Cairns is the legal hub for the whole of far north Queensland, and its courts carry the load for a region that stretches from the Tablelands and the cane country to Cape York and the Torres Strait. The Magistrates, District and Supreme Courts all sit together at 5D Sheridan Street in the city centre, while family law and divorce are handled by the Federal Circuit and Family Court registry in the Commonwealth Government Centre on Grafton Street. As a tourism and gateway town — with a busy international airport, the reef and rainforest trade, agriculture, and a transient working population — Cairns sees a steady run of drink driving, assault, traffic and family matters, and many people travelling through who suddenly need a lawyer a long way from home. Whatever you're facing, you don't have to work it out alone or wait days to speak to someone.
Criminal Law in Cairns
In Cairns, most criminal charges begin at the Magistrates Court on the ground floor of 5D Sheridan Street, where you'll have your first appearance, deal with bail, and have less serious (summary) matters finalised. More serious indictable charges — serious assault, sexual offences, major drug offences and fraud — are committed up to the District Court, and the most serious matters such as murder and manslaughter are heard in the Supreme Court, both sitting on Level 3 of the same Sheridan Street building before a judge and jury. Offences in Queensland are dealt with under the Criminal Code Act 1899.
Cairns is the place far north Queensland comes to when things go wrong. The nightlife around the Esplanade and the city centre, the influx of tourists and seasonal workers, and the long distances people travel to court here all feed a steady stream of assault, public nuisance, drug and property charges. A charge is not a conviction, and what you do in the first 48 hours often shapes how it ends.
In Queensland you have the right to silence — beyond giving your name and address you don't have to answer police questions, and it's usually wise to speak to a lawyer first. A lawyer can advise you before any police interview, apply for bail, and start building your defence or a plea in mitigation straight away — which matters all the more if you've been picked up while passing through and need to get home.
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Family Law in Cairns
Family law in Cairns — parenting arrangements and dividing property — is dealt with under federal law by the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, which has a registry in the Commonwealth Government Centre on Grafton Street in the city. For most parenting disputes you're required to attempt family dispute resolution (mediation) and obtain a section 60I certificate before applying to the court, unless there's family violence or genuine urgency.
Separating is one of the hardest things a person goes through, and distance makes it harder in the far north — partners can end up living hours apart, in remote communities, or interstate, which complicates parenting time and travel. Property can be divided without going to court if you can reach agreement, and parenting arrangements are always decided on what is in the best interests of the child under the Family Law Act 1975.
Where there's family violence, a Domestic Violence Order is a separate, state process heard in the Magistrates Court at Sheridan Street and can be dealt with urgently. A lawyer can explain your options and protect your position from the very start, including when you and the other parent are a long way apart.
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Divorce in Cairns
Divorce is a federal process under the Family Law Act 1975, and it's separate from sorting out property or parenting — it simply ends the marriage. You can apply once you've been separated for at least 12 months, and in some cases you can be "separated under one roof".
Applications are filed online through the Commonwealth Courts Portal rather than over a counter, which is a real advantage in the far north where the nearest registry can be a long drive away — you can lodge from Cairns, the Tablelands, or a remote community without travelling. You can apply on your own (a sole application) or together (a joint application), and Cairns divorces are dealt with by the Federal Circuit and Family Court registry on Grafton Street. You'll generally need your marriage certificate, and where there are children under 18 the court must be satisfied that proper arrangements are in place for them.
Getting the application right the first time avoids weeks of delay. A lawyer can prepare and lodge it for you and make sure property and parenting are handled properly alongside it.
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Drink Driving in Cairns
Drink driving in Cairns is charged under section 79 of the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995 and heard in the Magistrates Court on Sheridan Street. Queensland has four alcohol-limit categories: no alcohol (for learners, P-platers and certain licences), the general limit (0.05 to 0.099), the middle limit (0.10 to 0.149) and the high range (0.15 and over). The higher the reading, the heavier the penalty.
