| Name | Court Room | Time |
|---|---|---|
| S**, A** PRESENT TO | Court 3 | 11:30AM |
| A**, O** OR | Court 6 | 2:15PM |
| D**, S** OR | Court 6 | 2:15PM |
Last updated: 10 Sep 2026, 10:00 am. Names are partially masked for privacy. Details may change — always check with the Registry.
If you are searching for the Elizabeth court listings, you have arrived at the right place. This page gives you fast, no-nonsense access to the daily criminal case list for the Elizabeth Magistrates Court, one of the busiest suburban courts serving the northern suburbs of Adelaide. Every sitting day the court publishes the names of defendants, the courtroom number, the presiding officer and the scheduled hearing time, and CourtListAU brings that information together in a clean, mobile-friendly format that needs no login, no registration and no fee. Whether you are a defendant confirming when to appear, a lawyer managing a full list, a family member offering support or a journalist covering local matters, the goal is simple: help you find the right hearing in seconds.
The Elizabeth Magistrates Court sits at 15 Frobisher Road, Elizabeth SA 5112, within the Elizabeth City Centre precinct in the City of Playford. It operates as one of the three metropolitan suburban registries of the Magistrates Court of South Australia, alongside Christies Beach and Port Adelaide. The registry is open from 9:00am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday, and general enquiries are handled through the statewide contact centre on (08) 8204 2444. Because Elizabeth serves a large and growing catchment across Adelaide's north, its criminal list is typically one of the heaviest outside the Adelaide Magistrates Court itself.
What the Elizabeth criminal court list shows you
The criminal list at Elizabeth covers the summary and minor indictable matters that make up the vast bulk of everyday criminal work in South Australia. Under the Magistrates Court Act 1991 (SA), the Magistrates Court is the entry point for almost every criminal charge laid in the state, and Elizabeth handles its share of that volume for the northern suburbs. On any given sitting day the list may include first appearances, bail applications, guilty pleas, sentencing, pre-trial mentions and committal proceedings for more serious charges that will later move to the District or Supreme Court.
Each entry on the daily list generally identifies the defendant, the courtroom, the type of hearing and the listed time. Reading it correctly saves a wasted trip and a lot of stress. If your matter is marked as a "mention", it is usually a short administrative appearance rather than a full hearing. If it is listed for "trial" or "sentence", you should expect a longer day and, in most cases, you should have legal representation ready. When you are unsure what a listing code means, the safest step is to contact the registry or your lawyer before the sitting date.
Types of criminal matters heard at Elizabeth
- Traffic and driving offences such as drink driving, driving while disqualified, and careless or dangerous driving.
- Minor assault and public order offences, including common assault and disorderly behaviour.
- Property offences such as theft, shop theft, dishonesty matters and property damage.
- Drug offences, most commonly possession and minor supply matters dealt with summarily.
- Breach matters, including breach of bail, breach of bond and breach of an intervention order.
- Committal proceedings for serious indictable charges before they are transferred to a higher court.
The Elizabeth court within the South Australian system
To understand where an Elizabeth listing fits, it helps to see the structure of the state's courts. The Magistrates Court is the lowest of the three tiers, sitting beneath the District Court and the Supreme Court. It was first established in 1837, originally as the Court of Petty Sessions, making it one of the oldest institutions in South Australian public life. Today, including the Chief Magistrate, there are 34 magistrates across South Australia, based in Adelaide and at the metropolitan courts of Christies Beach, Elizabeth, Mount Barker and Port Adelaide, along with a network of country registries.
In its criminal jurisdiction the Magistrates Court deals with summary offences and minor indictable offences, and it has the power to impose a fine, imprisonment, an intensive correction order that may include community service, or a good behaviour bond. Matters that are too serious to be finalised summarily begin their life here as a committal before being sent up. This is why an appearance at Elizabeth is often the first, and most important, step in a criminal case, even when the charge itself is one that a higher court will ultimately decide.
The scale of this work is significant. The Magistrates Court is consistently the busiest court in the state by volume, handling the overwhelming majority of criminal lodgements finalised in South Australia each year. National figures compiled by the Australian Bureau of Statistics in its annual Criminal Courts, Australia release confirm that magistrates' courts nationwide finalise the great bulk of criminal defendants, with the higher courts accounting for only a small fraction. Elizabeth, as a high-traffic suburban registry, carries a meaningful part of that state total on behalf of Adelaide's north.
