{"id":"a-1993-60","name":"Jurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting) Act 1993","slug":"jurisdiction-of-courts-cross-vesting-act-1993","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"act","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"60 of 1993","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":23799,"registerId":"act-a-1993-60-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Jurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting) Act 1993","content":"Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nJurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting)\nAct 1993\nA1993-60\nRepublication No 4\nEffective: 21 March 2025\nRepublication date: 21 March 2025\nLast amendment made by A2025-3\n\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAbout this republication\nThe republished law\nThis is a republication of the Jurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting) Act 1993 (including any\namendment made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 (Editorial changes)) as in force on\n21 March 2025. It also includes any commencement, amendment, repeal or expiry affecting this\nrepublished law to 21 March 2025.\nThe legislation history and amendment history of the republished law are set out in endnotes 3\nand 4.\nKinds of republications\nThe Parliamentary Counsel’s Office prepares 2 kinds of republications of ACT laws (see the ACT\nlegislation register at www.legislation.act.gov.au):\n• authorised republications to which the Legislation Act 2001 applies\n• unauthorised republications.\nThe status of this republication appears on the bottom of each page.\nEditorial changes\nThe Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 authorises the Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial\namendments and other changes of a formal nature when preparing a law for republication.\nEditorial changes do not change the effect of the law, but have effect as if they had been made by\nan Act commencing on the republication date (see Legislation Act 2001, s 115 and s 117). The\nchanges are made if the Parliamentary Counsel considers they are desirable to bring the law into\nline, or more closely into line, with current legislative drafting practice.\nThis republication does not include amendments made under part 11.3 (see endnote 1).\nUncommenced provisions and amendments\nIf a provision of the republished law has not commenced, the symbol U appears immediately\nbefore the provision heading. Any uncommenced amendments that affect this republished law\nare accessible on the ACT legislation register (www.legislation.act.gov.au). For more\ninformation, see the home page for this law on the register.\nModifications\nIf a provision of the republished law is affected by a current modification, the\nsymbol M appears immediately before the provision heading. The text of the modifying\nprovision appears in the endnotes. For the legal status of modifications, see the Legislation\nAct 2001, section 95.\nPenalties\nAt the republication date, the value of a penalty unit for an offence against this law is $160 for an\nindividual and $810 for a corporation (see Legislation Act 2001, s 133).\n\nR4\n21/03/25\nJurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting) Act 1993\nEffective: 21/03/25\ncontents 1\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nJurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting)\nAct 1993\nContents\nPage\nPreamble 2\n1 Name of Act 3\n2 Dictionary 3\n3 Reference to Supreme Court of State 3\n4 Vesting of additional jurisdiction in certain courts 3\n5 Transfer of proceedings 4\n6 Special federal matters—general rules 10\n6A Special federal matters—Commonwealth authorities or officers acting\nunder Territory laws 13\n7 Institution and hearing of appeals 15\n8 Orders by Supreme Court 16\n9 Exercise of jurisdiction under cross-vesting laws 17\n10 Transfer of matters arising under the Competition and Consumer Act,\npt 5, div 1 or div 1A 18\n\nContents\nPage\ncontents 2 Jurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting) Act 1993\nEffective: 21/03/25\nR4\n21/03/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n11 Conduct of proceedings 18\n12 Orders as to costs 19\n13 Limitation on appeals 19\n14 Enforcement and effect of judgments 20\n15 Suspension of Act and revocation of suspension 20\n16 Cessation of Act 21\n17 Cessation of Act in relation to Commonwealth etc 21\nDictionary 23\nEndnotes\n1 About the endnotes 25\n2 Abbreviation key 25\n3 Legislation history 26\n4 Amendment history 27\n5 Earlier republications 29\n\nR4\n21/03/25\nJurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting) Act 1993\nEffective: 21/03/25\npage 1\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nJurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting)\nAct 1993\nAn Act to make provision for the cross-vesting of certain jurisdiction\n\nPreamble\npage 2 Jurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting) Act 1993\nEffective: 21/03/25\nR4\n21/03/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPreamble\n1 Inconvenience and expense have occasionally been caused to litigants\nby jurisdictional limitations in federal, State and Territory courts.\n2 It is desirable—\n(a) to establish a system of cross-vesting of jurisdiction between\nthose courts without detracting from the existing jurisdiction of\nany court; and\n(b) to structure the system in such a way as to ensure as far as\npracticable that proceedings concerning matters that, apart from\nthis Act and any law of the Commonwealth or another State or\nTerritory relating to cross-vesting of jurisdiction, would be\nentirely or substantially within the jurisdiction (other than any\naccrued jurisdiction) of the Federal Court or the Family Court or\nthe jurisdiction of a Supreme Court of a State or Territory are\ninstituted and determined in that court, whilst providing for the\ndetermination by one court of federal, State and Territory\nmatters in appropriate cases; and\n(c) if a proceeding is instituted in a court that is not the appropriate\ncourt, to provide a system under which the proceeding will be\ntransferred to the appropriate court.\nThe Legislative Assembly for the Australian Capital Territory\ntherefore enacts as follows:\n\nSection 1\nR4\n21/03/25\nJurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting) Act 1993\nEffective: 21/03/25\npage 3\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n1 Name of Act\nThis Act is the Jurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting) Act 1993.\n2 Dictionary\nThe dictionary at the end of this Act is part of this Act.