HTML Preview Hierarchy Flow Chart page number 1.
Francis Burt Law
Education Programme
FBLEP – Court Hierarchy Flow Chart Jan 2012
The Law Society of Western Australia Page 1 of 1
High Court of Australia
Original Jurisdiction
Has authority to hear matters
regarding the constitution and
disputes between States
Appellate Jurisdiction
Hears appeals from the original
jurisdiction of the High Court, the Federal
Court and the State Supreme Courts
Federal Court of Australia
Hears matters relating to trade
practices, mergers and misuse
of market powers
Family Court of Western Australia
Although it is a State court, the FCWA is
vested with both State and Federal
Jurisdiction to hear matters relating to
family law.
Supreme Court of Western Australia
General Division
Appeals Division
Hears appeals from
single judge decisions
of the Supreme Court,
criminal matters from
the Magistrates Court
and the District Court,
and civil appeals from
the District Court
Criminal Division
Has jurisdiction over
criminal matters
which carry life in
prison as a
maximum possible
penalty
Civil Division
Hears probate
matters and civil
claims in excess of
$750,000
District Court of Western Australia
Children’s Court
Hears all criminal
matters for children
aged between 10 and
17.
Criminal Division
Has jurisdiction to
hear indictable
matters punishable by
a maximum 20 years
imprisonment
Civil Division
Hears civil matters
for claims between
$75,000 and
$750,000
Magistrates Court of Western Australia
Criminal Division
Deals with summary
and ‘either way’
offences which carry
maximum term of
imprisonment is 3
years or less
Civil Division
Has jurisdiction to
hear civil claims
under $75,000
Drug Court
A specialised court to assist
people whose offending
behaviour is a result of
entrenched drug use
Family Violence Court
A specialised court to
provide intervention to
offenders with charges
relating to domestic violence
Warden’s Court
A standalone court
that deals with
proceedings
relating to disputes
over mining
tenements in WA
Coroner’s Court
A standalone court
that investigates
the reasons behind
a person’s death