Specialist and additional lists at Elizabeth
Beyond the mainstream criminal list, the Elizabeth Magistrates Court runs several specialist sittings that reflect the needs of its community. According to the Courts Administration Authority of South Australia, the Elizabeth registry hosts a Youth Court sitting on Tuesdays, a Domestic Violence Court on Thursdays, an Investigation and Examination Summons Court on Tuesdays, and Minor Civil Direction Hearings on Thursdays. Aboriginal Justice Officers support the court, and the South Australian Veterans Court also sits within this framework. If your matter falls into one of these categories, its listing may appear on a specialist list rather than the general criminal roll, so it is worth checking the correct day.
Why an accurate daily court list matters
Missing a court date has real consequences. If a defendant fails to appear, a magistrate can issue a warrant for arrest, deal with the matter in the person's absence, or forfeit bail. That is why confirming your listing on the morning of your hearing is one of the most practical things you can do. Listings can change at short notice: matters are adjourned, courtrooms are reallocated and start times shift as the day's business moves along. A current list is your best protection against turning up at the wrong time or the wrong courtroom.
For legal practitioners, an at-a-glance list is a daily working tool. A duty solicitor covering a busy Elizabeth roll needs to know how many matters are listed, in which courtroom, and in what order, so that clients are seen efficiently. For support workers and family members, the list offers reassurance and a way to be present when it counts. And for the public more broadly, open access to court lists reflects the principle of open justice, the idea that the administration of justice should happen in the light of day, not behind closed doors.
How to use this page effectively
- Check the list on the morning of your hearing, as late changes are common.
- Note your courtroom number and listed time, and allow extra time to clear security and find the room.
- Confirm whether your matter is a mention, a plea, a sentence or a committal, so you know what to expect.
- If you cannot find your name, contact the registry on (08) 8204 2444 or speak with your legal representative.
- Arrive early, dress respectfully and switch your phone to silent before entering the courtroom.
Getting to the Elizabeth Magistrates Court
The court sits within the Elizabeth City Centre, one of the largest retail and civic hubs in Adelaide's north, which makes it straightforward to reach by both car and public transport. The Elizabeth railway station on the Gawler line is close by, and regular bus services run through the centre. Parking is available around the shopping precinct. The Elizabeth Police Station is also nearby, reflecting the concentration of justice services in this part of Playford. If you are travelling from further afield, allow time for traffic on Main North Road and for the walk from the car park to the courthouse entrance.
Once inside, you will pass through security screening before reaching the courtrooms and registry counter. Court staff can direct you to the correct courtroom, but they cannot give legal advice. If you need help understanding your charge or your options, you should speak with a lawyer, the duty solicitor service, or the Legal Services Commission of South Australia before your hearing where possible.
Frequently asked questions
What time are the Elizabeth court listings published?
Daily criminal lists are generally available before the sitting day and are updated as matters are added, adjourned or reallocated. Because start times and courtroom numbers can change on the day, it is best to check again on the morning of your hearing rather than relying on a list viewed several days earlier.
Where is the Elizabeth Magistrates Court located?
The court is at 15 Frobisher Road, Elizabeth SA 5112, within the Elizabeth City Centre. The registry is open from 9:00am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday, and the statewide contact number is (08) 8204 2444.
What kinds of cases are heard at Elizabeth?
The court hears criminal, traffic and civil matters. On the criminal side this includes summary offences, minor indictable offences, bail applications, breach matters and committal proceedings for more serious charges that are later transferred to the District or Supreme Court.
Do I need a lawyer to appear at Elizabeth?
You are not required to have a lawyer, but legal representation is strongly recommended for anything beyond a simple administrative mention. A duty solicitor may be available at court, and free preliminary advice can often be obtained through community legal services before your hearing.
What happens if I miss my hearing at Elizabeth?
Failing to appear can lead to a warrant being issued, the matter being decided in your absence, or bail being forfeited. If you cannot attend for a genuine reason, contact the registry or your lawyer as early as possible rather than simply not showing up.
How is the Elizabeth court different from the Adelaide Magistrates Court?
Both are part of the same Magistrates Court of South Australia and apply the same law. The difference is catchment and volume: the Adelaide Magistrates Court case list serves the CBD and is the busiest in the state, while Elizabeth serves the northern suburbs. Nearby suburban options include the Christies Beach court listings to the south.
For a full picture of every registry in the state, from the metropolitan suburban courts to the country circuits, you can browse the complete SA court listings hub. If your matter has moved up to a higher jurisdiction, the SA District Court criminal listings will show where serious indictable charges are heard after committal. CourtListAU keeps each of these lists current so you can track a case as it moves through the South Australian court system, all in one place and without a paywall.
