Supreme Court of Tasmania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Supreme Court of Tasmania |
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Arms of the Supreme Court of Tasmania
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Supreme Court of Tasmania building, Hobart
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| Established | 10 May 1824 |
| Jurisdiction |  Tasmania |
| Location | Hobart |
| Coordinates | 42°53′10″S 147°19′46″E / 42.886048°S 147.329556°E |
| Composition method | Vice-regal appointment upon Premier's nomination, following advice of the Attorney General and the Executive Council |
| Authorized by | Parliament of Tasmania via the: |
| Appeals to | High Court of Australia |
| Appeals from | Magistrates' Court of Tasmania |
| Judge term length | Mandatory retirement by age of 72 |
| Number of positions | 7 |
| Website | |
| Chief Justice of Tasmania | |
| Currently | Alan Blow OAM |
| Since | 8 April 2013 |
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The Supreme Court of Tasmania is the most important court in the Australian state of Tasmania. It is a key part of Australia's court system. This court hears appeals from smaller courts. Its own decisions can also be reviewed by Australia's highest court, the High Court of Australia.
The Court usually holds its meetings in Hobart, Launceston, and Burnie. However, the part of the Court that hears appeals only meets in Hobart.
Contents
History of the Court
When Was the Court Established?
The Supreme Court of Tasmania started a long time ago. It was first known as the Supreme Court of Van Diemen's Land. This was the name for Tasmania back then. The Court officially began on May 10, 1824. It was created by a special document called a Royal Letters Patent.
This makes it the oldest Supreme Court in Australia. It even started ten days before the Supreme Court of New South Wales. Both courts were set up by the New South Wales Act of 1823. This law gave them power over New Zealand too.
Who Was the First Chief Justice?
The first person to lead the Court was Sir John Pedder. A famous lake in Tasmania, Lake Pedder, is named after him.
The first lawyer to appear in the Court was Joseph Tice Gellibrand. He became Tasmania's first Attorney-General. He took his special promises on the very first day the Court opened. The first case heard was about a person named William Tibbs. He was found responsible for a serious wrongdoing and was sent away for three years.
What Does the Court Do?
Court's Main Responsibilities
The Supreme Court of Tasmania has a very wide range of responsibilities. It handles all kinds of disagreements between people or groups. These are called civil matters. It also deals with the most serious cases where someone is accused of breaking the law. These are called criminal matters.
The Court is divided into two main parts. One part is called the Trial Division. This is where cases are heard for the first time. The other part is the Appeal Division. This part reviews decisions made by lower courts or by the Trial Division itself.
Appeals and Higher Courts
When the Appeal Division reviews civil matters, it is called the "Full Court." For criminal matters, it is known as the "Tasmanian Court of Criminal Appeal."
If someone disagrees with a decision from the Appeal Division, they can ask the High Court of Australia to review it. Before 1986, people could also appeal to a British court called the Privy Council. But this stopped when Australia passed a law called the Australia Act 1986. This law made sure all appeals from Australian courts stayed within Australia.
Working with Other Courts
The Supreme Court also hears appeals from the Magistrates Court in Tasmania. These appeals can be about both civil and criminal cases.
In Tasmania, there is no court between the Supreme Court and the Magistrates Courts. Some other Australian states have an extra court in the middle, like a "District Court." But Tasmania does not.
Who Works at the Court?
Judges of the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of Tasmania has up to seven judges. The Governor of Tasmania appoints these judges. This happens after advice from the Executive Council. The Executive Council includes senior government ministers, like the state Premier.
As of late 2017, these are the judges of the Supreme Court of Tasmania: List of Judges of the Supreme Court of Tasmania
The Associate Judge's Role
There is also an Associate Judge. This person has a slightly lower rank than a main judge. They used to be called the Master. The Associate Judge helps with many of the steps in civil and criminal cases. They also help decide how much money should be paid in civil cases.
