Courts
While the State Records Office holds many records from various courts, both metropolitan and country, more recent records may still be retained at the court. A description of courts can be found in the Department of the Attorney General Handbook (353.4 WES). The following courts are all located in the metropolitan area, but it could also be advisable to check if any local or police court records are still retained in country towns.
Children's Court
Address: 160 Pier Street
Perth WA 6000
Telephone: (08) 9218 0100
Fax: (08) 9221 1705
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9.00am - 4.00pm.
The Children's Court is responsible for the administration of justice to juveniles.
Coroner's Court
Address: Central Law Courts
Level 10, 501 Hay Street
Perth WA 6000
Telephone: (08) 9425 2900 or 1800 671 994
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8.00am - 5.00pm.
The Coroner's Court is responsible for enquiries into deaths which were either violent, unnatural, caused unusually or of an unknown cause. It is also responsible for enquiries into fires, especially those causing danger to the public. Coroner's inquests were destroyed after ten years up to 1976, but they are now retained.
District Court
Address: 500 Hay Street
Perth WA 6000
Telephone: (08) 9425 2230
Fax: (08) 9425 2268
The District Court is presided over by a judge and has criminal and civil jurisdiction. It has jurisdiction to deal with any indictable offences except where the maximum term of imprisonment that may be imposed is life imprisonment. In its civil jurisdiction actions where the amount does not exceed $250,000 may be heard. In respect of claims for personal injuries, the court has unlimited jurisdiction in respect of the amount it can award.
Family Court of Western Australia
Address: 150 Terrace Road
Perth WA 6000
Telephone: (08) 9224 8222 or 1800 199 228
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9.00am - 4pm.
The Family Court of Western Australia exercises jurisdiction under the Family Law Act, the Family Court Act and the Adoption of Children Act and deals with applications for dissolution of marriage, custody, access, injunctions, maintenance, property settlement, adoptions and other matters relating to the Acts and regulations. The [Commonwealth Courts Portal](https://www.comcourts.gov.au/pip/saml/authn_request?SigAlg=http://www.w3.org/2000/09/xmldsig#rsa-sha1&SAMLRequest=eJyFkEFPg0AUhO/9FWTvwILtgpvSBjVGkmoaSj14MdvlUTeBXdy3NP58ia1J40Hm+r6Zl5nl+qtrvRNYVEZnJAoo8UBLUyt9zMi+evRTsl55Fy1RdG3P88F96BI+B0DnjX6N/OeQkcFqbgQq5Fp0gNxJvsufNzwOKO+tcUaalngz7x8VDxm5SeuGRZLFzQIS0SR13UDD0pSyg4SIUppQJticTkS9/taKgym0QByg0OiEdiNP49int37EKjrnMeOL5G0iYHtpd6f0ebs/UwTXUxzOEPKnqtr6JdTKgnTTH06qBvsyxmWkFzjB54hg3dj/3mgcOrA7sCclYV9uMhIimrA1R6XfhUQSrmbfiD2F+g==&Signature=SlBkpcaCoyyOM47QH5HIUFLBi1h/IRRXqKxE6MYPITxrqfdxDxrR1jB2LK/W
YDX56SSXJ+HoT04f4b7924x1fA==
&ByName=pas) is an online system which allows clients and lawyers involved in family law proceedings to access some of the case information contained in the Family Court database. Transcripts of court hearings can be obtained by completing a form and paying a fee.
Liquor Commission Western Australia
Address: Level 1, 87 Adelaide Terrace
East Perth WA 6004
Mailing: PO Box 6119
East Perth WA 6892
Telephone: (08) 9425 1888
Fax: (08) 9325 1041
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 8.30am-5.00pm
The Liquor Commission deals mainly with contested applications for category A liquor licences as defined by the Liquor Licensing Act, matters or points of law referred by the Director of Liquor Licensing, disciplinary matters under the Liquor Licensing Act, or applications to other courts for reviews of decisions of the Director.
Magistrates Court of Western Australia
Address: Central Law Courts
501 Hay Street
Perth WA 6000
Telephone: (08) 9425 2222
Fax: (08) 9221 1307
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9.00am - 4.30pm.
The Magistrates Court deals with civil matters that involve:
- claims for debt or damages of up to $75,000;
- minor claims for debt or damages up to $10,000;
- consumer/trader claims over the sale, supply or hire of goods or services;
- residential tenancy matters involving amounts up to $10,000; and
- claims for the recovery of 'real property' up to a gross rental value of $75,000.
The Magistrates Court deals with adults, aged 18 or over, required to appear in court after being charged with a criminal offence.
Minor criminal offences, known as 'simple offences', are dealt with in the Magistrates Court. More serious offences, known as 'indictable offences', begin in the Magistrates Court. While some of these serious offences (known as 'either way' offences) may be dealt with in the Magistrates Court, the most serious offences must be sent on to be heard in the District or Supreme courts.
Supreme Court of Western Australia
Address: Level 11 David Malcolm Justice Centre 28 Barrack Street
Perth WA 6000
Telephone: (08) 9421 5333
Fax: (08) 9221 4436
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9.00am-4.00pm.
The Supreme Court has both original and appellate jurisdiction and hears matters in both civil and criminal matters. Criminal matters such as murder, rape, manslaughter, treason, etc., where the penalty prescribed is a term of imprisonment of 14 years or more are heard in the Supreme Court. In its civil jurisdiction, which is unlimited as to the amounts which may be claimed, matters of common law contract and probate are included.