\nNote 1 The dictionary at the end of this Act defines certain words and\nexpressions used in this Act and includes references (signpost\ndefinitions) to other words and expressions defined elsewhere in this Act\nor in other legislation.\nFor example, the signpost definition ‘special federal matter—see the\nJurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting) Act 1987 (Cwlth), section 3 (1).’\nmeans that the expression ‘special federal matter’ is defined in that\nsubsection and the definition applies to this Act.\nNote 2 A definition in the dictionary (including a signpost definition) applies to\nthe entire Act unless the definition, or another provision of the Act,\nprovides otherwise or the contrary intention otherwise appears (see\nLegislation Act 2001, s 155 and s 156 (1)).\n3 Reference to Supreme Court of State\nA reference in this Act, other than a reference in section 4 (3), to the\nSupreme Court of a State includes, if there is a State Family Court of\nthat State, a reference to that State Family Court.\n4 Vesting of additional jurisdiction in certain courts\n(1) The Federal Court has and may exercise original and appellate\njurisdiction in respect of ACT matters.\n(2) The Family Court has and may exercise original and appellate\njurisdiction in respect of ACT matters.\n(3) The Supreme Court of another State or of a Territory has and may\nexercise original and appellate jurisdiction in respect of ACT matters.\n(4) The State Family Court of another State has and may exercise original\nand appellate jurisdiction in respect of ACT matters.\n\nSection 5\npage 4 Jurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting) Act 1993\nEffective: 21/03/25\nR4\n21/03/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(5) Subsection (1), (2), (3) or (4) does not—\n(a) invest the Federal Court, the Family Court or a Supreme Court\nwith; or\n(b) confer on any such court;\njurisdiction in respect of criminal matters.\n5 Transfer of proceedings\n(1) If—\n(a) a proceeding (in this subsection called the relevant proceeding)\nis pending in the Supreme Court; and\n(b) it appears to the Supreme Court that—\n(i) the relevant proceeding arises out of, or is related to,\nanother proceeding pending in the Federal Court or the\nFamily Court and it is more appropriate that the relevant\nproceeding be determined by the Federal Court or the\nFamily Court; or\n(ii) having regard to—\n(A) whether, in the opinion of the Supreme Court, apart\nfrom this Act and any law of the Commonwealth or\nanother State relating to cross-vesting of jurisdiction\nand apart from any accrued jurisdiction of the Federal\nCourt or the Family Court, the relevant proceeding or\na substantial part of the relevant proceeding would\nhave been incapable of being instituted in the\nSupreme Court and capable of being instituted in the\nFederal Court or the Family Court; and\n\nSection 5\nR4\n21/03/25\nJurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting) Act 1993\nEffective: 21/03/25\npage 5\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(B) the extent to which, in the opinion of the Supreme\nCourt, the matters for determination in the relevant\nproceeding are matters arising under or involving\nquestions as to the application, interpretation or\nvalidity of a law of the Commonwealth and not within\nthe jurisdiction of the Supreme Court apart from this\nAct and any law of the Commonwealth or another\nState relating to cross-vesting of jurisdiction; and\n(C) the interests of justice;\nit is more appropriate that the relevant proceeding be\ndetermined by the Federal Court or the Family Court, as\nthe case may be; or\n(iii) it is otherwise in the interests of justice that the relevant\nproceeding be determined by the Federal Court or the\nFamily Court;\nthe Supreme Court must transfer the relevant proceeding to the\nFederal Court or the Family Court, as the case may be.\n(2) If—\n(a) a proceeding (in this subsection called the relevant proceeding)\nis pending in the Supreme Court (in this subsection called the\nfirst court); and\n(b) it appears to the first court that—\n(i) the relevant proceeding arises out of, or is related to,\nanother proceeding pending in the Supreme Court of\nanother State or of a Territory and it is more appropriate\nthat the relevant proceeding be determined by that other\nSupreme Court; or\n\nSection 5\npage 6 Jurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting) Act 1993\nEffective: 21/03/25\nR4\n21/03/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(ii) having regard to—\n(A) whether, in the opinion of the first court, apart from\nthis Act and a law of the Commonwealth or another\nState relating to cross-vesting of jurisdiction, the\nrelevant proceeding or a substantial part of the\nrelevant proceeding would have been incapable of\nbeing instituted in the first court and capable of being\ninstituted in the Supreme Court of another State or\nTerritory; and\n(B) the extent to which, in the opinion of the first court,\nthe matters for determination in the relevant\nproceeding are matters arising under or involving\nquestions as to the application, interpretation or\nvalidity of a law of that other State or Territory and\nnot within the jurisdiction of the first court apart from\nthis Act and a law of the Commonwealth or another\nState relating to cross-vesting of jurisdiction; and\n(C) the interests of justice;\nit is more appropriate that the relevant proceeding be\ndetermined by that other Supreme Court; or\n(iii) it is otherwise in the interests of justice that the relevant\nproceeding be determined by the Supreme Court of another\nState or Territory;\nthe first court must transfer the relevant proceeding to that other\nSupreme Court.\n(3) If—\n(a) a proceeding (in this subsection called the relevant proceeding)\nis pending in the Supreme Court of another State or of a\nTerritory (in this subsection called the first court); and\n\nSection 5\nR4\n21/03/25\nJurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting) Act 1993\nEffective: 21/03/25\npage 7\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(b) it appears to the first court that—\n(i) the relevant proceeding arises out of, or is related to,\nanother proceeding pending in the Supreme Court of the\nAustralian Capital Territory and it is more appropriate that\nthe relevant proceeding be determined by the Supreme\nCourt of the Australian Capital Territory; or\n(ii) having regard to—\n(A) whether, in the opinion of the first court, apart from\nthis Act and a law of the Commonwealth or another\nState relating to cross-vesting of jurisdiction, the\nrelevant proceeding or a substantial part of the\nrelevant proceeding would have been incapable of\nbeing instituted in the first court and capable of being\ninstituted in the Supreme Court of the Australian\nCapital