The Cleveland Magistrates Court sits at the heart of the criminal, civil and family law system for the Redlands region, serving one of South East Queensland's fastest growing coastal communities. Located at 5 Middle Street, Cleveland QLD 4163, this courthouse handles the daily law list for residents across Cleveland, Capalaba, Alexandra Hills, Victoria Point, Redland Bay, Thornlands and the Southern Moreton Bay Islands. If you have been summonsed to appear, are supporting a family member, or simply want to check the Cleveland court list today, understanding how this court operates helps you arrive prepared and reduces the stress of a first appearance.
Cleveland is the administrative seat of Redland City, a local government area with a usual resident population of 159,222 recorded at the 2021 Census and an estimated resident population of 166,809 by 2023. The suburb of Cleveland itself was home to 15,850 people at the 2021 Census across an area of just 15.8 square kilometres. Because the court draws matters from the wider Redlands catchment of more than 160,000 residents, the two courtrooms operating here can be busy, and daily lists frequently run across criminal, traffic, domestic violence and civil callovers.
Where the Cleveland Magistrates Court Sits in Queensland's Court System
The Magistrates Court is the entry point for almost every matter in the Queensland justice system. It is constituted under the Justices Act 1886 and hears and determines all Local, State and Commonwealth summary offences, along with a wide range of indictable offences. Statewide, the Magistrates Courts finalise the overwhelming majority of criminal matters, which is why the daily list at a court like Cleveland moves a high volume of cases compared with the higher courts.
To put the scale in context, the Australian Bureau of Statistics recorded 114,670 defendants finalised in Queensland courts during the 2024 to 2025 financial year, representing 22 per cent of all defendants nationally. The rate of defendants finalised was 2,298 per 100,000 persons aged 10 years and over. The vast bulk of those matters begin, and are resolved, in Magistrates Courts such as Cleveland rather than in the District or Supreme Courts.
What Types of Matters Are Heard at Cleveland
On any given sitting day the two courtrooms at Cleveland may be assigned to hear criminal charges, traffic offences, trials, civil disputes, domestic violence order applications and Childrens Court matters. Traffic and vehicle offences remain the single largest category of work across Queensland courts, accounting for 36 per cent, or 40,928 defendants, in 2024 to 2025. Offences against justice procedures and orders made up a further 15 per cent, or 17,747 defendants. These same categories dominate the typical Cleveland list.
- Criminal offences: assault, stealing, drug possession, public nuisance and breaches of bail.
- Traffic matters: drink driving, unlicensed driving, speeding and demerit point suspensions.
- Domestic and family violence: applications for protection orders and variations.
- Civil disputes: minor debt and contractual claims within the Magistrates Court limit.
- Committals: where an indictable offence is committed to the District or Supreme Court.
Where the court does not have jurisdiction to finalise an indictable offence, a committal hearing is conducted to decide whether there is sufficient evidence to commit the defendant to the District Court or Supreme Court. Many serious matters that start at Cleveland are ultimately sentenced elsewhere, such as at the Brisbane Magistrates Court complex or in the higher courts sitting in Brisbane.
Cleveland Magistrates Court Contact Details and Location
The court is located in central Cleveland, close to the Redland City Council chambers and cultural precinct. Cleveland is roughly 25 kilometres east-south-east of the Brisbane central business district and functions as a transport hub for the Moreton Bay islands. The details below are the verified public contact points for the registry.
- Address: 5 Middle Street, PO Box 10, Cleveland QLD 4163
- Telephone: (07) 3383 0733
- Fax: (07) 3383 0744
- Email: courthouse.cleveland@justice.qld.gov.au
- Business hours: 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; 8:30am to 4:00pm Wednesday
The courthouse has a security screening entrance. Once you have passed through screening, volunteers help you locate your name on the list and direct you to the correct courtroom. Public parking is available nearby at the Redland Performing Arts Centre. Arriving at least 30 minutes before your listed time gives you room to clear security, find your courtroom and speak with duty lawyers or the police prosecutor if required.
A Note on Cleveland's Historic Courthouses
Cleveland has a long judicial heritage. The Old Cleveland Court House at 1 Paxton Street traces its brick core to around 1853 and was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992. A later Cleveland Police Station and Court House at 1 Passage Street was constructed in 1934 to 1935 and heritage listed on 26 March 1999. The modern court on Middle Street continues a tradition of local justice in the Redlands that stretches back more than 170 years.
