The Supreme Court of the Northern Territory is the Territory's highest court, and its main home is the Supreme Court Building on State Square in Darwin, beside Parliament House. On the court's daily list, everything heard in this building sits under the heading Darwin Sittings, grouped by judge and courtroom. This page shows the Darwin Supreme Court list for the next sitting day as soon as it is released, and keeps the current day's list in view.
What the Supreme Court hears in Darwin
- criminal trials for serious indictable offences, heard by a judge and a jury of twelve;
- pleas and sentencing for serious offences, including matters committed from the Local Court;
- bail reviews from Local Court decisions;
- civil claims over $250,000, plus probate, corporations and other civil work;
- appeals from the Local Court (listed as LCA matters), heard by a single judge;
- the Court of Appeal (civil) and the Court of Criminal Appeal, each usually three judges.
Interlocutory applications and directions hearings are dealt with by the Associate Justice, sometimes in chambers or by Microsoft Teams.
How to read the Darwin Supreme Court list
The list is laid out by judicial officer. Each block starts with a line such as "Before Justice Kelly in Court 5", then gives each matter with its start time, the case title, the type of hearing in brackets and the file number. A few things to know:
- Case titles. Criminal matters are written "R v. [name]", meaning the Crown against the accused. Civil matters show both parties, for example a company against another company.
- "To follow". The matter will be called after the one above it finishes, so there is no fixed time.
- Hearing types. Plea, Sentence, Submissions, Voir Dire, Pre-trial Hearing, Bail Review, Directions Hearing and Decision are the most common.
- Video links. A note such as "via video-link to Alice Springs, Court 2" means a Darwin judge is hearing a matter with the parties in Alice Springs.
- Initials. Where the court has restricted publication, the accused is shown by initials only.
When the list is published
The Supreme Court publishes one daily list at a time, for the next sitting day. It usually goes up in the afternoon before, and the previous day's list is replaced. Late changes can happen overnight, so check again in the morning. Criminal callovers in Darwin run fortnightly on Thursdays through 2026, and the Court of Appeal sits in set blocks, such as 12 to 23 October and 7 to 18 December 2026.
Address, hours and contact
Supreme Court Building, State Square, Darwin NT 0800. Postal address: GPO Box 3946, Darwin NT 0801.
- Registry (Level 2): (08) 8999 6574, open 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday
- Sheriff's office: (08) 8999 6551, open 8.30am to 4pm Monday to Friday
- Jury enquiries: (08) 8999 7930
Registry staff can confirm whether a matter is listed and in which courtroom, but they cannot give legal advice.
Getting there
State Square is at the southern end of the CBD, off Mitchell Street and close to The Esplanade. Parliament House shares the square. City buses run along Mitchell Street, and there is paid parking around State Square and in the CBD. The darwin court list for the Local Court at Nichols Place is a short walk north.
Security
All visitors pass through security screening at the entrance. Weapons and dangerous items are prohibited, phones must be switched off in courtrooms, and photography and recording are not allowed without permission.
A short history
The Supreme Court of the Northern Territory was established on 30 May 1911, when the Commonwealth took over the Territory from South Australia. Its first seat was a stone courthouse built in 1884 on The Esplanade. A new courthouse at Mitchell and Herbert Streets opened in 1965, and the present building was formally opened in 1991. It was designed by architects Peter Doig, Ron Findlay and Roger Linklater, and the forecourt mosaic was designed by artist Norah Nelson Napaljarri. Inside are a main courtroom for the Court of Appeal and Full Court, four courtrooms fitted for jury trials and four for civil trials.
Other Supreme Court sittings
The court also sits permanently in Alice Springs; see the alice springs supreme court list. Circuit sittings are held in Katherine and, from time to time, Tennant Creek and Nhulunbuy. Every Territory list is on the nt court list page.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a Darwin Supreme Court list for tomorrow?
Yes. The court releases the next sitting day's list the afternoon before, and it appears here under the Tomorrow tab.
What does "Before Acting Associate Justice ... in Chambers" mean?
The matter is heard by the Associate Justice in chambers rather than an open courtroom, often a directions hearing that may be held by Teams.
Can I watch a Supreme Court trial in Darwin?
Yes. Most hearings are open to the public. Sit quietly, keep your phone off and follow the court officer's directions.
Where do Local Court appeals appear?
They are listed with an LCA number, for example "LCA 12/26", usually before a single judge.