| Name | Court Room | Time |
|---|---|---|
| DENNY, J** L** (via video link) | Court No. 2 | 9:00am |
| SARGENT, A** J** (via video link) | Court No. 2 | 9:00am |
Last updated: 09 Sep 2026, 10:18 am. Names are partially masked for privacy. Details may change — always check with the Registry.
The Supreme Court of Western Australia is the highest court in the state and sits at the very top of the WA court hierarchy. Its historic home in Stirling Gardens, on the corner of Barrack Street and St Georges Terrace in Perth, was officially opened in 1903 and remains one of the most recognisable heritage court buildings in the country. If you are trying to find out which matters are being heard, when a trial is listed, or where a particular case is sitting, this page brings the daily Supreme Court sitting information together in one place so you can plan your visit or follow a matter without guesswork.
Established on 18 June 1861, the Supreme Court was created through the amalgamation of the earlier Court of Quarter Sessions and the Civil Court, making it one of the oldest continuously operating superior courts in Australia. More than 160 years later it continues to hear the most serious criminal trials and the largest civil disputes in the state, and it remains the principal appeal court for Western Australia. Understanding how the court is structured, where it sits, and how the daily lists work makes it far easier to locate the exact courtroom and matter you are looking for.
About the Supreme Court of Western Australia
The Supreme Court is the state's highest court, with responsibility for both criminal and civil matters, and it functions as Western Australia's main appeal court. It is divided into two divisions: the General Division and the Court of Appeal. The General Division hears the most serious indictable offences, such as murder and manslaughter, together with complex civil litigation, while the Court of Appeal reviews decisions from the General Division, the District Court and the State Administrative Tribunal. Decisions of the Court of Appeal may be taken further to the High Court of Australia, subject to special leave being granted.
In civil matters the Supreme Court holds unlimited jurisdiction within the state, although in practice it generally hears claims valued at A$750,000 or more, leaving smaller disputes to the District and Magistrates Courts. This monetary threshold is one of the clearest ways to understand where a case belongs in the hierarchy. Matters under $75,000 are usually dealt with in the Magistrates Court, claims up to $750,000 fall within the District Court, and the largest or most complex commercial, equity and probate disputes are reserved for the Supreme Court.
The court is led by the Chief Justice of Western Australia, currently the Honourable Peter Quinlan, who was sworn in on 13 August 2018. The office of Chief Justice dates back to 1861, when Sir Archibald Burt became the first person to hold the role. The bench currently comprises 21 judges, a number that can be increased as required to meet the court's workload. Judges are appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of Cabinet and serve until the mandatory retirement age of 70, which helps maintain both continuity and independence on the bench.
The Supreme Court building and its heritage
The present Supreme Court building was constructed in Stirling Gardens and officially opened in 1903, replacing earlier court facilities on the same precinct. It was later extended in 1960, and a further new wing was added in 1986 and 1987 to cope with a growing caseload. Classified by the National Trust and entered on the Western Australia Heritage Register, the building is prized for its Federation-era design, its two-storey foyer with a domed ceiling, and its extensively panelled main courtroom.
The precinct also contains the Old Court House, completed in 1836, which is the oldest surviving public building in the City of Perth and an example of the Greek revival style favoured in colonial Western Australia. Together with the surrounding Supreme Court Gardens, much of which was created on land reclaimed from Perth Water in 1903, the site forms one of the most historically significant civic spaces in the state. For anyone attending in person, the gardens and heritage surrounds are a reminder that this has been the seat of the state's senior judiciary for well over a century.
Where the Supreme Court sits in Perth
The Supreme Court operates across three main locations in central Perth, and knowing which one your matter is listed at can save a wasted trip. The David Malcolm Justice Centre at 28 Barrack Street is the modern home of the court's civil work in the General Division. The original heritage building in Stirling Gardens, on the corner of Barrack Street and St Georges Terrace, houses the Court of Appeal and continues to host ceremonial and criminal proceedings.
Some criminal trials are also heard at the District Court building at 500 Hay Street, which is shared between jurisdictions. Because the same criminal matter can be allocated to different courtrooms depending on availability, it is always worth confirming the venue on the day. Our dedicated page for Supreme Court sittings at the District Court building makes it easier to separate those hearings from the main Barrack Street lists.
