Legal System 2003

The Legal System 2003


In Australia each of the Federal and State systems incorporates the three arms of government: legislative, executive and judicial. The High Court of Australia, however, is the final court of appeal in respect of all matters, whether decided in Federal or State jurisdictions, and the Federal Parliament is empowered under the Constitution to invest State courts with Federal jurisdiction.

State Courts can hear both civil and criminal cases, which may in turn be heard before a magistrate or judge, with or without a jury
Each state has its own court system to administer state laws. As well, because we have a federal system of government, there are several federal courts to administer federal laws. Some of the federal courts also hear appeals from state courts. And some State courts have jurisdiction over some federal laws. The highest court in Australia is a federal court - the High Court of Australia.
Australian State and Territory courts have orig...