| Name | Court Room | Time |
|---|---|---|
| K** Jane L** v D** F** | Court 1 | TBA |
Last updated: 30 Apr 2026, 9:36 am. Names are partially masked for privacy. Details may change — always check with the Registry.
The Kadina civil court list is the daily record of minor and general civil matters scheduled to be heard at the Kadina Magistrates Court, located at Graves Street, Kadina SA 5554, on the north-western Yorke Peninsula. Kadina is a circuit court, which means it does not sit every business day. Instead, a magistrate travels to the town on scheduled circuit sitting days, and the civil list is published for those dates only. If you are a party, a witness, a legal practitioner or simply tracking a debt recovery matter, checking the current listing tells you whether your case is proceeding, which courtroom it has been allocated to, and the time you are expected to attend.
Kadina is the largest town on the Yorke Peninsula and one of the three Copper Triangle towns, with a recorded urban population of 4,666 at the 2021 Census. Sitting roughly 144 kilometres north-north-west of Adelaide, the town services a wide rural catchment across the Copper Coast, which makes its circuit court an important access point for civil justice in the region. Because the registry function for many procedural steps is coordinated through the wider South Australian courts network, understanding how the Kadina civil list fits into the state system helps you plan your attendance and avoid missing a hearing.
What the Kadina Civil Court List Covers
The civil jurisdiction at Kadina operates under the Magistrates Court Act 1991 (SA) and the Magistrates Court (Civil) Rules 2013. The Magistrates Court itself was first established in 1837, originally as the Court of Petty Sessions, making it the oldest and busiest tier of the South Australian court system. In its civil capacity, the court is a court of both law and equity, so it can order the payment of money and also direct a party to do something specific, such as hand over property or carry out work.
Civil matters at Kadina generally fall into two streams. The Civil (Minor Claims) Division handles claims up to $12,000, a threshold that has applied since 1 August 2016 after being reduced from the earlier $25,000 limit. The Civil (General Claims) Division deals with disputes valued between $12,001 and $100,000. Claims that exceed $100,000 are not heard in the Magistrates Court at all and must instead be commenced in the District Court Civil Division. Knowing which division applies to your dispute is the first step, because it determines the forms, the fees and the procedure that will govern your matter.
Minor civil claims explained
Minor civil claims are designed to be accessible and relatively informal. Common examples on a Kadina civil list include unpaid debts, disputes over goods and services, minor property damage and neighbourhood disputes such as fencing or trespass matters brought under statutes like the Fences Act. In this division parties are generally expected to represent themselves and are not entitled to legal representation except in special circumstances, for instance where both parties have lawyers or where one party would be unfairly disadvantaged without representation.
A useful practical point is that before filing, a claimant is usually expected to send the other party a Final Notice of Claim or letter of demand, giving the respondent 21 days to settle before proceedings begin. If that notice is not sent, or the 21 days have not passed, the claimant may be unable to recover the cost of filing the claim. A free mediation service is offered by the Magistrates Court once a minor claim is filed, and many matters resolve at that stage without ever reaching a contested hearing.
General civil claims explained
For claims above $12,000 and up to $100,000, the general claims process applies. These matters commonly involve contractual disputes, larger debts and personal injury. A general claim is commenced using a Claim and Statement of Claim, and a filing fee applies that scales with the value of the claim. After a defence is filed, the registry issues a notice for a directions hearing, and the court will also hold a conciliation conference aimed at resolving the dispute without a trial. A defendant generally has 28 days to enter a defence, so diarising that deadline the moment you are served is critical.
