District Court of New South Wales

The District Court of New South Wales is the intermediate court in the judicial hierarchy of the Australian state of New South Wales. It is a trial court and has an appellate jurisdiction. In addition, the Judges of the Court preside over a range of tribunals. In its criminal jurisdiction, the Court may deal with all criminal offences except murder, treason and piracy.

Established in 1858 pursuant to the Courts Act 1858/ {{{4}}} (NSW), the Court replaced the Courts of Requests and divided the Colony of New South Wales into districts with courts in each district. Reforms during 1973 via the Court Act 1973/ {{{4}}} (NSW) created one District Court, with a statewide criminal and civil jurisdiction.

In its civil jurisdiction the Court may deal with all motor accident cases, irrespective of the amount claimed and other claims to a maximum amount of A$750,000, although it may deal with matters exceeding this amount if the parties consent. In addition, the Court may deal with equitable claims or demands for recovery of money or damages for amounts not exceeding A$750,000. The Court is also empowered to deal with applications under the Facto Relationships Act 1984/ {{{4}}} (NSW), the Provisions Act 1982/ {{{4}}} (NSW) and the Family Maintenance and Guardianship of Infants Act 1916/ {{{4}}} (NSW) that involve amounts, or property to the value of, not more than A$250,000.

The current Chief Judge of the District Court is The Honourable Justice Reginald Oliver ("Reg") Blanch AM.