Adelaide's justice system is unusually compact: almost the entire court precinct sits on or beside Victoria Square (Tarntanyangga) in the heart of the CBD. The Adelaide Magistrates Court at 260-280 Victoria Square is the entry point and busiest court in the state, dealing with summary offences, traffic and drink-driving matters, first appearances and bail, and it runs specialist lists including the Drug Court, the Treatment Intervention Court, the Domestic Violence Court and Aboriginal sentencing courts. A few steps away, the District Court and the criminal Supreme Court both sit in the Sir Samuel Way Building at 241-259 Victoria Square, on the corner of Gouger Street, handling serious indictable crime, large civil claims and appeals. Federal matters such as divorce and parenting disputes are heard at the Roma Mitchell Commonwealth Law Courts Building at 3 Angas Street, a short walk from the square. Because Greater Adelaide is home to around 1.4 million people - roughly three-quarters of South Australia's population - these city courts carry the bulk of the state's criminal, traffic and civil caseload, with suburban registries at Port Adelaide, Elizabeth and Christies Beach and regional circuit courts at centres like Mount Gambier, Port Augusta and Berri taking the rest.
Criminal Law in Adelaide
If you have been charged with a criminal offence in Adelaide, where your matter is heard depends on how serious it is. Summary (minor) offences and the first appearance for more serious charges start at the Adelaide Magistrates Court at 260-280 Victoria Square. Serious indictable matters - things like serious assault, sexual offences or drug trafficking - move up to the District Court of South Australia in the Sir Samuel Way Building, while the most serious offences such as murder are dealt with by the Supreme Court of South Australia.
Most serious offences are set out in the Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935 (SA), while minor offences fall under the Summary Offences Act 1953 (SA); drug charges are dealt with under the Controlled Substances Act 1984 (SA). How a court sentences you is governed by the Sentencing Act 2017 (SA), and the Magistrates Court also runs problem-solving lists such as the Drug Court and Treatment Intervention Court that can change the path your matter takes.
This is general legal information, not legal advice about your specific case. The choices made early - what you say to police, whether you apply for bail, how you plead - are hard to undo later, so getting tailored advice from an admitted lawyer before your first appearance can make a real difference.
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Family Law in Adelaide
Family law in Adelaide is federal, not state, law. Parenting arrangements, property and financial disputes, and family violence orders connected to a relationship breakdown are heard at the Adelaide registry of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, in the Roma Mitchell Commonwealth Law Courts Building at 3 Angas Street, a short walk from Victoria Square.
Because family law is governed by Commonwealth legislation rather than a South Australian Act, the same rules apply whether you are in Adelaide, the Adelaide Hills or a regional centre. The court encourages separating parents to try to reach agreement on children's arrangements before litigating, and there are dispute-resolution requirements that often have to be met before you can file.
This is general information, not advice tailored to your family. Early, calm legal guidance can help you understand your options, protect your position on property and parenting, and avoid steps that are costly to reverse - so it is worth speaking to an admitted Australian lawyer before making major decisions.
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Divorce in Adelaide
Divorce - the formal legal ending of a marriage - is dealt with under Commonwealth law by the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. For people in Adelaide, that is the registry at the Roma Mitchell Commonwealth Law Courts Building, 3 Angas Street, although applications are now generally made online rather than over a counter.
Divorce itself is separate from sorting out property, finances and arrangements for children; those issues are handled under the family law process and are not automatically resolved just because a divorce is granted. In Australia divorce is no-fault, and you generally need to show you have been separated for at least twelve months.
This is general legal information only. Because the timing of a divorce can affect property settlement deadlines and other rights, it is sensible to get advice from an admitted lawyer about the right order to do things, especially if finances or children are involved.
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Drink Driving in Adelaide
Drink-driving charges in Adelaide are heard at the Adelaide Magistrates Court at 260-280 Victoria Square and are dealt with under the Road Traffic Act 1961 (SA). South Australia uses three categories under section 47B of that Act: Category 1 (0.05 to 0.079 BAC), Category 2 (0.08 to 0.149) and Category 3 (0.15 and over), with a zero-alcohol limit for learner, provisional and probationary drivers.
Random breath testing and drug testing are heavily enforced across Adelaide's major arterials - the South Eastern Freeway, Port Wakefield Road, Salisbury Highway, the Southern Expressway and Main North Road are well-known enforcement and camera corridors. The penalties climb sharply with the category, and a drink-driving conviction can carry licence disqualification, fines and, at the higher end, more serious consequences.
This is general information, not advice about your reading or your circumstances. Because a licence loss can affect your work and family straight away, and because there are sometimes options that affect the outcome, it is worth getting advice from an admitted lawyer early, before your court date.
