As the state capital, Hobart sits at the centre of Tasmania's court system. Most matters begin at the Hobart Magistrates Court on Liverpool Street, in the heart of the CBD, which handles first appearances, bail and the bulk of summary charges for the city and surrounding suburbs. The most serious cases move up to the Supreme Court of Tasmania at Salamanca Place, where indictable matters are heard before a judge and jury. Unlike the mainland states, Tasmania has no district or county court — there is no intermediate level, so a charge is dealt with either in the Magistrates Court or the Supreme Court. Family law and divorce are federal and run through the Commonwealth Law Courts on Davey Street. With a compact CBD, the spread of suburbs from Glenorchy in the north to Kingston in the south, and the two bridges carrying everyone across the Derwent, these courts deal with everything from drink driving and traffic charges to assault and family breakdowns. Whatever you're facing, you don't have to work it out alone or wait days to speak to someone.
Criminal Law in Hobart
In Hobart, most criminal charges begin at the Hobart Magistrates Court on Liverpool 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, armed robbery and the like — are committed up to the Supreme Court of Tasmania at Salamanca Place and heard before a judge and jury. Tasmania has no intermediate court, so once a matter is indictable it goes straight to the Supreme Court.
Offences in Tasmania are governed largely by the Criminal Code Act 1924 (Tas). The night-time precincts around Salamanca, Elizabeth Street and the waterfront, along with the city's events and festival calendar, generate a steady flow of assault, public order and drug charges. A charge is not a conviction, and what you do in the first 48 hours often shapes how it ends.
In Tasmania you have the right to silence — beyond giving your name and address you generally 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.
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Family Law in Hobart
Family law in Hobart — parenting arrangements and dividing property — is dealt with under federal law by the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, which sits at the Commonwealth Law Courts on Davey Street. 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. 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 (Cth).
Where there's family violence, a Family Violence Order is a separate, state process heard in the Magistrates Court and can be dealt with urgently. A lawyer can explain your options and protect your position from the very start.
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Divorce in Hobart
Divorce is a federal process under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth), 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, and can be made on your own (a sole application) or together (a joint application). Hobart divorces are handled by the Federal Circuit and Family Court at the Commonwealth Law Courts on Davey 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 Hobart
Drink driving in Hobart is dealt with under the Road Safety (Alcohol and Drugs) Act 1970 (Tas) and heard in the Hobart Magistrates Court on Liverpool Street. Tasmania enforces a general blood-alcohol limit of 0.05, with a zero limit for learner and provisional (L and P) drivers and certain licence categories. The penalties climb with the reading, and a conviction carries a mandatory licence disqualification.
Random breath testing is common across Hobart, particularly on the bridges over the Derwent, the Brooker and Southern Outlets, and around the city after events and on weekends. Losing your licence in a city where many people commute across the river can put your job under real pressure.
How long you're off the road depends on your reading, whether it's a first or repeat offence, and your driving history. The court has discretion in some areas, and there may be arguments worth making before you plead. It's worth sorting out your position with a lawyer before your court date.
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Traffic Law in Hobart
Traffic matters in Hobart run from speeding and demerit-point trouble through to serious charges like driving while disqualified, unlicensed or suspended, and dangerous or negligent driving. These offences are dealt with under the Traffic Act 1925 (Tas) and related road rules, and most are heard in the Hobart Magistrates Court. The most serious driving matters — such as causing death or grievous bodily harm — can be indictable and heard in the Supreme Court.
Losing your licence in Hobart, where the suburbs spread well beyond the CBD and many people rely on the Derwent crossings to get to work, can put your job and your family under real pressure. If you're at risk through accumulated demerit points, there may be options worth exploring before you simply accept a suspension.
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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Hobart Courts
Where your matter is heard depends on the offence and its seriousness. The courts that serve Hobart are:
Hobart Magistrates Court
23-25 Liverpool Street, in the Hobart CBD. This is where most Hobart criminal, traffic and drink-driving matters begin, including first appearances, bail and summary hearings, as well as family violence order applications. Metered street parking and the Argyle Street car park are nearby.
Supreme Court of Tasmania (Hobart)
Salamanca Place, Hobart. The state's superior court, where serious indictable matters are heard before a judge and jury. Because Tasmania has no district or county court, indictable charges go straight from the Magistrates Court to the Supreme Court.
Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Hobart)
Edward Braddon Commonwealth Law Courts Building, 39-41 Davey Street, Hobart. Handles Hobart 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 Tasmania. 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 Hobart Magistrates Court on Liverpool Street for most 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 who can act on your Hobart matter, usually within the hour.
Hobart Legal Questions
Which court will my Hobart matter be heard in?
Most matters start at the Hobart Magistrates Court at 23-25 Liverpool Street in the CBD. Serious indictable charges move up to the Supreme Court of Tasmania at Salamanca Place — Tasmania has no district or county court in between. Family law and divorce are dealt with by the Federal Circuit and Family Court at the Commonwealth Law Courts on Davey Street.
Can I get a lawyer the same day in Hobart?
Yes. Call the free hotline and we can have a lawyer working on your matter — someone who can act in Hobart's courts — usually within the hour, any time of the day or night.
I've been charged with drink driving in Hobart — will I lose my licence?
Almost certainly there will be a disqualification period under the Road Safety (Alcohol and Drugs) Act 1970 (Tas), and how long depends on your reading, whether it's a first offence and your driving history. Speak to a lawyer before your Hobart Magistrates Court date so you understand your options.
Do I have to go to a courthouse 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. A lawyer can prepare it for you; the Federal Circuit and Family Court on Davey Street handles Hobart 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.