The Supreme Court of the Northern Territory sits permanently in Alice Springs, in its own building at 14 Parsons Street. On the court's daily list, matters heard here are grouped under Alice Springs Sittings, set out by judge and courtroom. This page shows the Alice Springs Supreme Court list for the next sitting day once it is published and keeps the current day's list on hand.
What is heard
- jury trials for serious indictable offences from Central Australia and the Barkly;
- pleas, sentencing and breach of order hearings;
- voir dire hearings, where the judge rules on evidence before or during a trial;
- bail reviews from the Local Court;
- civil hearings, including claims over $250,000;
- Local Court appeal callovers, held at 1.30pm before the Registrar.
Some Alice Springs matters are heard by a judge sitting in Darwin, with the parties appearing by video link in Alice Springs Court 2. Those appear on the Darwin list with a note "via video-link to Alice Springs, Court 2".
Reading the Alice Springs Supreme Court list
Each block begins "Before Justice [name] in Court [number]". Under it are the start times, case titles, hearing types in brackets and file numbers. "R v." means the Crown against the accused. "To follow" means there is no fixed time and the matter will be called when the one before it finishes. Accused people whose names are restricted are shown by initials. Criminal file numbers are eight digits; civil files look like 2023-03009-SC.
Sitting pattern and publishing time
Criminal callovers in Alice Springs run fortnightly on Wednesdays through 2026, for example 21 October, 4 November, 18 November, 2 December and 16 December. Trials and pleas are listed in the weeks between. The court publishes one list at a time, for the next sitting day, usually in the afternoon before, and the earlier list is replaced.
Address and contact
Supreme Court Alice Springs, 14 Parsons Street, Alice Springs NT 0870. Postal address: GPO Box 2134, Alice Springs NT 0871.
- Registry and jury enquiries: (08) 8951 5711
- Registry manager: (08) 8951 5727
Staff can confirm whether a matter is listed and in which court, but cannot give legal advice.
Getting there
The building is in the town centre on Parsons Street, close to Todd Mall and next to the Alice Springs Local Court. Street parking is available nearby but fills on trial days. Allow time to pass through security screening at the entrance, where weapons and dangerous items are prohibited and phones must be switched off in court.
History of the court in Alice Springs
The Supreme Court began circuit sittings in Alice Springs in 1935. After the bombing of Darwin in February 1942, Alice Springs became the court's principal seat until it moved back to Darwin in 1947 and 1948. The Old Courthouse, opened in 1928, still stands on Parsons Street, and new law courts opened on the same street in 1980. The current Supreme Court building opened in 2017 and is one of the tallest buildings in town. When it opened, the Chief Justice of the day remarked that its size was not meant to set the court above the community.
Related lists
Most criminal cases start in the Local Court next door; see the alice springs court list. The court's main building is in Darwin, covered by the darwin supreme court list. All Territory lists are linked from the nt court list page.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Alice Springs Supreme Court list for tomorrow available?
The court releases it the afternoon before. Open the Tomorrow tab once it has been published.
Why is my Alice Springs matter on the Darwin list?
A Darwin judge may hear it by video link to Alice Springs Court 2. You still attend in Alice Springs unless told otherwise.
What is a voir dire?
A hearing, usually without the jury, where the judge decides whether evidence can be used at trial.
Can the public attend?
Yes, most hearings are open. Some evidence, such as pre-recorded evidence of vulnerable witnesses, may be heard in a closed court.