How to Read and Use the Cleveland Daily Law List
Each sitting day the court publishes a list naming every person scheduled to appear and the courtroom they have been assigned. Checking the list before you travel confirms your courtroom, your approximate time and whether your matter is proceeding as a mention, a callover or a hearing. Because the Cleveland list can span both courtrooms, arriving early and locating your name with the help of court volunteers avoids missing a called matter, which can lead to a warrant being issued for your arrest.
The court also publishes an annual calendar setting out when particular categories of matter are heard. For example, drink driving and other traffic matters are often listed on specific days of the week, allowing a magistrate and police prosecutor to be assigned to that stream. If you are unsure which day your matter falls on, the registry can confirm it, or you can review the published daily list online the evening before.
What Happens on Your First Appearance
At a first mention, a police prosecutor, who is independent of the arresting officer, presents the matter on behalf of the Queensland Police Service. You will usually be given the Police Prosecutor's Court Brief, commonly called a QP9, which sets out what the police allege occurred. From there you can seek an adjournment to obtain legal advice, enter a plea, or ask for the matter to be dealt with on the day. Duty lawyers from Legal Aid Queensland may be available at court to give preliminary guidance if you do not yet have your own representation.
Domestic Violence, Youth and Civil Work at Cleveland
Domestic and family violence protection order applications are a significant part of the Magistrates Court workload statewide. According to the Magistrates Courts of Queensland Annual Report for 2024 to 2025, domestic violence protection order applications totalled 25,871 across the state, and child protection applications reached 8,123, a 22.59 per cent increase on the previous year. Cleveland hears its share of these sensitive applications, and the court has arrangements to support applicants and respondents through the process.
When a magistrate constitutes the Childrens Court, its criminal jurisdiction is exercised under the Youth Justice Act 1992. Magistrates sitting in the Childrens Court finalise approximately 95 per cent of all Childrens Court criminal matters in Queensland, meaning the great majority of youth matters never need to progress to a Childrens Court judge. Civil disputes within the Magistrates Court monetary limit, including minor debt claims, are also determined at Cleveland.
Neighbouring Courts in the Region
The Redlands sits within a cluster of South East Queensland Magistrates Courts, and matters are sometimes transferred between them depending on where an offence occurred or where a defendant resides. Nearby registries include Wynnum Magistrates Court to the north, the Beenleigh court list to the south-west, and the Redcliffe Magistrates Court across Moreton Bay. Knowing which court holds your matter is essential, as appearing at the wrong location will not satisfy a bail or summons obligation.
Preparing for Your Day at Cleveland Magistrates Court
Preparation makes a measurable difference to how a court day unfolds. Bring photo identification, any paperwork you have received, and the details of your legal representative if you have one. Dress neatly, silence your phone, and address the magistrate as "Your Honour". If you cannot attend on your listed date, contact the registry or your solicitor as early as possible, because failing to appear without arranging an adjournment can result in the matter proceeding in your absence or a warrant being issued.
For traffic and drink driving matters, completing an approved Traffic Offenders Program before your court date can demonstrate rehabilitation and may positively influence the magistrate's decision on penalty. For criminal matters, obtaining early legal advice about your QP9 helps you understand the strength of the police case and your options before you enter a plea.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Cleveland Magistrates Court located?
The court is at 5 Middle Street, Cleveland QLD 4163, in central Cleveland near the Redland City Council chambers. Public parking is available at the nearby Redland Performing Arts Centre, and the building has a security screening entrance staffed by court volunteers.
What are the Cleveland Magistrates Court opening hours?
Registry hours are 8:30am to 4:30pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and 8:30am to 4:00pm on Wednesday. You can reach the registry by phone on (07) 3383 0733 during these hours.
How do I check the Cleveland court list for today or tomorrow?
A daily law list naming every person appearing and their assigned courtroom is published each sitting day. Reviewing the Cleveland court list the evening before, or on arrival with the help of court volunteers, confirms your courtroom and approximate time so you do not miss your matter being called.
What types of cases does Cleveland Magistrates Court hear?
The two courtrooms handle criminal charges, traffic offences including drink driving, domestic violence order applications, civil disputes within the Magistrates Court limit, committal hearings and Childrens Court matters. Traffic and justice procedure offences are the most common categories heard across Queensland courts.
What should I do if I cannot attend on my court date?
Contact the registry on (07) 3383 0733 or your solicitor as early as possible to seek an adjournment. Failing to appear without arranging this can lead to the matter being decided in your absence or a warrant being issued for your arrest, so acting promptly is important.
Is Cleveland Magistrates Court the right court for my matter?
Cleveland hears matters arising in the Redlands catchment, but some cases are listed at neighbouring courts such as Wynnum, Beenleigh or Redcliffe depending on where the offence occurred. Always confirm the correct location on your summons or bail paperwork before travelling.