Regional and circuit sittings
The Supreme Court is not confined to Perth. To serve a state as vast as Western Australia, judges travel on circuit to regional centres, holding sittings in locations including Broome, South Hedland, Kalgoorlie, Geraldton and Albany. These circuit sittings allow serious criminal trials and appeals to be heard closer to the communities affected, reducing the need for regional parties and witnesses to travel long distances to the capital.
How the daily Supreme Court list works
Court lists in Western Australia are published each day through the state's eCourts portal, and the daily Supreme Court list sets out the matters scheduled for hearing across each division and courtroom. A typical entry identifies the case, the presiding judge, the courtroom, the sitting time and the type of hearing, whether that is a criminal trial, a civil directions hearing, an appeal or a sentencing. Lists can change at short notice as matters settle, adjourn or are reassigned, so checking on the morning of your visit is the most reliable approach.
Our platform reflects the most recent available data drawn from official sources, presenting it in a clean, searchable format. Whether you are a legal practitioner confirming where your matter is listed, a journalist following a high-profile trial, a party to proceedings, or a member of the public with an interest in a case, the daily list is the starting point. For broader coverage across every jurisdiction in the state, our full range of WA court listings connects the Supreme Court with the District, Magistrates, Family and Coroners Courts in a single hub.
Tips for attending a Supreme Court hearing
- Confirm the venue before you travel, as Supreme Court matters may sit at Barrack Street, the David Malcolm Justice Centre or the Hay Street District Court building.
- Arrive early to allow time for security screening, which applies to all court buildings in Perth.
- Check the list on the day itself, since courtroom allocations and start times can shift as the day's business unfolds.
- Note the division and hearing type, because a Court of Appeal matter and a General Division trial follow different procedures and may sit in different rooms.
- Observe courtroom etiquette, including switching off phones and standing when the judge enters and leaves.
The Supreme Court within the WA court hierarchy
Western Australia's courts are arranged in a clear hierarchy, and the Supreme Court sits at its apex. Most criminal proceedings against adults begin in the Magistrates Court, the busiest court in the state, which deals with summary offences and civil claims up to $75,000. More serious indictable offences and civil claims up to $750,000 progress to the District Court, an intermediate trial court with unlimited jurisdiction over personal injury claims. The most serious criminal trials and the largest civil disputes are then reserved for the Supreme Court.
Western Australia is also unusual in operating its own state Family Court rather than referring family law matters to the federal system, and appeals in the non-federal jurisdiction of the Family Court can be heard by the Court of Appeal or a single Supreme Court judge where the Chief Justice considers it appropriate. When required, Supreme Court judges may also constitute the Industrial Appeal Court. This breadth of responsibility is what makes the Supreme Court the anchor of the entire state justice system.
Frequently asked questions
What types of cases does the Supreme Court of WA hear?
The Supreme Court hears the most serious criminal offences, including murder and manslaughter, along with major civil disputes generally valued at $750,000 or more, complex commercial and equity matters, probate, and appeals through the Court of Appeal from the District Court, single Supreme Court judges and the State Administrative Tribunal.
Where is the Supreme Court of Western Australia located?
The court operates from three central Perth locations: the David Malcolm Justice Centre at 28 Barrack Street, the historic Supreme Court building in Stirling Gardens on the corner of Barrack Street and St Georges Terrace, and the District Court building at 500 Hay Street for some criminal trials. Circuit sittings are also held in regional centres such as Broome, Kalgoorlie and Albany.
How can I find out which matters are listed today?
Daily Supreme Court lists are published through the state's eCourts portal and reproduced here in a searchable format. Each entry shows the case, courtroom, presiding judge, sitting time and hearing type. Because lists can change without notice, it is best to check on the morning of your visit and confirm details with the relevant registry.
Can Supreme Court decisions be appealed?
Yes. Decisions of the General Division can be appealed to the Court of Appeal, which is the state's main appeal division. A further appeal from the Court of Appeal to the High Court of Australia is possible, but only where the High Court grants special leave to appeal.
Who is the Chief Justice of Western Australia?
The current Chief Justice is the Honourable Peter Quinlan, who was appointed on 13 August 2018. As the most senior judicial officer in the state, the Chief Justice leads a bench of 21 judges and is responsible for both the judicial and administrative business of the court.