Territory; and\n(B) the extent to which, in the opinion of the first court,\nthe matters for determination in the relevant\nproceeding are matters arising under or involving\nquestions as to the application, interpretation or\nvalidity of a law of the Australian Capital Territory\nand not within the jurisdiction of the first court apart\nfrom this Act and a law of the Commonwealth or\nanother State relating to cross-vesting of jurisdiction;\nand\n(C) the interests of justice;\nit is more appropriate that the relevant proceeding be\ndetermined by the Supreme Court of the Australian Capital\nTerritory; or\n\nSection 5\npage 8 Jurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting) Act 1993\nEffective: 21/03/25\nR4\n21/03/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(iii) it is otherwise in the interests of justice that the relevant\nproceeding be determined by the Supreme Court of the\nAustralian Capital Territory;\nthe first court must transfer the relevant proceeding to the Supreme\nCourt of the Australian Capital Territory.\n(4) If—\n(a) a proceeding (in this subsection called the relevant proceeding)\nis pending in the Federal Court or the Family Court (in this\nsubsection called the first court); and\n(b) it appears to the first court that—\n(i) the relevant proceeding arises out of, or is related to,\nanother proceeding pending in the Supreme Court and it is\nmore appropriate that the relevant proceeding be\ndetermined by the Supreme Court; or\n(ii) having regard to—\n(A) whether, in the opinion of the first court, apart from\nthis Act and a law of the Commonwealth or another\nState relating to cross-vesting of jurisdiction, the\nrelevant proceeding or a substantial part of the\nrelevant proceeding would have been incapable of\nbeing instituted in the first court and capable of being\ninstituted in the Supreme Court; and\n(B) the extent to which, in the opinion of the first court,\nthe matters for determination in the relevant\nproceeding are matters arising under or involving\nquestions as to the application, interpretation or\nvalidity of a law of the Australian Capital Territory\nand not within the jurisdiction of the first court apart\nfrom this Act and a law of the Commonwealth or\nanother State relating to cross-vesting of jurisdiction;\nand\n\nSection 5\nR4\n21/03/25\nJurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting) Act 1993\nEffective: 21/03/25\npage 9\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(C) the interests of justice;\nit is more appropriate that the relevant proceeding be\ndetermined by the Supreme Court; or\n(iii) it is otherwise in the interests of justice that the relevant\nproceeding be determined by the Supreme Court;\nthe first court must transfer the relevant proceeding to the Supreme\nCourt.\n(5) If—\n(a) a proceeding (in this subsection called the relevant proceeding)\nis pending in the Federal Court or the Family Court (in this\nsubsection called the first court); and\n(b) it appears to the first court that—\n(i) the relevant proceeding arises out of, or is related to,\nanother proceeding pending in the other of the courts\nreferred to in paragraph (a) and it is more appropriate that\nthe relevant proceeding be determined by the other of the\ncourts referred to in paragraph (a); or\n(ii) it is otherwise in the interests of justice that the relevant\nproceeding be determined by the other of the courts\nreferred to in paragraph (a);\nthe first court must transfer the relevant proceeding to that other court.\n(6) If—\n(a) a court (in this subsection called the first court) transfers a\nproceeding to another court under a law or laws relating to cross-\nvesting of jurisdiction; and\n(b) it appears to the first court that—\n(i) there is another proceeding pending in the first court that\narises out of, or is related to, the firstmentioned proceeding;\nand\n\nSection 6\npage 10 Jurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting) Act 1993\nEffective: 21/03/25\nR4\n21/03/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(ii) it is in the interests of justice that the other proceeding be\ndetermined by the other court;\nthe first court must transfer the other proceeding to the other court.\n(7) A court may transfer a proceeding under this section on the\napplication of a party to the proceeding, of its own initiative or on the\napplication of the Attorney-General of the Commonwealth or of a\nState or Territory.\n(8) A person who is entitled to practise as a legal practitioner in a court\nhas, if a proceeding (the transferred proceeding) in that court is\ntransferred to another court under a law or laws relating to cross-\nvesting of jurisdiction, the same entitlement to practise in relation\nto—\n(a) the transferred proceeding; and\n(b) any other proceeding out of which the transferred proceeding\narises or to which the transferred proceeding is related, being\nanother proceeding that is to be determined together with the\ntransferred proceeding;\nin the other court that the person would have if the other court were a\nfederal court exercising federal jurisdiction.\n6 Special federal matters—general rules\n(1) If—\n(a) a matter for determination in a proceeding that is pending in the\nSupreme Court is a special federal matter; and\n(b) the court does not make an order under subsection (3) in respect\nof the matter;\nthe court must transfer the proceeding in accordance with this section\nto the Federal Court or a court mentioned in subsection (2) (b).\n\nSection 6\nR4\n21/03/25\nJurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting) Act 1993\nEffective: 21/03/25\npage 11\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(2) If the Supreme Court orders that a proceeding be transferred, the\nproceeding must be transferred—\n(a) if the matter for determination in the proceeding is a matter\nmentioned in the Jurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting)\nAct 1987 (Cwlth), section 3 (1), definition of special federal\nmatter, paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (e)—to the Federal Court; or\n(b) if the matter for determination in the proceeding is a matter\nmentioned in that definition, paragraph (ab)—to whichever of\nthe Family Court, the Family Court of Western Australia or the\nSupreme Court of the Northern Territory, in the opinion of the\ncourt, is appropriate in the circumstances.\n(3) The Supreme Court may order that the proceeding be determined by\nthat court if it is satisfied that there are special reasons for doing so in\nthe particular circumstances of the proceeding other than reasons\nrelevant to the convenience of the parties.