Kadina Court Details at a Glance
- Court name: Kadina Magistrates Court (civil circuit)
- Address: Graves Street, Kadina SA 5554
- Postcode and DX: 5554, DX 51308
- Court type: Circuit court, open on scheduled sitting days only
- Governing law: Magistrates Court Act 1991 (SA); Magistrates Court (Civil) Rules 2013
- Minor claims limit: Up to $12,000
- General claims limit: $12,001 to $100,000
- Above $100,000: District Court Civil Division
- Region served: Copper Coast and wider Yorke Peninsula
How Circuit Sitting Days Affect Your Listing
Because Kadina is one of eleven country Magistrates Court locations in South Australia, alongside Berri, Ceduna, Mount Barker, Mount Gambier, Murray Bridge, Port Augusta, Port Lincoln, Port Pirie, Tanunda and Whyalla, its bench is served by visiting magistrates rather than a permanently resident one. There are 34 magistrates across South Australia, and they rotate through country and circuit locations. The practical consequence for civil parties is that hearing dates cluster on specific sitting days, so the published civil list may cover several matters listed together for a single circuit date.
This is why checking the current list matters so much. A matter can be adjourned to the next available circuit day rather than the next business day, which can shift a hearing by weeks. Always confirm the date, time and courtroom against the latest published list, and treat any list as provisional because details can change between the time it is generated and the day of the hearing. If you are unsure, contact the registry to verify before travelling, particularly given the distances many parties cover to reach Kadina.
Preparing for a Civil Hearing at Kadina
Good preparation improves your prospects regardless of which side of a civil dispute you are on. Gather the documents that support your position, including contracts, invoices, correspondence, quotes, photographs and records of any payment requests. In a minor civil matter where you will most likely present your own case, organise your evidence into a clear chronology so you can explain what happened in plain, logical order. Bring copies for the magistrate and the other party, and arrive early to allow time for security and to locate the correct courtroom.
If your matter is a debt recovery claim and the debtor still does not pay after an order is made, enforcement options exist. These can include applying for a garnishee order or the seizure and sale of property. Time limits also apply under the Limitation of Actions Act 1936 (SA), so a claim should not be left indefinitely. If you are researching a range of South Australian venues before deciding where a matter should be filed, the statewide SA court listings hub gives you a single reference point for suburban, country and circuit courts.
Related South Australian Civil and Criminal Lists
Many people tracking a Kadina matter also need to follow related proceedings at nearby or connected venues. Where a matter is escalated above the Magistrates Court threshold, or where a party is dealing with parallel proceedings, it helps to be able to jump between lists quickly. The Adelaide magistrates court case list is a frequent reference point because Adelaide serves as the principal registry for much of the state's civil administration.
Kadina also runs a separate criminal circuit alongside its civil work. If you are attending on a criminal or traffic matter rather than a civil dispute, the Kadina court listings for criminal matters set out those hearings separately. And for higher-value disputes that have moved beyond the $100,000 Magistrates Court ceiling, the district court listings SA cover matters heard in the District Court Civil Division.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Kadina civil court open every day?
No. Kadina Magistrates Court is a circuit court and only opens on scheduled sitting days when a magistrate travels to the town. Civil matters are listed for those specific dates, so you should always check the current list rather than assume the court sits daily.
What is the maximum amount I can claim in a minor civil matter at Kadina?
The minor claims limit is $12,000. Claims between $12,001 and $100,000 proceed as general civil claims, and anything above $100,000 must be commenced in the District Court Civil Division.
Do I need a lawyer for a minor civil claim?
In the minor claims division you are generally expected to represent yourself, and legal representation is only permitted in special circumstances. You can still obtain legal advice to prepare your documents and understand your position before the hearing.
What should I do before filing a civil claim?
Send the other party a Final Notice of Claim or letter of demand giving them 21 days to settle. If you file without doing this, you may be unable to recover your filing costs even if you win.
How long does a civil claim take to resolve?
Most minor civil claims are resolved within a few months, though the timeframe depends on the complexity of the matter, whether it settles at mediation, and the circuit sitting schedule at Kadina.
What happens if the other party does not pay after a court order?
You can pursue enforcement action, which may include a garnishee order or the seizure and sale of the debtor's property. The registry can explain the forms and fees involved in enforcement.
Can details on the published civil list change?
Yes. A list is provisional and details can change between the time it is generated and the hearing date. Always confirm the date, time and courtroom with the registry, especially before travelling a long distance to Kadina.