Road policing is heavy across the far north, with booze buses and random breath tests common around the city, the Captain Cook Highway to the northern beaches and Port Douglas, and the Bruce Highway south. With public transport limited and so much of the region only reachable by car, losing your licence here hits hard — and a conviction carries a mandatory licence disqualification, with the length depending on your reading, your traffic history and the circumstances.
For some first-time, lower-range offences you may be able to apply for a work (restricted) licence so you can keep driving for your job. Whether you're eligible — and how to put your case — is worth sorting out with a lawyer before your court date.
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Traffic Law in Cairns
Traffic matters in Cairns run from speeding and demerit-point trouble on the Bruce Highway and the Captain Cook Highway through to serious charges like driving while disqualified, unlicensed or suspended, and dangerous operation of a vehicle, all under the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995. Minor matters are dealt with in the Magistrates Court on Sheridan Street; dangerous driving causing harm can be an indictable matter heard in the District Court at the same building.
In a region this spread out — long single-lane highways, wet-season conditions, and big distances between towns — driving is not optional, so losing your licence can put your job and your family under real pressure. If you're at risk through demerit points you may be able to elect a good-driving-behaviour period, and in some situations apply for a special hardship licence.
The right move depends on your history and what's at stake. A lawyer can tell you quickly whether a charge is worth fighting, and how to keep you on the road wherever the law allows.
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Cairns Courts
Where your matter is heard depends on the offence and its seriousness. The courts that serve Cairns are:
Cairns Courthouse (Magistrates, District & Supreme Courts)
5D Sheridan Street, Cairns. The Magistrates Court sits on the ground floor and the District and Supreme Courts on Level 3. This is the main court complex for far north Queensland, where most Cairns criminal, traffic, drink-driving and civil matters begin, and where serious charges are heard before a judge and jury.
Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Cairns registry)
Commonwealth Government Centre, Level 3, 94-104 Grafton Street, Cairns. Handles Cairns family law and divorce — parenting, property and divorce applications under federal law. Divorce applications are filed online through the Commonwealth Courts Portal.
What to Do Right Now
1
If police want to question you, give only your name and address — you have the right to silence in Queensland. Politely tell them you want to speak to a lawyer first.
2
Write everything down while it's fresh: what happened, dates and times, the names of any witnesses, and anything the police said or did.
3
Check your paperwork for your first court date and which court — the Sheridan Street courthouse for criminal, traffic and drink-driving matters, or the Grafton Street registry for family matters. Missing a court date can lead to a warrant or losing your licence by default.
4
Call Legal Hotline now — free, any time. Tell us what's happened and we'll connect you with a lawyer for your Cairns matter, usually within the hour.
Cairns Legal Questions
Which court will my Cairns matter be heard in?
Most criminal, traffic and drink-driving matters start at the Cairns Magistrates Court at 5D Sheridan Street, with serious charges moving up to the District or Supreme Court on Level 3 of the same building. Family law and divorce are dealt with by the Federal Circuit and Family Court registry in the Commonwealth Government Centre on Grafton Street.
Can I get a lawyer the same day in Cairns?
Yes. Call the free hotline and we can have a lawyer working on your matter — anywhere in Australia, including right across Cairns and far north Queensland — usually within the hour.
I've been charged with drink driving in Cairns — will I lose my licence?
Almost certainly there will be a disqualification period under the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995, and how long depends on your reading and your history. For some first, lower-range offences you may be able to apply for a work licence. Speak to a lawyer before your court date at the Sheridan Street courthouse.
Do I have to travel to a court in Cairns to start a divorce?
No. Divorce is a federal process — applications are filed online through the Commonwealth Courts Portal once you've been separated for at least 12 months, so you can lodge from anywhere in the far north without travelling. A lawyer can prepare it for you; the Federal Circuit and Family Court registry on Grafton Street handles Cairns family matters.
Is calling Legal Hotline really free?
Yes. The information line is free and open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can call any time to understand where you stand — no cost, no obligation.