\n(4) Before making an order under subsection (3), the Supreme Court\nmust be satisfied that—\n(a) a written notice specifying the nature of the special federal\nmatter has been given to the Attorney-General of the\nCommonwealth and the Attorney-General of the Australian\nCapital Territory; and\n(b) a reasonable time has elapsed since the giving of the notice for\nthe Attorneys-General to consider whether submissions to the\ncourt should be made in relation to the proceeding.\n(5) For subsection (4), the Supreme Court—\n(a) may adjourn the proceeding for such time as the court thinks\nnecessary and may make such order as to costs in relation to an\nadjournment as it thinks fit; and\n\nSection 6\npage 12 Jurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting) Act 1993\nEffective: 21/03/25\nR4\n21/03/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(b) may direct a party to the proceeding to give a notice in\naccordance with that subsection.\n(6) In considering whether there are special reasons for the purposes of\nsubsection (3), the Supreme Court must—\n(a) have regard to the general rule that special federal matters\nshould be heard by the Federal Court or a court mentioned in\nsubsection (2) (b), whichever is appropriate in the particular\ncase; and\n(b) take into account any submission made in relation to the\nproceeding by an Attorney-General mentioned in\nsubsection (4).\n(7) Nothing in this section prevents the Supreme Court granting urgent\nrelief of an interlocutory nature if it is in the interests of justice to do\nso.\n(8) If, through inadvertence, the Supreme Court determines a proceeding\nof the kind referred to in subsection (1) without—\n(a) the court making an order under subsection (3) that the\nproceeding be determined by that court; or\n(b) a notice mentioned in subsection (4) being given;\nnothing in this section invalidates the decision of that court.\n\nSection 6A\nR4\n21/03/25\nJurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting) Act 1993\nEffective: 21/03/25\npage 13\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n6A Special federal matters—Commonwealth authorities or\nofficers acting under Territory laws\n(1) This section applies to a proceeding (the federal matter proceeding)\nif—\n(a) a matter for determination in the proceeding is covered by the\nJurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting) Act 1987 (Cwlth),\nsection 3 (1), definition of special federal matter, paragraph (c)\nor (e); and\nNote Paragraph (c) of that definition is about matters arising under the\nAdministrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 (Cwlth), and\nparagraph (e) of that definition is about matters that are within the\noriginal jurisdiction of the Federal Court under the Judiciary Act\n1903 (Cwlth), s 39B.\n(b) the matter for determination in the proceeding involves or\nrelates to the exercise, or purported or proposed exercise, of\nfunctions or powers given to a Commonwealth authority, or\nofficer of the Commonwealth, by an enactment (the ACT\nenactment) mentioned in the Administrative Decisions (Judicial\nReview) Act 1977 (Cwlth), section 3 (1), definition of\nenactment, paragraph (ca) or (cb); and\n(c) the matter for determination in the proceeding arises out of, or\nrelates to, another proceeding (the ACT matter proceeding)\npending in any ACT court, if the ACT matter proceeding—\n(i) arises, or a substantial part of it arises, under the ACT\nenactment or a corresponding enactment of another State;\nand\n(ii) does not involve a matter for determination covered by the\nJurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting) Act 1987 (Cwlth),\nsection 3 (1), definition of special federal matter,\nparagraph (c) or (e);\nregardless of which proceeding was begun first.\n\nSection 6A\npage 14 Jurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting) Act 1993\nEffective: 21/03/25\nR4\n21/03/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(2) If—\n(a) the federal matter proceeding is pending in the Federal Court or\nFamily Court; and\n(b) having regard to the interests of justice, including the\ndesirability of related proceedings being heard in the same\njurisdiction, the Federal Court or Family Court considers it\nappropriate to transfer the proceeding to the Supreme Court;\nthe Federal Court or Family Court may transfer the proceeding to the\nSupreme Court.\n(3) Section 5 (4) does not apply to a federal matter proceeding mentioned\nin subsection (2).\n(4) If—\n(a) the federal matter proceeding is pending in the Supreme Court;\nand\n(b) the ACT matter proceeding is pending in any ACT court;\nsections 5 (1) and 6 do not require the Supreme Court to transfer the\nfederal matter proceeding to the Federal Court or Family Court.\n(5) However, the Supreme Court may transfer the federal matter\nproceeding mentioned in subsection (4) if it considers it appropriate,\nhaving regard to the interests of justice, including the desirability of\nrelated proceedings being heard in the same jurisdiction.\n(6) This section does not give a court jurisdiction that it would not\notherwise have.\n(7) The fact that references in this section to the interests of justice\ninclude the desirability of related proceedings being heard in the same\njurisdiction does not of itself mean that references to the interests of\njustice elsewhere in this Act do not include that matter.\n\nSection 7\nR4\n21/03/25\nJurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting) Act 1993\nEffective: 21/03/25\npage 15\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(8) In this section:\nCommonwealth authority means an authority or other body (whether\nincorporated or not) that is established under a Commonwealth Act.\nofficer of the Commonwealth—see the Commonwealth\nConstitution, section 75 (v).\n7 Institution and hearing of appeals\n(1) An appeal must not be instituted from a decision of a single judge of\nthe Federal Court or the Family Court to the Full Court of the\nSupreme Court.\n(2) An appeal must not be instituted from the Federal Court or the Family\nCourt to the other of those courts.\n(3) If it appears that the only matters for determination in a proceeding\nby way of an appeal from a decision of a single judge of the Supreme\nCourt are matters other than matters arising under an Act specified in\nthe Jurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting) Act 1987 (Cwlth),\nschedule, that proceeding must be instituted only in, and must be\ndetermined only by, the Full Court of the Supreme Court.\n(4) Subject to subsections (6) and (7), if it appears that a matter for\ndetermination in a proceeding by way of an appeal from a decision of\na single judge of the Supreme Court (not being a proceeding to which\nsubsection (5) applies) is a matter arising under an Act specified in\nthe schedule referred to in subsection (3), that proceeding must be\ninstituted only in, and must be determined only by—\n(a) the Full Court of the Federal Court or of the Family Court, as\nthe case requires; or\n(b) with special leave of the High Court—the High Court.