| Name | Court Room | Time |
|---|---|---|
| R** TO WORK CORPORATION OF SOUTH A** v M** Graham R** | Court 1 | TBA |
Last updated: 04 Aug 2026, 10:17 am. Names are partially masked for privacy. Details may change — always check with the Registry.
The Mount Barker Magistrates Court sits at 37 Hutchinson Street, Mount Barker, South Australia 5251, serving the Adelaide Hills as one of the state's busiest regional civil registries. This page publishes the daily civil listings for the court, giving parties, solicitors, witnesses and members of the public a fast way to confirm hearing dates, courtroom allocations and the judicial officer assigned to each matter. Because the venue operates on a circuit basis, sitting days are scheduled rather than continuous, so checking the current list before you travel is the single most reliable way to avoid a wasted trip to a town that sits roughly 33 kilometres from the Adelaide CBD.
Mount Barker is one of the fastest growing centres in South Australia. The wider district council area recorded a population of 39,217 at the 2021 Census, and the town itself has been projected to reach around 46,000 residents by 2025. That rapid growth in the Adelaide Hills has increased demand on local civil justice services, which is exactly why an accurate, up to date court list matters for the community relying on this registry.
What the Mount Barker civil list covers
The civil jurisdiction of the Magistrates Court of South Australia is where most everyday money disputes are resolved. It is divided into two streams. The Minor Civil Claims (or minor claims) division deals with matters valued up to $12,000, while the Civil (General Claims) division handles disputes from $12,001 up to $100,000. Anything above $100,000 is dealt with in the District Court Civil Division rather than at a Magistrates Court venue such as Mount Barker.
These monetary thresholds are set under the Magistrates Court Act 1991 (SA) and are the same across every regional and metropolitan registry in the state. Whether a claim is filed at Mount Barker, at a metropolitan venue, or through the online CourtSA portal, the same jurisdictional limits apply, which makes the daily list a consistent point of reference no matter where in South Australia your matter is heard.
Typical civil matters listed at Mount Barker
- Debt recovery for unpaid invoices, loans and services, which forms the single largest category of minor civil claims across the state.
- Contract disputes involving tradespeople, suppliers, small businesses and consumers.
- Property and consumer claims, including faulty goods and disputed services.
- Personal injury and general claims that fall within the general division threshold of up to $100,000.
- Minor statutory proceedings, such as neighbourhood disputes over trespass, nuisance and applications under the Fences Act.
Why the minor claims process is designed for self-represented parties
The minor civil claims division is deliberately informal. In matters up to $12,000, parties generally represent themselves and are not entitled to legal representation except in special circumstances or where the court grants permission. This design lowers the cost of pursuing or defending a claim and keeps the process accessible for individuals and small businesses. There is no barrier to obtaining legal advice while preparing your case, even where a lawyer will not appear for you at the hearing, so many people seek guidance on evidence and procedure before their listing date.
Before a claim is filed, a Final Notice of Claim or letter of demand is usually sent to the other party, giving them 21 days to settle and avoid legal action. When a minor claim is filed, the Magistrates Court also offers a free mediation service to help resolve the dispute without a full hearing. Understanding these steps helps you interpret where your matter sits on the list, because a listing may be a directions hearing, a conciliation conference or a trial.
How to read your listing
Each entry on the Mount Barker civil list typically shows the case number, the party names, the type of hearing and the presiding judicial officer. Lists are commonly published by judicial officer, so you may see a civil list by magistrate rather than a single combined roll. The registry advises that details can change between the time a list is generated and the sitting day, so it is always wise to confirm specifics with the registry if anything appears inconsistent.
Getting to the Mount Barker Magistrates Court
The courthouse is located at 37 Hutchinson Street in the centre of Mount Barker, within the Adelaide Hills region of Greater Adelaide. The venue provides an interview room and offers portable easy listening devices on request when arranged before your attendance, along with accessibility support. A duty solicitor service has historically been available on set days, so parties who need urgent guidance should check current availability with the registry ahead of time.
Because Mount Barker operates as a circuit court, it is open on scheduled sitting days rather than every business day. For anything the local registry cannot action on a non sitting day, enquiries are directed to the Adelaide Magistrates Court, which coordinates regional civil and criminal listings across the state.
Mount Barker in the wider South Australian court network
Mount Barker is one of a network of country Magistrates Courts in South Australia that also includes Berri, Ceduna, Kadina, Mount Gambier, Murray Bridge, Port Augusta, Port Lincoln, Port Pirie, Tanunda and Whyalla. Statewide, the Magistrates Court has 34 magistrates including the Chief Magistrate, and the court traces its establishment back to 1837, making it one of the oldest continuous judicial institutions in the state. Mount Barker is also recognised as one of the metropolitan-tier venues alongside Christies Beach, Elizabeth and Port Adelaide where magistrates are based.
If your matter has a criminal element as well as a civil one, you can review the separate Mount Barker criminal court list to track both streams. Parties whose disputes exceed the $100,000 Magistrates Court ceiling will find their matters listed instead on the SA District Court civil list, which handles higher value general claims across the state.
Fees, timeframes and enforcement
Filing a civil claim attracts a court fee that varies with the type and value of the matter, and a listing trial fee may apply if a general claim proceeds to trial. Once a claim is lodged through the CourtSA portal, it is the applicant's responsibility to notify and serve the other parties, with service available by post, email, in person, through a legal representative, or by Sheriff service for a fee.
Most minor civil claims are resolved within a few months, though timeframes depend on the complexity of the dispute and the court's workload. If a debtor does not comply with a court order, the successful party may pursue enforcement action such as a garnishee order or the seizure of property. Knowing these stages helps you anticipate how many times a single matter may reappear on the Mount Barker civil list before it is finalised.
Keeping the list accurate and current
Court lists are generated from the official registry system and can be amended at short notice when matters settle, adjourn or are reallocated to a different courtroom. Adjournments are common in civil practice, particularly where parties are still exchanging documents or attempting mediation, so a matter that appears one week may be relisted for a later date. Checking the list on the morning of your hearing, and again if you are travelling from outside the Adelaide Hills, is the safest approach.
For residents comparing venues across the state, you can browse every South Australian registry through the South Australia court list hub, which links to civil and criminal listings for metropolitan and regional courts. Those with matters in the capital may prefer the Adelaide Magistrates civil list, which handles the highest volume of civil work in the state and coordinates the circuit that includes Mount Barker.
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum amount I can claim in a Mount Barker minor civil claim?
Minor civil claims in the Magistrates Court of South Australia are capped at $12,000. Claims from $12,001 to $100,000 are heard in the Civil (General Claims) division, and anything above $100,000 proceeds to the District Court.
Do I need a lawyer for a civil matter at Mount Barker?
In the minor claims division you generally represent yourself, and legal representation is not permitted except in special circumstances or with the court's permission. You can still obtain legal advice to prepare your case, and representation is more common in general claims matters.
Is the Mount Barker Magistrates Court open every day?
No. Mount Barker operates as a circuit court and sits on scheduled days. For matters that cannot be handled on a non sitting day, contact the Adelaide Magistrates Court.
Where is the court located?
The Mount Barker Magistrates Court is at 37 Hutchinson Street, Mount Barker, South Australia 5251, in the Adelaide Hills, about 33 kilometres from the Adelaide CBD.
Why has my matter moved to a different date on the list?
Civil matters are frequently adjourned while parties exchange documents, attempt mediation or await a conciliation conference. Because details can change after a list is generated, confirm your hearing date and courtroom with the registry.
