What happens to the Courts over Christmas?

Updated court dates for 2023/2024

As the end of year approaches, our thoughts may turn to preparations for celebrations and holidays.

Have you ever wondered what happens to the Courts over Christmas? Like many other services and organisations, the courts' operating hours change over the holiday period.

The court system doesn't completely shut down.  Magistrates, judges and support staff are on-call for emergency cases.

For details specific to your state or territory, check the court vacation dates below.

Australian Capital Territory's court vacation dates

• Supreme Court:  18 December 2023 – 29 January 2024 inclusive 

• Magistrates Court: 1.00pm, 21 December 2023 – 10 January 2024 inclusive 

For more information, visit the Australian Capital Territory Courts website.

New South Wales's court vacation dates

• Supreme Court: 18 December 2023 – 26 January 2024 

• District Court criminal jurisdiction: 16 December 2023 – 28 January 2024 

• District Court civil jurisdiction: At time of publication, awaiting the court's release of vacation dates 

• Local Court fixed vacation period: 23 December 2023 – 5 January 2024 inclusive*

For more information, visit the New South Wales Courts website or for Local Court hours visit NSW Local Court website. 

Northern Territory's court vacation dates

• Supreme Court:  2023/2024 sitting dates 

• Local Court: 18 December 2023 – 5 January 2024 inclusive 

For more information, visit the Northern Territory Courts website.

Queensland's Court Vacations

• Supreme Court registry:  4.30pm, 22 December 2023 – 8.30am Monday 8 January 2024 

• District Court registry:  4.30pm, 2 December 2023 – 8.30am Monday 8 January 2024 

• Magistrates Court registry:  4.30pm, 22 December 2023 – 8.30am Monday 8 January 2024

For more information visit the Queensland courts website. 

South Australia's Court Vacations

• Supreme Court registry:  4.30pm, 22 December 2023 – 2 January 2024 

• District Court registry: 4:30pm, 22 December 2023 - 2 January 2024 

• Magistrates Court: City, metro and permanently staffed country registries remain open except for public holidays. There are some limitations on matters being heard.  

For more information visit the Courts Administration Authority of South Australia website. 

Tasmania's Court Vacations

• Supreme Court sittings: 18 December 2023 – 26 January 2024 

• Magistrates Court registry: 2.00pm 22 December 2023  – 2 January 2024 

For more  information visit Tasmania's Department of Justice website. 

Victoria's Court Vacations

• Supreme Court: Final sitting day 22 December 2023. At time of publishing, awaiting the court's 2024 sitting dates 

• County Court:  23 December 2023 – 21 January 2024 

• Magistrates Court:  23 December 2023 – 7 January 2024 

For more information, visit the Court Services Victorian website.

Western Australia's Court Vacations

• Supreme Court: Offices of the Supreme Court will remain open except for weekends and public service holidays . Civil and criminal sittings commence Tuesday 9 January 2024 

• District Court:  At the time of publication, awaiting the court's release of vacation dates 

• Magistrates Court: At time of publication, awaiting the court's release of vacation dates 

For more information, visit the Western Australia Courts website.

Contacting Shine Lawyers over the festive season

Shine Lawyers offices will be closed from 5pm Friday 22nd December 2023 and re-open at 8:15am Wednesday, 3rd January 2024.

However, our friendly Client Service team will close at 5.00pm on Friday 22nd December 2023 and be available during the following week by phone as detailed*: 

• Wednesday, 27 December 2023: 8:30am – 4:30pm 

• Thursday, 28 December 2023: 8:30am - 4:30pm 

• Friday, 29 December 2023: 8:30am – 4:30pm 

• Tuesday, 2 January 2024: 8:30am - 4:30pm 

 *Times are in AEST 

You can still make an enquiry online during the closure periods and our teams will get back to you as soon as they can.  

We wish everyone a safe and joyous end of year and a Happy 2024.