\n\nSection 8\npage 16 Jurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting) Act 1993\nEffective: 21/03/25\nR4\n21/03/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(5) A proceeding by way of an appeal from a decision of a judge of a\nState Family Court, being a proceeding involving the determination\nof—\n(a) a matter arising under an Act specified in the schedule referred\nto in subsection (3); and\n(b) another matter;\nmay be dealt with as if no matter for determination in the proceeding\nwere a matter arising under an Act specified in that schedule.\n(6) If—\n(a) the Full Court of the Supreme Court commences to hear a\nproceeding by way of an appeal; and\n(b) before the court determines the proceeding, it appears to it that\nthe proceeding is a proceeding to which subsection (4) applies;\nit must, unless the interests of justice require that it proceed to\ndetermine the proceeding, transfer the proceeding to the Full Court of\nthe Federal Court or of the Family Court, as the case requires.\n(7) If the Full Court of the Supreme Court—\n(a) determines a proceeding to which subsection (4) applies as\nmentioned in subsection (6); or\n(b) through inadvertence, determines a proceeding to which\nsubsection (4) applies;\nnothing in this section invalidates the decision of that court.\n8 Orders by Supreme Court\n(1) If—\n(a) a proceeding (the relevant proceeding) is pending in—\n(i) a court of the Australian Capital Territory, other than the\nSupreme Court; or\n\nSection 9\nR4\n21/03/25\nJurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting) Act 1993\nEffective: 21/03/25\npage 17\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(ii) a tribunal established by or under an Act; and\n(b) it appears to the Supreme Court that—\n(i) the relevant proceeding arises out of, or is related to,\nanother proceeding pending in the Federal Court, the\nFamily Court, the Supreme Court of another State or of a\nTerritory or a State Family Court and, if an order is made\nunder this subsection in relation to the relevant proceeding,\nthere would be grounds on which the other proceeding\ncould be transferred to the Supreme Court; or\n(ii) an order should be made under this subsection in relation\nto the relevant proceeding so that consideration can be\ngiven to whether the relevant proceeding should be\ntransferred to another court;\nthe Supreme Court may, on the application of a party to the relevant\nproceeding or of its own initiative, make an order removing the\nrelevant proceeding to the Supreme Court.\n(2) If an order is made under subsection (1) in relation to a proceeding,\nthis Act applies in relation to the proceeding as if it were a proceeding\npending in the Supreme Court.\n(3) If a proceeding is removed to the Supreme Court in accordance with\nan order made under subsection (1), the Supreme Court may, if it\nconsiders it appropriate to do so, remit the proceeding to the court or\ntribunal from which the proceeding was removed.\n9 Exercise of jurisdiction under cross-vesting laws\nThe Supreme Court may—\n(a) exercise jurisdiction (whether original or appellate) conferred on\nthat court by this Act or a law of the Commonwealth or a State\nrelating to cross-vesting of jurisdiction; and\n(b) hear and determine a proceeding transferred to that court under\nthis Act or such a law.\n\nSection 10\npage 18 Jurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting) Act 1993\nEffective: 21/03/25\nR4\n21/03/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n10 Transfer of matters arising under the Competition and\nConsumer Act, pt 5, div 1 or div 1A\nIf—\n(a) a proceeding is pending in the Federal Court, the Family Court,\nthe Supreme Court or the Supreme Court of another State or of\na Territory; and\n(b) a matter for determination in the proceeding is a matter arising\nunder the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cwlth),\nschedule 2, part 2-2, 3-1, 3-3 or 3-4, as the part applies as a law\nof the Commonwealth;\n(c) no matter for determination in the proceeding is a special federal\nmatter; and\n(d) the proceeding is not a proceeding by way of an appeal from a\njudgment of a court; and\n(e) a court of the Australian Capital Territory, other than the\nSupreme Court, has jurisdiction in respect of all matters for\ndetermination in the proceeding;\nthe court referred to in paragraph (a) may, on the application of a party\nto the proceeding or of its own initiative, transfer the proceeding to\nthe court referred to in paragraph (e).\n11 Conduct of proceedings\n(1) If it appears to a court that the court will, or will be likely to, in\ndetermining a matter for determination in a proceeding, be exercising\njurisdiction invested or conferred by this Act or by a law of the\nCommonwealth or another State relating to cross-vesting of\njurisdiction—\n(a) subject to paragraphs (b) and (c), the court must, in determining\nthat matter, apply the law in force in the State or Territory where\nthe court is sitting (including choice of law rules); and\n\nSection 12\nR4\n21/03/25\nJurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting) Act 1993\nEffective: 21/03/25\npage 19\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(b) subject to paragraph (c), if that matter is a right of action arising\nunder a written law of another State or Territory, the court must,\nin determining that matter, apply the written and unwritten law\nof that other State or Territory; and\n(c) the rules of evidence and procedure to be applied in dealing with\nthat matter must be such as the court considers appropriate in the\ncircumstances, being rules that are applied in a superior court in\nAustralia or in an external Territory of Australia.\n(2) The reference in subsection (1) (a) to the State or Territory where the\ncourt is sitting is, in relation to the Federal Court or the Family Court,\na reference to the State or Territory where any matter for\ndetermination in the proceeding was first commenced in or\ntransferred to that court.\n(3) If a proceeding is transferred or removed to a court (the transferee\ncourt) from another court (the transferor court), the transferee court\nmust deal with the proceeding as if, subject to any order of the\ntransferee court, the steps that had been taken for the purposes of the\nproceeding in the transferor court (including the making of an order),\nor similar steps, had been taken in the transferee court.