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Most people only find out how the Cairns Courthouse works when they have to be there. Someone tells you to go to "the courthouse", and then you find out it holds several different courts, each with its own registry, its own list and its own kind of work.
This guide explains which court is which, where to find each one in the building, and how to work out which court your matter is in. It is general information only. For your own matter, get advice.
Where the Cairns Courthouse is
The Cairns Courthouse is at 5D Sheridan Street, Cairns City. The Magistrates Court is on the ground floor. The registry for the Supreme Court, District Court and Planning and Environment Court is on level 3.
The main number for the courthouse is (07) 4280 6000, and it covers every registry in the building. When you ring, say which court your matter is in.
- The Magistrates Court registry is on the ground floor, email courthouse.cairns@justice.qld.gov.au. Our Cairns Magistrates Court guide has the counter hours.
- The Supreme and District Court registry is on level 3, email cairns.hcregistry@justice.qld.gov.au. Its counter is open 8.30am to 4.30pm on Monday and Wednesday to Friday, and 8.30am to 4pm on Tuesday. It is closed on public and court holidays.
Which courts sit at the Cairns Courthouse
Queensland Courts lists these courts at the Cairns Courthouse:
- the Magistrates Court, including the Childrens Court and domestic and family violence lists
- the District Court
- the Supreme Court
- the Planning and Environment Court
Some tribunal work is also heard in the building. Queensland Courts' 2026 calendar for Cairns lists QCAT residential tenancy and minor civil dispute matters at the Magistrates Court.
Cairns Magistrates Court
Every criminal case in Queensland starts in the Magistrates Court. That includes traffic matters such as drink driving, minor offences such as shoplifting, and more serious charges such as assault, fraud and drug offences.
Many matters are finished in the Magistrates Court, either on a plea of guilty or after a hearing in front of a magistrate. More serious charges can be sent to the District Court or Supreme Court for trial or sentence. That step is called a committal, and it does not mean anyone has been found guilty.
The Magistrates Court also deals with civil claims up to $150,000, and with applications for domestic violence orders.
Cairns District Court
Queensland Courts describes the District Court as the court for serious criminal cases, giving dangerous driving, armed robbery and rape as examples. A charge is either heard at a trial, before a jury or a judge alone, or finalised at a sentence hearing if the person pleads guilty.
Most appeals against decisions of the Magistrates Court are also heard in the District Court. It handles civil claims between $150,000 and $750,000 as well.
Cairns Supreme Court
The Supreme Court's Trial Division hears the most serious criminal charges. Queensland Courts gives major drug offences, attempted murder, manslaughter and murder as examples. Cairns is one of the regional courthouses where the Supreme Court sits.
The Supreme Court is also where bail goes next in some cases. If a magistrate has refused bail and no indictment has yet been presented in the District or Supreme Court, a further bail application has to be made to the Supreme Court. The application must disclose the earlier refusal, and the Director of Public Prosecutions must be served at least two full business days before the hearing. Our page on bail applications explains how bail is decided.
How to tell which court your matter is in
Start with your paperwork. A notice to appear, bail undertaking or court letter will name the court, the date and the time.
Each court also publishes its own daily list:
- The Cairns Magistrates Court list is updated at 6.45am and again at 8.45am on the day. It shows names, court numbers and times.
- The Cairns Supreme and District Court list is updated by 6pm the day before. It shows the judge, the courtroom and level, the time and the type of matter, such as a mention, sentence or trial.
Both lists are reached through the Queensland Courts daily law lists page. If your matter has been committed from the Magistrates Court, look for it on the Supreme and District list, not the Magistrates list.
Jury service in Cairns
Juries in Cairns sit in the District and Supreme Courts. If you have received a jury summons, the Supreme and District Court registry has a jury line on (07) 4280 6061 and a recorded jury information line on (07) 4280 6009.
Before you go
Allow time to get through the front entrance and find the right floor, and check the list on the morning you are due. Our Magistrates Court guide covers what to bring and the rules inside the courtroom, which apply in every court in the building.
If someone has just been arrested and is being held, our guide to the Cairns watch house explains what happens before the first court appearance.
If your matter is in the Cairns Magistrates, District or Supreme Court and you want to know where it is heading, speak with us. Your first consultation is free.
This article is general information about Queensland law. It is not legal advice. Every matter turns on its own facts, so speak with us about yours.
When you call Coral Coast Law, you speak directly with principal Joseph Rahim, and he handles your matter himself. Your first consultation is free and confidential.
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