QLD Beenleigh Magistrates Court List Today

The Beenleigh Magistrates Court sits at the commercial heart of Logan City, on the corner of Kent and James Streets in Beenleigh QLD 4207, roughly 35 kilometres south of the Brisbane CBD and about 50 kilometres north of the Gold Coast. As one of the busiest first-instance courts in South East Queensland, it processes a high daily volume of criminal, traffic, domestic violence and civil matters for the Logan and southern Brisbane corridor. This page helps you track what is listed before the court each day, confirm hearing dates, and understand how the Beenleigh courthouse fits within the wider Queensland court system, so you can prepare for a mention, plea, callover or defended hearing with confidence.

Beenleigh is a fast-growing urban centre in the City of Logan, an area that recorded a population of 345,098 at the 2021 Census and ranks as the seventh most populous local government area in Australia. The suburb of Beenleigh itself had 8,425 residents at that census, with an estimated resident population of about 8,825 by 2023 and a population density of roughly 1,120 people per square kilometre. Because the courthouse draws matters from across a densely populated catchment that stretches from the Logan River to the northern Gold Coast, the daily law list at Beenleigh is consistently long and moves quickly. Checking the list in advance is the single best way to avoid a wasted trip and a missed appearance.

What the Beenleigh Magistrates Court daily law list covers

The daily law list for Beenleigh is published each sitting day and sets out every person scheduled to appear, the type of matter, and the courtroom to which each case has been allocated. The court operates across two levels, with Magistrates Court matters heard on the ground level and both Magistrates Court and District Court matters heard on the second level. On any given day, more than one courtroom is usually running, with separate lists for criminal, traffic, civil, domestic violence and children's matters. The building is fitted with videoconferencing facilities, a remote witness room and Wi-Fi, which allows some parties and witnesses to take part without attending in person.

The range of proceedings you will find on the Beenleigh list is broad. Common matter types include the following:

• Summary criminal offences such as minor assault, public order offences, low-level drug possession and small-value theft.
• Traffic and driving matters, including drink driving, drug driving, unlicensed driving, driving while disqualified and dangerous driving.
• Domestic and family violence protection order applications, which are heard in a closed court.
• Civil disputes up to the Magistrates Court monetary limit of $150,000.
• Bail and remand applications and early appearances for more serious charges that may later be committed to a higher court.
• Committal hearings for indictable offences that will ultimately be finalised in the District or Supreme Court.
• Sentence and defended hearings for matters that remain within the Magistrates Court's summary jurisdiction.

How the Beenleigh court list is organised each day

Matters are grouped by courtroom and by session, typically with a morning callover from around 8:30am followed by mentions, applications and hearings through the day. Arriving early matters, because the Beenleigh Town Square precinct becomes busy near the 8:30am start and security screening can create queues. If your matter is a first mention, it will usually be dealt with quickly, while defended hearings and contested applications are allocated longer blocks of time. Reading the list before you leave home tells you which courtroom to go to and roughly where in the order your matter sits, which reduces stress and helps you plan your day around work or family commitments.

Registry details, opening hours and contact information

The Beenleigh Magistrates Court registry is open from 8:30am to 4:30pm on Monday and Wednesday to Friday, and from 8:30am to 4:00pm on Tuesday. The postal address is PO Box 383, Beenleigh QLD 4207, and the courthouse can be contacted by phone on (07) 3081 2100 and by email at courthouse.beenleigh@justice.qld.gov.au. Registry staff can assist with filing documents, confirming listings and general procedural questions, though they cannot give legal advice. If you need to speak with staff in person, it is sensible to phone ahead, as the counter can be busy during peak listing periods.

Getting to the Beenleigh courthouse

The court sits within the Beenleigh Town Square, a short walk from the Beenleigh railway station on the Beenleigh line, which makes public transport a practical option for many attendees. Beenleigh is also a major rail interchange linking the Logan and Gold Coast corridors, so travel from Brisbane, Loganholme, Eagleby, Holmview and surrounding suburbs is straightforward. There are cafes, food outlets and the nearby Beenleigh Marketplace for anyone facing a long wait between sessions. If you are driving, plan for the morning congestion around the CBD and allow extra time to find parking before your matter is called.

Where the Magistrates Court fits in the Queensland court hierarchy

The Magistrates Court is the entry point for almost every criminal matter in Queensland. Around 130 courthouses operate across the state, and the overwhelming majority of legal proceedings begin at this level before any progression to a higher court. Beenleigh is one of only a handful of centres that hosts both a Magistrates Court and a co-located District Court, alongside Brisbane, Ipswich, Maroochydore, Southport, Cairns, Townsville and Rockhampton. This means serious indictable matters that start with a committal at Beenleigh can, in appropriate cases, be finalised in the Beenleigh District Court without parties needing to travel into the Brisbane CBD.