\n12 Orders as to costs\nIf a proceeding is transferred or removed to a court, that court may\nmake an order as to costs that relate to the conduct of the proceeding\nbefore the transfer or removal if those costs have not already been\ndealt with by another court.\n13 Limitation on appeals\nAn appeal does not lie from a decision of a court—\n(a) in relation to the transfer or removal of a proceeding under this\nAct; or\n(b) as to which rules of evidence and procedure are to be applied\nunder section 11 (1) (c).\n\nSection 14\npage 20 Jurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting) Act 1993\nEffective: 21/03/25\nR4\n21/03/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n14 Enforcement and effect of judgments\n(1) A judgment of the Federal Court or the Family Court that is given, in\nwhole or in part, in the exercise of jurisdiction conferred by a law or\nlaws relating to cross-vesting of jurisdiction is enforceable in the\nAustralian Capital Territory as if the judgment had been given\nentirely in the exercise of the jurisdiction of that court apart from any\nsuch law.\n(2) A judgment of the Supreme Court that is given, in whole or in part,\nin the exercise of jurisdiction conferred by a law or laws relating to\ncross-vesting of jurisdiction is enforceable in the Australian Capital\nTerritory as if the judgment had been given entirely in the exercise of\nthe jurisdiction of the Supreme Court apart from any such law.\n(3) If—\n(a) a provision of a law of the Australian Capital Territory (not\nbeing a law relating to the enforcement of judgments) refers to\na thing done by the Supreme Court; and\n(b) that thing is done by another court in exercise of jurisdiction\nconferred by this Act;\nthe reference in that provision to the Supreme Court is a reference to\nthat other court.\n15 Suspension of Act and revocation of suspension\n(1) The Executive may, if a declaration has not been made under\nsection 16, declare in writing that the operation of this Act is\nsuspended on a stated day (the suspension day).\n(2) However, the Executive may make the declaration only if the\nAttorney-General has given notice of his or her intention to seek the\nmaking of such a declaration to the Commonwealth and each other\nState (other than a State in relation to which a declaration under\nsection 17 is in force) not earlier than 6 months before the suspension\nday.\n\nSection 16\nR4\n21/03/25\nJurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting) Act 1993\nEffective: 21/03/25\npage 21\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(3) The declaration is a notifiable instrument.\nNote A notifiable instrument must be notified under the Legislation Act 2001.\n(4) This Act ceases to be in force on the suspension day.\n(5) The Executive may, in writing, revoke a declaration under\nsubsection (1).\n(6) The revocation is a notifiable instrument.\n(7) This Act again comes into force on the revocation of the declaration.\n16 Cessation of Act\n(1) If the Executive is satisfied that the Acts of the Commonwealth and\nthe other States relating to cross-vesting of jurisdiction are not\neffective to invest the Supreme Court with, or confer on that court,\njurisdiction of the Federal Court, the Family Court or a Supreme\nCourt of another State or a Territory, the Executive may, in writing,\ndeclare that this Act ceases to be in force from a stated day (the\ncessation day).\n(2) The declaration is a notifiable instrument.\nNote A notifiable instrument must be notified under the Legislation Act 2001.\n(3) This Act ceases to be in force on the cessation day.\n17 Cessation of Act in relation to Commonwealth etc\n(1) If the Executive is satisfied that an Act of the Commonwealth or\nanother State relating to cross-vesting of jurisdiction has been\nrepealed, rendered inoperative, suspended or altered in a substantial\nway, the Executive may, in writing, declare that this Act ceases to be\nin force in relation to the Commonwealth, State or Territory (the\nrelevant jurisdiction) on a stated day (the cessation day).\n(2) The declaration is a notifiable instrument.\nNote A notifiable instrument must be notified under the Legislation Act 2001.\n\nSection 17\npage 22 Jurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting) Act 1993\nEffective: 21/03/25\nR4\n21/03/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(3) This Act ceases to be in force in relation to the relevant jurisdiction\non the cessation day.\n(4) If the Executive is subsequently satisfied that—\n(a) an Act of the relevant jurisdiction relating to cross-vesting of\njurisdiction is in force; and\n(b) the terms of that Act substantially correspond to this Act;\nthe Executive may, in writing, declare that this Act applies in relation\nto the relevant jurisdiction on a stated day (the reapplication day).\n(5) The declaration is a notifiable instrument.\n(6) This Act again applies in relation to the relevant jurisdiction on and\nfrom the reapplication day.\n\nDictionary\nR4\n21/03/25\nJurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting) Act 1993\nEffective: 21/03/25\npage 23\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDictionary\n(see s 2)\nNote 1 The Legislation Act contains definitions and other provisions relevant to\nthis Act.\nNote 2 For example, the Legislation Act, dict, pt 1 defines the following terms:\n• Commonwealth\n• Executive\n• Federal Court\n• notifiable instrument (see s 10)\n• Supreme Court.\nACT matter means a matter—\n(a) in which the Supreme Court has jurisdiction otherwise than by\nreason of a law of the Commonwealth or of another State; or\n(b) removed to the Supreme Court under section 8.\nFamily Court means the Family Court of Australia.\nFull Court, in relation to a Supreme Court of a State, includes a court\nof the State to which appeals lie from a single judge of that Supreme\nCourt.\njudgment means a judgment, decree or order, whether final or\ninterlocutory.\nparty, in relation to a proceeding, includes a person who intervenes\nin the proceeding.\nproceeding does not include a criminal proceeding.\nspecial federal matter—see the Jurisdiction of Courts (Cross-\nvesting) Act 1987 (Cwlth), section 3 (1).\nState means the Australian Capital Territory, the Northern Territory\nor a State of the Commonwealth.\n\nDictionary\npage 24 Jurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting) Act 1993\nEffective: 21/03/25\nR4\n21/03/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nState Family Court, in relation to a State, means a court of that State\nto which the Family Law Act 1975 (Cwlth), section 41 applies under\na proclamation made under that Act, section 41 (2).\nTerritory does not include the Australian Capital Territory or the\nNorthern Territory.