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Traffic Law in Adelaide
Traffic matters in Adelaide - from serious driving offences to licence and demerit issues - are generally heard at the Adelaide Magistrates Court at 260-280 Victoria Square. Driving offences are dealt with under the Road Traffic Act 1961 (SA), while questions about licensing and vehicle registration come under the Motor Vehicles Act 1959 (SA).
Enforcement is intensive on Adelaide's main corridors, and the South Eastern Freeway descent from the Adelaide Hills has special heavy-vehicle and low-gear rules introduced after fatal runaway-truck crashes, making it a particular focus for traffic enforcement. More serious driving matters, such as dangerous driving causing death or harm, can be dealt with by the District Court of South Australia rather than the Magistrates Court.
This is general legal information, not advice on your specific charge. Whether you are facing a possible disqualification, a serious charge or simply confused about your demerit position, early advice from an admitted lawyer can help you understand the real risk and your options before you respond.
Speak to a lawyer about a traffic law matter →
Adelaide Courts
Where your matter is heard depends on the offence and its seriousness. The courts that serve Adelaide are:
Adelaide Magistrates Court
260-280 Victoria Square, Adelaide SA 5000. The entry point and busiest court in South Australia, handling summary criminal offences, traffic and drink-driving matters, first appearances and bail for serious charges, minor civil claims, and specialist lists including the Drug Court, Treatment Intervention Court and Domestic Violence Court.
District Court of South Australia
Sir Samuel Way Building, 241-259 Victoria Square, Adelaide SA 5000 (corner of Gouger Street). The principal trial court for serious crime - serious assault, sexual offences, drug trafficking and dangerous driving causing death or harm - as well as larger civil claims and appeals from the Magistrates Court.
Supreme Court of South Australia
Criminal matters are heard in the Sir Samuel Way Building, 241-259 Victoria Square, Adelaide SA 5000. The highest court in the state, dealing with the most serious offences such as murder and treason and the largest civil claims; the Court of Appeal hears appeals from the District and Supreme Courts and other courts and tribunals.
Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Adelaide registry)
Roma Mitchell Commonwealth Law Courts Building, 3 Angas Street, Adelaide SA 5000. Hears family law matters - divorce, parenting and children's arrangements, property and financial disputes and family violence orders - plus general federal matters such as migration, bankruptcy and consumer law.
What to Do Right Now
1
Find out which court your matter is in and when. Check any charge sheet, bail papers, summons or court notice for the date and whether it names the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Victoria Square or another registry.
2
Write down what happened while it is fresh - dates, times, locations, any breath-test readings, and the names of any officers or witnesses. Keep all documents together in one place.
3
Avoid making decisions that are hard to undo, such as guessing your plea, talking about the matter on social media, or missing a court date. If you are unsure what to say, it is fine to wait until you have legal information.
4
Call the free 24/7 legal hotline for plain-English legal information about your situation, and to book a fixed-fee consultation with an admitted Australian lawyer if you need tailored advice.
Adelaide Legal Questions
Which court will my matter be heard in if I'm charged in Adelaide?
Most matters start at the Adelaide Magistrates Court at 260-280 Victoria Square, which handles minor offences, traffic and drink-driving matters, and first appearances for more serious charges. Serious indictable matters move up to the District Court of South Australia, and the most serious offences go to the Supreme Court, both sitting in the Sir Samuel Way Building beside Victoria Square. Family law matters are heard at the Federal Circuit and Family Court on Angas Street.
Can I speak to a lawyer the same day in Adelaide?
This hotline is free and available 24/7 for legal information, so you can get plain-English help straight away, any time of day. If you need tailored legal advice, we can book you a fixed-fee consultation with an admitted Australian lawyer - often quickly, which matters when you have a court date or licence issue looming.
Will I lose my licence for drink-driving in Adelaide?
It depends on your blood alcohol reading. South Australia uses three categories under section 47B of the Road Traffic Act 1961 (SA): Category 1 (0.05 to 0.079), Category 2 (0.08 to 0.149) and Category 3 (0.15 and over), with a zero limit for learner, provisional and probationary drivers. Licence disqualification is common and the penalties climb with the category. This is general information - call the hotline to understand your options before your court date at the Adelaide Magistrates Court.
Can I get a divorce online in Adelaide?
Yes. Divorce is dealt with under Commonwealth law and applications are generally made online through the Federal Circuit and Family Court rather than at a counter; the Adelaide registry is at the Roma Mitchell Commonwealth Law Courts Building, 3 Angas Street. Remember that divorce is separate from sorting out property and arrangements for children. The hotline can give you general information and book a consultation if you want advice on timing and next steps.
Is this hotline really free?
Yes. The hotline gives free legal information 24/7 and is not a law firm. It can explain how things work in plain English and, if you need advice tailored to your situation, book you a fixed-fee consultation with an admitted Australian lawyer so you know the cost upfront. If cost is a concern, the Legal Services Commission of South Australia is also a public option.