Federal Court of Australia

The Federal Court of Australia is a superior court with court rooms in all capital cities. The Court has a broad jurisdictionThe ‘jurisdiction’ of a court is the authority of that court or tribunal to hear certain matters brought before it. This is based on factors such as the area or law, the amount of money claimed, or the geographic area. More.

 It has original jurisdiction‘Original jurisdiction’ gives a court authority to hear a case first.  This means that if you have a legal issue and you want to take it to court, your first attempt must be at the court with ‘Original Jurisdiction’ over the issue. Note: ‘Original jurisdiction’ can also be called ‘first instance jurisdiction.’ More over:

• Federal law – Civil matters including discrimination laws
• Constitutional law (with permission of the Attorney General)
• Migration Law (in some cases)
• Native TitleA form of communal title whereby land is not owned but is used by those who have rights over it. Describes traditional Aboriginal rights over land in Australia. More law
• Legal action against a member of parliament (MP)
• Issues against businesses (if relevant to public interest)
• Decisions made by the Australian Tax Office
• Intellectual Property issues – such as copyrightThe rights belonging to the owner or licensee of literary, artistic and dramatic works, films and sound recordings, to reproduce, perform or otherwise deal with these works. More, trademarks, designs, and circuit layouts
• The Fair Work Act 2009
• Bankruptcy

For more information see:

• Federal Court of Australia
• Judiciary Act 1903 (s39B)
• Appealing a Federal Court decision