\n\nEndnotes\nAbout the endnotes 1\nR4\n21/03/25\nJurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting) Act 1993\nEffective: 21/03/25\npage 25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nEndnotes\n1 About the endnotes\nAmending and modifying laws are annotated in the legislation history and the\namendment history. Current modifications are not included in the republished law\nbut are set out in the endnotes.\nNot all editorial amendments made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 are\nannotated in the amendment history. Full details of any amendments can be\nobtained from the Parliamentary Counsel’s Office.\nUncommenced amending laws are not included in the republished law. The details\nof these laws are underlined in the legislation history. Uncommenced expiries are\nunderlined in the legislation history and amendment history.\nIf all the provisions of the law have been renumbered, a table of renumbered\nprovisions gives details of previous and current numbering.\nThe endnotes also include a table of earlier republications.\n2 Abbreviation key\nA = Act NI = Notifiable instrument\nAF = Approved form o = order\nam = amended om = omitted/repealed\namdt = amendment ord = ordinance\nAR = Assembly resolution orig = original\nch = chapter par = paragraph/subparagraph\nCN = Commencement notice pres = present\ndef = definition prev = previous\nDI = Disallowable instrument (prev...) = previously\ndict = dictionary pt = part\ndisallowed = disallowed by the Legislative r = rule/subrule\nAssembly reloc = relocated\ndiv = division renum = renumbered\nexp = expires/expired R[X] = Republication No\nGaz = gazette RI = reissue\nhdg = heading s = section/subsection\nIA = Interpretation Act 1967 sch = schedule\nins = inserted/added sdiv = subdivision\nLA = Legislation Act 2001 SL = Subordinate law\nLR = legislation register sub = substituted\nLRA = Legislation (Republication) Act 1996 underlining = whole or part not commenced\nmod = modified/modification or to be expired\n\nEndnotes\n3 Legislation history\npage 26 Jurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting) Act 1993\nEffective: 21/03/25\nR4\n21/03/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n3 Legislation history\nJurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting) Act 1993 A1993-60\nnotified 6 September 1993 (Gaz 1993 No S172)\ns 1, s 2 commenced 6 September 1993 (s 2 (1))\nremainder commenced 17 April 1997 (s 2 (2) and Cwlth A1997-34)\nas amended by\nLegal Practitioners (Consequential Amendments) Act 1997 A1997-96\nsch 1\nnotified 1 December 1997 (Gaz 1997 No S380)\ns 1, s 2 commenced 1 December 1997 (s 2 (1))\nsch 1 commenced 1 June 1998 (s 2 (2))\nLegislation (Consequential Amendments) Act 2001 A2001-44 pt 202\nnotified 26 July 2001 (Gaz 2001 No 30)\ns 1, s 2 commenced 26 July 2001 (IA s 10B)\npt 202 commenced 12 September 2001 (s 2 and see Gaz 2001\nNo S65)\nJurisdiction of Courts Legislation Amendment Act 2001 A2001-71\nsch 1 pt 3\nnotified LR 14 September 2001\ncommenced 14 September 2001 (s 2)\nStatute Law Amendment Act 2007 (No 3) A2007-39 sch 3 pt 3.21\nnotified LR 6 December 2007\ns 1, s 2 commenced 6 December 2007 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 3 pt 3.21 commenced 27 December 2007 (s 2)\nFair Trading (Australian Consumer Law) Amendment Act 2010\nA2010-54 sch 3 pt 3.13\nnotified LR 16 December 2010\ns 1, s 2 commenced 16 December 2010 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 3 pt 3.13 commenced 1 January 2011 (s 2 (1))\nJustice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2025\n(No 2) A2025-3 sch 1 pt 1.6\nnotified LR 14 March 2025\ns 1, s 2 commenced 14 March 2025 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 1 pt 1.6 commenced 21 March 2025 (s 2)\n\nEndnotes\nAmendment history 4\nR4\n21/03/25\nJurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting) Act 1993\nEffective: 21/03/25\npage 27\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n4 Amendment history\nName of Act\ns 1 sub A2001-71 amdt 1.21\nDictionary\ns 2 sub A2001-71 amdt 1.21\nReference to Supreme Court of State\ns 3 def special federal matter om A2001-71 amdt 1.22\ndefs reloc to dict A2001-71 amdt 1.23\nom A2001-71 amdt 1.24\nins A2001-71 amdt 1.25\nTransfer of proceedings\ns 5 am A1997-96 sch 1; A2025-3 amdt 1.16\nSpecial federal matters—general rules\ns 6 hdg sub A2001-71 amdt 1.26\ns 6 am A2025-3 amdt 1.14, amdt 1.16\nSpecial federal matters—Commonwealth authorities or officers acting under\nTerritory laws\ns 6A ins A2001-71 amdt 1.27\nInstitution and hearing of appeals\ns 7 am A2025-3 amdt 1.16\nTransfer of matters arising under the Competition and Consumer Act, pt 5,\ndiv 1 or div 1A\ns 10 hdg am A2010-54 amdt 3.35\ns 10 am A2010-54 amdt 3.36; A2025-3 amdt 1.15\nConduct of proceedings\ns 11 am A2025-3 amdt 1.16\nSuspension of Act and revocation of suspension\ns 15 sub A2001-44 amdt 1.2291\nCessation of Act\ns 16 ins A2001-44 amdt 1.2291\nCessation of Act in relation to Commonwealth etc\ns 17 ins A2001-44 amdt 1.2291\nDictionary\ndict ins A2001-71 amdt 1.28\nam A2007-39 amdt 3.95\ndef ACT matter reloc from s 3 A2001-71 amdt 1.23\ndef Family Court reloc from s 3 A2001-71 amdt 1.23\ndef Federal Court reloc from s 3 A2001-71 amdt 1.23\nom A2007-39 amdt 3.96\ndef Full Court reloc from s 3 A2001-71 amdt 1.23\n\nEndnotes\n4 Amendment history\npage 28 Jurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting) Act 1993\nEffective: 21/03/25\nR4\n21/03/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\ndef judgment reloc from s 3 A2001-71 amdt 1.23\ndef party reloc from s 3 A2001-71 amdt 1.23\ndef proceeding reloc from s 3 A2001-71 amdt 1.23\ndef special federal matter ins A2001-71 amdt 1.28\ndef State reloc from s 3 A2001-71 amdt 1.23\ndef State Family Court reloc from s 3 A2001-71 amdt 1.23\ndef Territory reloc from s 3 A2001-71 amdt 1.23\n\nEndnotes\nEarlier republications 5\nR4\n21/03/25\nJurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting) Act 1993\nEffective: 21/03/25\npage 29\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n5 Earlier republications\nSome earlier republications were not numbered. The number in column 1 refers to\nthe publication order.\nSince 12 September 2001 every authorised republication has been published in\nelectronic pdf format on the ACT legislation register. A selection of authorised\nrepublications have also been published in printed format. These republications are\nmarked with an asterisk (*) in column 1. Electronic and printed versions of an\nauthorised republication are identical.