Supreme Court | Function | Civil jurisdiction | Civil Registry |
Criminal jurisdiction
Criminal Registry | Appellate jurisdiction | Land and Valuation Division|
Probate | Probate Registry | Service Charter | Library |
Location | Opening times | Contact details
The Supreme Court is the superior court of the State exercising original and appellate jurisdiction. The court is constituted of the Chief Justice, 12 Judges and 2 Masters. Administrative staff perform the many tasks required to keep a multi-jurisdictional court functioning in an effective manner.
The Supreme Court of South Australia is a court of both law and equity. It deals with the more important civil cases and the most serious criminal matters.
In its appellate jurisdiction, the Supreme Court reviews and determines errors which may have occurred in other courts of the State and interprets and expounds the law for the guidance of other courts.
Jurisdictions and registries
The civil jurisdiction deals with claims made pursuant to the court’s inherent jurisdiction and other jurisdictions vested in the court pursuant to legislation. Such matters are dealt with at trial or by way of chamber hearings.
The Civil Registry receives and processes all documents lodged in the civil
jurisdiction of the court and is the first point of reference for enquires from the public and the legal profession.
To
read the Guide to Civil Procedure, click here.
The registry also receives and processes appeals to the Full Court and Single Judge Appeals.
It also has responsibility for the management of the court's records and the listing and case management functions for the court's civil and appellate jurisdictions.
For filing fees, click here.
The most serious criminal charges, brought primarily under the Criminal Law Consolidation Act, are dealt with by the Supreme Court’s criminal jurisdiction. Trials are conducted before a judge sitting alone or with a jury. In almost all instances, matters have been referred to the Supreme Court following a committal process in the Magistrates Court.
The Criminal Registry's major functions include to receive and process Informations' (documents lodged which initiate criminal proceedings) lodged by the Director of Public Prosecutions; to list criminal trials and other hearings; to receive and process applications for leave to appeal and to prepare appeal documentation for use by the Court of Criminal Appeal; to receive and process applications to review and vary bail decisions made by Magistrates.
Appellate (Civil and Criminal)
Appeals from most decisions made by judicial officers in the District Court and Magistrates Court as well from decisions of single judges of the Supreme Court are dealt with by the Supreme Court. Most appeals from the Magistrates Court and tribunals are heard by a single judge. Appeals against decisions from the District Court or Supreme Court are decided by the Full Court which consists of three judges.
This jurisdiction deals with disputes that arise through activity involving land, planning, development, the environment and valuation of land issues.
The Supreme Court of South Australia is the court which has the exclusive jurisdiction in this State to make orders in relation to the validity of a will of a deceased person, the appointment of an executor or an administrator, and the administration of a deceased estate. The Probate Registry is the registry of the court which deals with applications for grants of probate or administration and other related matters. The registry keeps a register of probates and administrations granted by the court.
The Probate Registry is responsible for determining, on application for a grant of representation, what document or documents constitute the last will of the
deceased and/or who is entitled to be the personal representative of the deceased. When these determinations have been made, a grant is issued to the estate of the deceased person. There are three types of grants: probate, letters of administration
with the will annexed and letters of administration. When necessary a grant will be limited in duration, in respect of property, or to any special purpose. The term "grant" is used to mean whatever type of grant of representation is issued. A
grant is the official recognition by the court of the right of the personal representative named in the grant to administer the estate of a deceased person and of the vesting in the personal representative of the title to the deceased’s
assets.
For information on probate grants, click here.
For Probate Rules, click here.
The Civil and Probate registries are committed to providing a courteous, accurate and prompt service. The Supreme Court Service Charter outlines the registry service standards. For a copy of the Service Charter, click here
The Supreme Court Library provides a broad law library service to judges of the court, staff of the Courts Administration Authority, the legal profession, government agencies, interstate courts, law students and the public.
The main collection is housed in the Supreme Court Library Building. There are additional library collections which are also maintained in judges' chambers and a collection provided in the Sir Samuel Way Building for use by the Court of Criminal Appeal. The library currently holds over 103,000 books in stock.
For more information on the library, click here.
The Supreme Court is on the corner of Gouger and King William Streets, Adelaide. The Supreme Court buildings house judges' chambers, the Supreme Court Library, the Civil Registry, the Probate Registry, and various civil court rooms. However, as there are no holding cells in these buildings, most criminal cases are now held in the Sir Samuel Way Building. The court, constituted by a judge, conducts circuit sessions in both Mount Gambier and Port Augusta, usually three times a year.
The Civil
and Probate Registry is open from 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday.
The Criminal Registry is open from
9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday.
The Civil
Registry and the Probate Registry are both located at
1 Gouger Street, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000.
*Please note, queries in relation to the Supreme Court Rules, Forms and procedures should be directed to the relevant Registry (see numbers below) and not to the Registrar's office.
Supreme Court of South Australia
Registrar's Office
1
Gouger Street, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000.
Telephone: 61 8 8204
0476
Facsimile: 61 8 8212 7154
Please
Note: Appointment to take the Oath of Office under the Mutual Recognition Act,
should now be directed to the Deputy Manager, Client Services on 8204 0475
Civil Registry enquiries:
Telephone: 61 8 8204
0476, 8204 0478 and 8204 0497
Facsimile:
61 8 8212 7154
Email: supreme.registry@courts.sa.gov.au
Listings enquiries:
Telephone: 61 8
8204 0496
Facsimile 61 8
8212 7154
Email: supreme.listings@courts.sa.gov.au
Appeal and companies matters enquiries:
Telephone: 61 8 8204 0495
Facsimile:
61 8 8212 7154
Email: supreme.listings@courts.sa.gov.au
After
Hours enquiries:
Telephone:
61 8 204 0494
Any admission, Board of Examiners or practising certificate enquiries should be referred to The Law Society of South
Australia on telephone 61 8 8229 0222.
For Registrar's Certificates, Admission Certificates and Full Court Ceremony enquiries, please telephone the Civil Registry of the Supreme Court of South Australia on 61 8 8204
0475.
Email: supreme.registry@courts.sa.gov.au
Probate Registry enquiries:
Telephone: 61 8 8204
0505
Facsimile: 61 8 8204 8448
Email: probate@courts.sa.gov.au
The Supreme Court of South Australia Criminal Registry is combined with the District Court of South Australia Criminal
Registry and is located at:
Lower Ground Floor
Sir Samuel Way Building
Victoria Square
Adelaide, South Australia, 5000.
Criminal Registry enquiries
Telephone: 61 8 8204 0484
Facsimile: 61 8 8204 0543
Email: criminal.registry@courts.sa.gov.au
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