TOPIC 10
THE COURT SYSTEM
The courts have an important role to play in the Australian system of government because
they resolve disputes and in the course of resolving disputes they develop the law. In this
topic, we examine judicial power and the doctrine of separation of powers, the Commonwealth
or Federal Courts and the main courts in New South Wales.
Materials
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Reilly et al, Chapters 8 and 9
Legislation
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Cth Constitution ss 71-77
Further reading
R v Kirby: ex parte Boilermakers Society of Australia (Boilermakers Case) (1956) 94 CLR 254
10.1
Judicial power and the doctrine of separation of powers
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10.2
Commonwealth courts
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10.3
High Court of Australia
Federal Court of Australia
Family Court of Australia
Federal Magistrates Court of Australia
New South Wales courts
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10.4
Judicial power of the Commonwealth
Separation of powers doctrine
Supreme Court of New South Wales
District Court of New South Wales
Local Courts
Land and Environment Court
Industrial Relations Commission
Cross-vesting scheme