Nhulunbuy Court House is on Endeavour Square, the town centre of Nhulunbuy on the Gove Peninsula in north-east Arnhem Land. The Local Court does not have a resident judge here. Judges and registry staff fly in from Darwin on the northern circuit, and during those sittings the Nhulunbuy court list covers the town and East Arnhem communities. This page shows the list for today and the next sitting day whenever Nhulunbuy is sitting.
When the court sits
Nhulunbuy sittings follow the Local Court's northern circuit calendar and are usually held over several consecutive days. Between circuits there is no daily list, so this page will often be empty. The Supreme Court has also held sittings in Nhulunbuy for serious criminal cases; those are listed separately by the Supreme Court.
What is heard
- mentions, guilty pleas and sentencing;
- bail applications and bail variations;
- preliminary examinations for indictable charges;
- domestic violence order applications and mentions;
- contested hearings that have been held over for the circuit;
- some civil and Work Health Court matters.
Matters from Galiwinku, Gapuwiyak and Ramingining may be heard at their own community sittings or brought into Nhulunbuy, depending on the calendar.
Who uses the Nhulunbuy list
The list is checked by people with a matter on the circuit, by their families, by community legal and support workers who arrange travel from outlying communities, and by lawyers preparing for a short, crowded sitting. Because flights and accommodation have to be booked ahead, knowing early whether a matter is still listed saves a wasted trip.
Reading the list
Each entry shows the listing time, the surname and initials of the person appearing, the room if one is given, and the type of listing such as mention, plea or hearing. On circuit most matters share one or two start times and the judge works through them in order, so plan to be at court for most of the day. Suppressed names and all youth matters are left off.
Address and contact
Court House, Endeavour Square, Nhulunbuy NT 0881.
- Circuit court registrar (Darwin): (08) 8999 7151
- Darwin Local Court criminal registry: (08) 8999 6417
Because the court is run from Darwin, listing questions go to the circuit court registrar. Staff can confirm the date and time of a matter but cannot give legal advice. Legal Aid and Aboriginal legal service lawyers travel with the circuit, and interpreters for Yolŋu languages can be arranged if the court is told in advance.
Getting there
Nhulunbuy is about 1,000 kilometres east of Darwin. Most people arrive by air through Gove Airport. Endeavour Square is the shopping and services hub of the town, with parking close to the courthouse. If you live in a homeland or another community, check with the registry or your lawyer whether you need to travel to Nhulunbuy or whether your matter will be heard closer to home.
Security
Circuit sittings use the same rules as the main courthouses: entry can be screened, weapons are prohibited, phones are not to be used in the courtroom and recording is not permitted without the court's written permission.
Related lists
The northern circuit is run from Darwin, so the darwin court list is the place to look if a matter is moved back to town. Every Territory list is linked from the nt court list page.
Frequently asked questions
Why is there no Nhulunbuy court list today?
The court only sits in Nhulunbuy during circuit weeks. On other days there is nothing to publish. Call (08) 8999 7151 to find out when the next sitting is.
Who do I call about a Nhulunbuy hearing?
The circuit court registrar in Darwin on (08) 8999 7151.
Can I appear by video from Nhulunbuy?
The Local Court accepts notifications of virtual appearance in some matters. Ask the registry well ahead of the date.
Is the court open to the public?
Yes, except for youth matters and any hearing a judge closes.