The District Court of Queensland is the intermediate tier of the court system. It sits in 32 locations across the state and currently has 39 judicial positions, hearing more serious criminal trials and larger civil disputes, as well as appeals from decisions of the Magistrates Court. Above it sits the Supreme Court of Queensland, which handles the most serious criminal matters and the highest-value civil litigation. Understanding this structure helps you follow where a matter listed at Beenleigh may travel next, and why some cases that appear briefly at the Magistrates Court are later listed in a higher court.

Children's Court and closed proceedings

Matters involving defendants under the age of 18 are dealt with through the Children's Court jurisdiction, and both domestic violence and children's matters are heard in a closed court that members of the public cannot observe. For open criminal, traffic and civil matters, any member of the public is generally free to sit in the public gallery at the back of the courtroom. Decisions of the Beenleigh Magistrates Court are usually not published, so if you need the outcome of a particular matter, the court registry is the appropriate point of contact.

A brief history of Beenleigh and its court precinct

Beenleigh has a long history as a regional administrative hub. A government survey mapped out the town in 1866, and the settlement grew around agriculture, with sugar emerging as the leading crop in the surrounding district. The Beenleigh railway line first opened in 1885, and the town served as the administrative centre of the former Shire of Albert. From around 1,200 residents in 1950, the population reached 2,458 by 1971 and 7,839 by 1981, reflecting the steady suburban growth of the Brisbane to Gold Coast corridor. Today Beenleigh is a key transport and commercial centre for Logan City, which helps explain why its courthouse carries such a substantial and varied caseload.

Preparing for your appearance at Beenleigh Magistrates Court

Whether you are appearing for a first mention, entering a plea or attending a defended hearing, a little preparation goes a long way. Confirm your listing on the daily law list, note your courtroom, and arrive with enough time to clear security. The court offers a duty lawyer service for eligible defendants, though the duty lawyer generally cannot represent people in lower-level traffic matters where the risk of imprisonment is low. If your matter is complex or carries a real prospect of a serious penalty, obtaining your own legal representation before the day is strongly advisable. Dress neatly, bring any documents relevant to your matter, and be ready to address the magistrate directly if you are unrepresented.

If you are supporting a family member or friend, remember that domestic violence and children's matters are closed, so you may not be able to sit in on those proceedings. For open matters, the public gallery is available and can be a useful way to understand court process before your own matter is called. For anyone travelling from further afield in Logan City or the northern Gold Coast, the court's location within the Beenleigh Town Square makes it easy to combine your court attendance with other errands in the town centre.

Nearby Queensland courts and related listings

Because matters move between courts, and because catchments overlap across South East Queensland, it can help to check listings at neighbouring venues as well. If your matter progresses beyond the summary jurisdiction, you may find it listed at the Beenleigh Supreme and District Court. For those in the northern Gold Coast catchment, the Southport Magistrates Court list is a common alternative venue, while defendants closer to the city may have matters at the Brisbane Magistrates Court. You can also browse every Queensland location through the full Queensland Magistrates Court directory to find the right daily law list for your matter.

Frequently asked questions about the Beenleigh Magistrates Court list

How do I find my name on the Beenleigh court list?

The daily law list names every person appearing that day, the type of matter, and the allocated courtroom. Check the list before you travel, and confirm your courtroom on the printed list displayed as you pass through security at the courthouse. If you cannot locate your matter, contact the registry on (07) 3081 2100 to confirm your listing.

What time should I arrive at Beenleigh Magistrates Court?

Most sittings begin around 8:30am, and the Beenleigh CBD becomes busy at that time. Aim to arrive at least 30 minutes early so you have time to park, clear security screening and find your courtroom before your matter is called.

Can the public watch matters at Beenleigh Magistrates Court?

Yes, for most open criminal, traffic and civil matters you can sit in the public gallery. Domestic violence and children's matters are heard in a closed court and are not open to the public.

What types of matters are heard at Beenleigh?

The court hears summary criminal offences, traffic and drink driving matters, domestic and family violence applications, civil disputes up to $150,000, bail applications, committal hearings and both sentence and defended hearings for the Logan and southern Brisbane region.

Is there a duty lawyer at Beenleigh Magistrates Court?

A duty lawyer service is available for eligible defendants, but it generally does not cover lower-level traffic matters where imprisonment is unlikely. For serious or complex matters, arranging your own legal representation ahead of time is recommended.

Does Beenleigh have a District Court as well?

Yes. Beenleigh is one of a small number of Queensland centres that hosts a co-located District Court, so more serious matters that start at the Magistrates Court can, in appropriate cases, be finalised locally rather than in the Brisbane CBD.