| Name | Court Room | Time |
|---|---|---|
| EADES, T** B** | Courtroom 1 | 2:00pm |
Last updated: 09 Sep 2026, 10:18 am. Names are partially masked for privacy. Details may change — always check with the Registry.
The Katanning Magistrates Court sits at the heart of Western Australia's Great Southern region, serving one of the state's most historically significant inland communities. Located at 149 Clive Street, Katanning WA 6317, this regional courthouse handles the daily criminal, civil and traffic matters that arise across the Shire of Katanning and the surrounding agricultural districts. If you have received a summons, a court attendance notice or a listing for a matter at this venue, understanding how the court operates, when it sits and what to expect on the day can make a genuine difference to how prepared you feel when your name is called.
Katanning is positioned roughly 277 to 290 kilometres south-east of Perth along the Great Southern Highway, a drive of close to three hours from the state capital. The town lies about 170 kilometres north of Albany and just over 100 kilometres south of Narrogin, placing it firmly within the network of regional courthouses that bring justice services to communities far from the metropolitan courts. For the thousands of residents across the shire and neighbouring localities such as Woodanilling, Kojonup, Gnowangerup and Broomehill, the local courthouse on Clive Street is the closest point of access to the Western Australian court system.
About the Katanning Courthouse and its jurisdiction
The Katanning Magistrates Court forms part of the Magistrates Court of Western Australia, the first tier of the state's court hierarchy. Established in its current statutory form under the Magistrates Court Act 2004 (WA), the Magistrates Court is where the overwhelming majority of legal matters in the state begin and, in most cases, conclude. A single magistrate presides over proceedings, sitting without a jury, and deals with a broad spread of everyday legal business that touches regional life directly.
At Katanning, the court hears summary criminal offences, less serious indictable matters, traffic prosecutions, bail applications and a range of civil disputes. It is also a venue for restraining order applications, including Family Violence Restraining Orders and Violence Restraining Orders, which are consistently among the highest-volume matter types across the entire Western Australian court system. Extraordinary driver's licence applications, minor debt claims and other non-offence civil matters are dealt with here as well, making the courthouse a genuine one-stop point of contact for legal issues in the district.
A circuit court without a resident magistrate
One feature that distinguishes Katanning from the larger metropolitan and major regional registries is that there is no full-time resident magistrate. The court operates on a circuit basis, which means the magistrate who hears your matter may differ from one appearance to the next. Katanning, Narrogin and Mount Barker are grouped alongside the Albany Justice Complex within the Great Southern circuit, and District Court and Supreme Court circuit sittings for the region are held at Albany rather than at Katanning itself. Anyone facing a serious indictable charge should understand that their matter may ultimately be committed to a higher court in another location.
Court location, contact details and opening hours
The courthouse is on Clive Street in the centre of Katanning, within the postcode area of 6317. Registry and administrative enquiries can be directed to the court by telephone on (08) 9821 1177, and the general operating hours are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday to Friday, consistent with registries across the Magistrates Court network. It is sensible to arrive well before your listed time so you can locate the correct courtroom, speak with court staff and settle before proceedings begin.
Parking around the Katanning courthouse is limited, and there is no scheduled public transport within the town, so planning your travel in advance is important. This is especially critical if you are attending for a traffic matter where a licence disqualification could be imposed on the day. In that situation you should arrange an alternative way home rather than driving yourself, because a disqualification takes effect immediately once ordered.
Practical tips for attending court in Katanning
- Dress neatly and conservatively, as a respectful appearance is expected in every courtroom.
- Arrive early, make yourself known to court staff on arrival, and wait for your name to be called.
- Be prepared to remain at court for several hours, as listings are not always heard in strict order.
- The courthouse has video and audio link facilities, and in many cases a lawyer will appear by telephone or video link rather than in person.
- Bring any documents relevant to your matter, including correspondence from the court, the prosecution or the police.
Understanding the daily court list
Every sitting day, the court publishes a daily list showing which matters are scheduled to be heard, the courtroom allocated and, in many cases, the type of proceeding. Checking the list before you travel confirms that your matter is still listed and has not been adjourned or relocated, which can save a wasted journey of several hours across the Great Southern. Court lists group matters into categories such as mentions, sentencing, trials, bail applications and civil hearings, and knowing which category applies to you helps you gauge how your day is likely to unfold.
