plea of guilty or not guilty, and the magistrate deals with bail and the timetable. A guilty plea may go to sentencing or be adjourned for reports; a not-guilty plea is adjourned to a mention or set down for a contested hearing. Serious indictable charges proceed by committal toward the Supreme Court.
What is a 'mention' and why has my matter been adjourned?
A mention is an administrative or case-management date rather than the final hearing. First listings are frequently mentions, and matters are commonly adjourned to allow time for disclosure, getting a lawyer, negotiation, or filing materials. An adjournment is a normal part of the process, not a sign anything has gone wrong.
How do I find out what time and courtroom my case is in?
Daily court lists are published on the court's website at magistratescourt.tas.gov.au/daily_court_lists, so you can confirm the time and courtroom before you attend. It is also worth checking the printed or screen list at the court on the day, as listings can change.
Do I need a lawyer at the Magistrates Court?
You are not required to have a lawyer, but legal advice is strongly worth considering for criminal charges, bail issues, family violence or restraint orders, or significant civil claims. A duty lawyer or Legal Aid Tasmania may help at short notice, and you can book a fixed-fee consultation with an admitted Australian lawyer through this service for advice specific to your case.
What should I bring to court?
Bring your court paperwork (the charge sheet, summons, complaint or claim) showing your date, time and location, photo identification, any disclosure or documents you have received, notes on your version of events and questions, and details of any existing bail conditions or earlier orders. Allow extra time for security screening and to find your courtroom.