WA Magistrates Court – Broome Courthouse List Today

The Broome Magistrates Court is the busiest court venue in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, sitting at Hamersley Street, Broome WA 6725, at the corner of Weld Street. Operated by the Western Australian Department of Justice, this courthouse delivers frontline access to justice for a population of roughly 17,000 residents across the Shire of Broome, which spans more than 55,700 square kilometres. On a single sitting day the Broome Courthouse can list around 90 or more matters, placing it among the highest-volume regional courtrooms in the state and reflecting the sustained demand for judicial services across the wider West Kimberley.

If you need to check who is appearing, when a matter is scheduled, or which courtroom a case has been allocated to, the daily Broome court list is the fastest way to plan your day. Court lists are typically published each afternoon and updated overnight to account for arrests and urgent applications, so it pays to refresh the listings before you travel. Because Broome sits at the heart of a remote circuit, sitting arrangements can change at short notice, and confirming the current list is the single most reliable step you can take before attending.

Where the Broome Courthouse Sits in the WA Court System

Western Australia runs a three-tier court hierarchy, and the Broome Courthouse is a working hub for all three levels through a mix of resident and visiting sittings. The Magistrates Court of Western Australia is the entry point for the overwhelming majority of legal matters. It came into existence in May 2005 following the amalgamation of the former Court of Petty Sessions, the Small Claims Tribunal and the Local Court, and today handles the bulk of criminal and civil work that begins in Broome.

Above the Magistrates Court sits the District Court of Western Australia, the intermediate trial court established on 1 April 1970. Broome is one of only twelve country registries of the District Court, alongside Albany, Bunbury, Busselton, Carnarvon, Derby, Esperance, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Karratha, Kununurra and South Hedland. The District Court hears serious indictable offences carrying maximum penalties up to 25 years imprisonment, and determines civil claims of up to $750,000 with unlimited jurisdiction in personal injury damages. The Supreme Court of Western Australia, the highest court in the state, also conducts circuit sittings in Broome for the most serious criminal trials and appeals, while the Family Court of Western Australia holds a limited number of sittings here for parenting and property disputes.

What Cases Are Heard at Broome Magistrates Court

The Magistrates Court jurisdiction at Broome covers a broad spread of everyday legal matters. Understanding which category your matter falls into helps you read the daily list correctly and arrive prepared.

• Summary criminal offences such as traffic offences, disorderly conduct, minor assaults, stealing and drug possession.
• Indictable offences dealt with summarily, where certain serious charges are finalised in the Magistrates Court rather than being committed to a higher court.
• Bail applications and first appearances, including matters brought forward after overnight arrests in Broome and surrounding communities.
• Civil disputes up to the Magistrates Court monetary limit, covering debt recovery, minor contract claims and consumer matters.
• Restraining order applications, including violence restraining orders and misconduct restraining orders.
• Committal proceedings, where charges are prepared and referred up to the District Court or Supreme Court for trial or sentence.

A Heritage Courthouse Serving a Modern Circuit

Few courtrooms in Australia carry the history of the Broome Courthouse. The building began life as the Broome Cable House, opening on 9 April 1889 as the landing point for the submarine telegraph cable that once connected Broome to the wider world. It served as a cable station until March 1914 before being repurposed for the administration of justice. The structure is entered on the Western Australia State Register of Heritage Places, permanently registered on 28 August 2001 under reference number 296, and it remains one of the most recognisable buildings in the town.

That heritage status is also a source of practical challenge. Plans to replace the more than 130-year-old courthouse were first raised in 2015 over concerns about the functionality of a standalone heritage building serving as one of the state's busiest courtrooms. In 2021 the state government committed $5.5 million toward a new facility, and the pressure of rising case numbers has since prompted proposals for a dedicated specialist domestic violence court in Broome. For court users, the key point is simple: the building is historic, but the caseload is contemporary and heavy.

The West Kimberley Circuit and Remote Justice

Broome does not operate in isolation. The resident Broome magistrate and visiting practitioners travel across the West Kimberley circuit to hear matters in surrounding towns such as Derby and Fitzroy Crossing, meaning the Broome registry effectively coordinates justice across an enormous and sparsely populated area. The demand is significant: WA Police statistics recorded 2,413 family assaults across the Kimberley in a single reporting period, a rate of roughly 6,198 per 100,000 people, which is close to thirteen times the metropolitan rate and around five times the wider regional WA rate. In response, the Department of Justice scheduled an additional twelve weeks of sittings at the Broome Magistrates Court with an extra magistrate to reduce delays and hear matters sooner.