Because Katanning sits on a circuit, its sitting days are not necessarily every weekday. Matters are scheduled around the circuit calendar, and interim arrangements can occasionally shift listings, as reflected in practice directions issued by the Magistrates Court from time to time. If you are ever unsure whether a scheduled sitting is proceeding, contacting the registry directly is the most reliable way to confirm. You can also review current listings for the wider region through the consolidated WA court lists today resource, which brings together sitting information from courthouses across the state.
The scale of the Western Australian court system
The regional role played by Katanning becomes clearer when set against the sheer size of the state's court network. Western Australia operates the most geographically dispersed court system in the country, covering approximately 2.5 million square kilometres, stretching from the Perth metropolitan courts to remote circuit sittings in the Kimberley, the Pilbara, the Goldfields and even Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands in the Indian Ocean.
The volume of work moving through this system is substantial. According to figures drawn from the Magistrates Court of Western Australia, criminal case lodgements reached 104,002 in 2024-2025, up from 93,180 in 2023-2024, an increase of close to 12 percent in a single year. Across its civil jurisdiction, the Magistrates Court statewide receives in the order of 43,000 civil filings annually. Regional courthouses like Katanning absorb their share of this workload, ensuring that residents of the Great Southern do not have to travel to Perth or Albany for every routine legal matter.
Where Katanning fits in the Great Southern
The Shire of Katanning covers roughly 1,518 square kilometres and recorded a population of about 4,057 at the 2021 census, making the town one of the principal population centres of the Great Southern alongside Albany, Denmark, Mount Barker, Kojonup and Gnowangerup. Katanning was formally gazetted in 1898 following the construction of the Great Southern Railway between Perth and Albany, and it has long served as a regional service hub for agriculture, commerce and, importantly, justice administration. The courthouse continues that tradition, keeping essential legal services accessible close to where people live and work.
Getting legal help and support
Facing a court matter can be stressful, particularly in a regional setting where legal representation is not always immediately at hand. Community legal services operate across the southern and south-west regions of Western Australia, with outreach reaching Katanning and nearby Tambellup, offering assistance with family and domestic violence matters, restraining orders, criminal injuries compensation and court support. Many private practitioners also service the Katanning Magistrates Court and appear regularly by video or audio link, so it is worth arranging advice before your court date wherever possible.
If your matter is more serious or is likely to be committed to the District Court or Supreme Court, seeking legal advice early is especially valuable. Neighbouring registries handle related work across the circuit, and you can review listings and information for the nearby Narrogin Courthouse and the regional hub at the Albany Justice Complex, where higher court circuit sittings for the Great Southern are conducted. Understanding the relationship between these venues helps you anticipate where your matter may travel as it progresses.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Katanning Magistrates Court located?
The court is located on Clive Street in Katanning, Western Australia, postcode 6317, in the centre of town. Katanning is around 277 to 290 kilometres south-east of Perth and about 170 kilometres north of Albany.
What are the opening hours of the Katanning courthouse?
The court's general operating hours are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday. Sitting days depend on the circuit schedule, so it is best to confirm your listing before travelling.
Does Katanning Magistrates Court have a permanent magistrate?
No. The court operates on a circuit basis and does not have a full-time resident magistrate, which means you may appear before a different magistrate at each attendance.
What types of matters are heard at Katanning?
The court deals with summary criminal offences, traffic matters, bail applications, restraining orders including FVROs and VROs, minor civil claims and extraordinary driver's licence applications. Serious indictable matters may be committed to the District or Supreme Court, with regional circuit sittings held at Albany.
How do I check the daily court list for Katanning?
Daily listings show which matters are scheduled, the courtroom and the type of hearing. You can review current regional listings through the consolidated WA court lists resource, or contact the registry on (08) 9821 1177 to confirm your matter is proceeding.
Is there parking and public transport at the courthouse?
Parking near the courthouse is limited and there is no scheduled public transport within Katanning, so you should plan your travel ahead of time. If your matter involves a possible licence disqualification, arrange not to drive yourself home.
Can my lawyer appear for me by video or phone?
Yes. The courthouse is equipped with video and audio link facilities, and in many regional matters a lawyer will appear by telephone or video link rather than attending in person.
