Katherine Local Court sits in the courthouse on First Street, at the corner of Giles Street, in the centre of Katherine. It is the base for the Katherine circuit, which takes in the Big Rivers region and communities out to the Western Australian border. On the published list the venue is simply Katherine. This page shows the Katherine court list for today and the next sitting day once the court has released it.
What the Katherine court deals with
Like every Local Court in the Territory, Katherine hears cases before a judge sitting without a jury. A typical list includes:
- mentions, guilty pleas and sentencing for summary offences;
- bail applications for people arrested in Katherine and nearby communities;
- preliminary examinations for serious charges that may go to the Supreme Court;
- domestic violence order applications and domestic violence mentions;
- contested hearings, directions hearings and decisions;
- civil claims within the Local Court range of $25,000 to $250,000.
The Supreme Court has held circuit sittings in Katherine since 1996, so serious trials can also be heard locally. Those are listed by the Supreme Court, not on this Local Court list.
Reading the Katherine court list
Katherine lists often show no courtroom code, because most matters run in the main courtroom. Where a code appears it is usually MAG1 or C1. Nearly everything is listed for 9.30am, so the order in which matters are called depends on who is present, who has a lawyer and whether the person is in custody. Expect to wait.
- The name appears surname first, with given names shortened.
- One person with several files appears on several lines.
- "Preliminary examination (paper)" means the committal is decided on the written statements rather than live evidence.
- Suppressed names and all youth matters are left off the list.
When the list is released
The Local Court publishes the current day's list and the next sitting day's list. The next day's list is normally available by late morning the day before. Katherine has its own resident judge, but circuit weeks change the volume, so a quiet day in town can be followed by a long list when the judge returns from the bush courts.
Address and contact
Court House, First Street, Katherine NT 0850, at the corner of First and Giles Streets. Postal address: PO Box 1694, Katherine NT 0851.
- Registry phone: (08) 8973 8956
- Registrar: (08) 8973 8959
- Registry hours: Monday to Friday, 8.45am to 4pm
Registry staff can tell you whether your matter is listed and when, but they cannot advise you on your case. Duty lawyers from the Northern Territory Legal Aid Commission and the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency attend the court.
Getting there
Katherine is on the Stuart Highway about 320 kilometres south-east of Darwin. The courthouse is a few minutes' walk from Katherine Terrace, the main street. There is street parking around First and Giles Streets. If you are coming in from a community for a hearing, call the registry first, because many circuit matters are dealt with at the community sitting instead.
Security
Entry is screened by court security officers. Weapons and items that could be used as weapons are prohibited, phones must not be used in courtrooms, and recording is not allowed without the court's written permission.
The Katherine circuit
From Katherine the court travels to Lajamanu, Yarralin, Timber Creek, Barunga, Ngukurr, Kalkaringi and Mataranka. Sittings at the smaller locations are usually held in council rooms or police stations and follow the court's published circuit calendar. When those sittings are on, matters appear under the community name rather than Katherine. For the Darwin courts, see the darwin court list, and for every Territory list, the nt court list page.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a Katherine court list for tomorrow?
Yes, once it has been released. Open the Tomorrow tab above. It may still change before the court sits.
Why is there no courtroom next to my name?
Katherine usually runs one main courtroom, so the list leaves the room blank. Check in with the court officer when you arrive.
What if I live in a community on the circuit?
Your matter may be listed at the community sitting. Ring (08) 8973 8956 to confirm where and when to attend.
Can someone else check the list for me?
Yes. The list is public, so a family member or support worker can check it here or call the registry.