These circuit arrangements can be varied by practice direction, and sittings at smaller remote venues are sometimes suspended or rescheduled. If your matter is listed at a community court connected to the Broome circuit, always verify the current arrangements before travelling, as remote listings are the most likely to change.

How to Read and Use the Daily Broome Court List

The published court list is designed to tell you everything you need before you walk through the door. Each entry generally identifies the party or accused, the type of hearing, the presiding judicial officer where applicable, the courtroom, and the scheduled time. Reading it carefully saves time and prevents you from missing a call-over.

Steps to check your Broome court appearance

• Confirm the correct date, since lists are updated overnight and morning arrests can shift the running order.
• Search for the party name or matter number rather than scrolling, especially on heavy sitting days.
• Note the courtroom and time, and allow extra time to clear building security on arrival.
• Check whether the matter is a Magistrates, District, Supreme or Family Court sitting, as different jurisdictions may run on the same day.
• Look for any note indicating an adjournment, a video link appearance, or a circuit variation.

For matters that have moved beyond the Magistrates Court, you may need to cross-reference the higher court listing. You can review the relevant WA District Court Broome Courthouse listings when your case has been committed for trial or sentence, and family law matters are set out separately under the Broome Family Court sittings. This separation by jurisdiction is one of the most common sources of confusion for self-represented parties.

Contact and Registry Details for Broome Courthouse

The Broome registry is the point of contact for filing documents, enquiries about listings, and questions about attendance. The courthouse is located on Hamersley Street, Broome WA 6725, with postal correspondence directed to PO Box 606, Broome WA 6725. The registry is generally open from 9:00am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday, and the public counter can assist with procedural questions, though registry staff cannot provide legal advice. If you cannot attend a listed hearing, contacting the registry as early as possible is essential, because failing to appear can result in a warrant or a matter being decided in your absence.

Preparing to Attend Court in Broome

Attending court can be stressful, particularly for those travelling long distances from remote communities. A little preparation goes a long way toward a smoother experience.

• Arrive early. Building security screening and a busy list mean queues are common, and your matter may be called early.
• Bring identification and paperwork. Have any charge documents, bail papers, correspondence and evidence organised and ready.
• Dress neatly and plan for the heat. Broome's tropical climate can be demanding, so allow time and stay hydrated before proceedings.
• Consider legal representation. Legal Aid WA and the Aboriginal Legal Service operate across the Kimberley, and duty lawyers are often available for first appearances.
• Use support services. The Child Witness Service and Victim Support Service operate in Broome for those who qualify.

If you are still working out which venue applies to your matter, the wider Western Australia court listings hub brings together every registry across the state, from the Central Law Courts in Perth to the smallest remote circuit venue. For nearby Kimberley matters, the Kununurra courthouse listings cover the eastern end of the region and are worth checking if your matter has been transferred east.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Broome Magistrates Court located?

The Broome Courthouse is on Hamersley Street, Broome WA 6725, at the corner of Weld Street. Postal correspondence should be addressed to PO Box 606, Broome WA 6725. The building is the heritage-listed former Broome Cable House, first opened in 1889.

What time are the daily court lists published?

Court lists are generally published in the afternoon before the sitting day and updated overnight to reflect new arrests and urgent applications. Because remote circuit arrangements can change quickly, always refresh the list on the morning of your appearance.

What types of cases does the Broome court hear?

The Magistrates Court hears summary criminal matters, bail applications, civil disputes within its monetary limit, restraining orders and committals. Visiting District Court, Supreme Court and Family Court sittings deal with more serious criminal, civil and family law matters through the Broome registry.

Does the Broome Courthouse serve remote communities?

Yes. Broome anchors the West Kimberley circuit, with the resident magistrate and practitioners travelling to towns such as Derby and Fitzroy Crossing. This circuit model is central to delivering justice across one of the most remote and culturally diverse regions in Australia.

How do I contact the Broome court registry?

You can contact the registry by phone or email using the details published by the Western Australian Department of Justice. The public counter is generally open 9:00am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday for filing and enquiries, though staff cannot give legal advice.

What should I do if I cannot attend my hearing?

Contact the registry as early as possible before your listed date. Failing to appear when required can lead to a warrant being issued or your matter being determined without you present, so early communication is important.