\nRepublication\nNo and date\nEffective Last\namendment\nmade by\nRepublication\nfor\nR1\n7 Mar 2002\n14 Sept 2001–\n26 Dec 2007\nA2001-71 amendments by\nA2001-44 and\nA2001-71\nR2\n27 Dec 2007\n27 Dec 2007–\n31 Dec 2010\nA2007-39 amendments by\nA2007-39\nR3\n1 Jan 2011\n1 Jan 2011–\n20 Mar 2025\nA2010-54 amendments by\nA2010-54\n© Australian Capital Territory 2025","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation remains focused on its original purpose of facilitating cross-vesting of jurisdiction between federal, state and territory courts. While amendments have updated references (e.g., Competition and Consumer Act replacing Trade Practices Act) and refined procedural details (e.g., section 6A added in 2001 to handle Commonwealth authorities under Territory laws), the core scope has not expanded beyond the original intent of enabling efficient case management across jurisdictional boundaries."},"complexity_factors":["Heavy cross-referencing to Commonwealth legislation (Jurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting) Act 1987, Family Law Act 1975, Competition and Consumer Act 2010, Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977, Judiciary Act 1903)","Nested conditional logic in transfer provisions (section 5 has 6 subsections with multi-factor tests involving 'interests of justice' and jurisdictional capability tests)","Multiple defined terms with signpost definitions pointing to external legislation (e.g., 'special federal matter' defined in Commonwealth Act)","Complex interaction between original jurisdiction, accrued jurisdiction, and cross-vested jurisdiction concepts","Specific carve-outs and exceptions (criminal matters excluded, urgent interlocutory relief allowed despite transfer requirements)","Procedural rules for transferred proceedings (section 11) requiring application of different substantive and procedural laws depending on the matter","Sunset and suspension mechanisms (sections 15-17) creating conditional operation based on external legislative changes","Section 6A creates a specific regime for Commonwealth authorities acting under Territory laws with its own transfer logic that modifies general rules in sections 5 and 6"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this law does:**\n\nThis Act is part of a national scheme that allows Australian courts to share jurisdiction (legal power) with each other. It lets the ACT Supreme Court hear certain cases that would normally belong to the Federal Court, Family Court, or Supreme Courts of other States/Territories—and vice versa. This prevents cases from getting stuck or delayed just because they involve multiple legal systems.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n\n- **Litigants (people in court cases)** – If your case involves both ACT law and federal law (or another State's law), this Act helps ensure it gets heard in the most appropriate court rather than being split across multiple courts or dismissed for lack of jurisdiction.\n- **Lawyers** – They can appear in transferred cases even if they're not normally admitted to that court.\n- **The courts** – Supreme Court, Federal Court, and Family Court can transfer cases between themselves when it's in the \"interests of justice.\"\n\n**Key features:**\n\n- **Cross-vesting**: The Federal Court and Family Court can hear ACT matters, and the ACT Supreme Court can hear matters from other jurisdictions.\n- **Transfer of proceedings**: Courts must transfer cases to the \"appropriate\" court based on factors like which laws are involved, where related cases are pending, and the interests of justice.\n- **Special federal matters**: Certain important federal issues (like constitutional questions or judicial review of Commonwealth decisions) generally must go to the Federal Court, unless there are \"special reasons\" to keep them in the ACT Supreme Court.\n- **Appeals**: Special rules prevent appeals from jumping between federal and state systems inappropriately.\n- **Sunset provisions**: The Act can be suspended or cease operation if other States or the Commonwealth change their cross-vesting laws.\n\n**Why it matters:**\n\nWithout this Act, if you sued someone for breach of contract under ACT law *and* breach of federal consumer law, you might have to file two separate cases in two different courts. This Act allows one court to hear both claims, saving time, money, and confusion. It's essentially a practical fix to Australia's federal system, where power is split between Commonwealth and State/Territory governments."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Act has been amended over time to add specific rules for special federal matters (section 6A) and update references (e.g., Competition and Consumer Act), but its core purpose—creating a cross-vesting system to avoid jurisdictional problems—remains unchanged. The scope has not expanded beyond its original intent."},"complexity_factors":["Many multi-layered conditions for transferring proceedings (sections 5, 6, 6A) with subparagraphs and cross-references","References to Commonwealth definitions (e.g., 'special federal matter' from the Jurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting) Act 1987 (Cwlth))","Nested exceptions and special rules for different court types (Federal Court, Family Court, state family courts)","Detailed provisions for appeals (section 7) with multiple exceptions","Rules for removing proceedings from lower courts and tribunals (section 8)","Choice of law provisions (section 11) with conditional application","Suspension and cessation mechanisms (sections 15-17) with notice requirements","Cross-vesting scheme interacts with multiple jurisdictions (Commonwealth, states, territories)"],"plain_english_summary":"This ACT law helps courts share their authority to hear cases, so lawsuits can be moved to the most suitable court—saving time and money. It applies to civil (non-criminal) cases in the ACT Supreme Court, the Federal Court, the Family Court, and other state/territory supreme courts. If a case is started in a court that isn't the best fit, the law allows it to be transferred to a more appropriate court. It also sets out which court hears appeals and how judgments are enforced. This matters because it stops people from having to start a case again in a different court and reduces confusion over which court has the power to decide a case."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/jurisdiction-of-courts-cross-vesting-act-1993","history":"/api/acts/jurisdiction-of-courts-cross-vesting-act-1993/history","analysis":"/api/acts/jurisdiction-of-courts-cross-vesting-act-1993/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/jurisdiction-of-courts-cross-vesting-act-1993/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/jurisdiction-of-courts-cross-vesting-act-1993/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/jurisdiction-of-courts-cross-vesting-act-1993/documents"}}