{"id":"local-court-regulations-2016","name":"LOCAL COURT REGULATIONS 2016","slug":"local-court-regulations-2016","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"nt","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":176966,"registerId":"nt-local-court-regulations-2016-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"LOCAL COURT REGULATIONS 2016","content":"NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA\nLOCAL COURT REGULATIONS 2016\nAs in force at 3 November 2021\nTable of provisions\nPart 1 Preliminary matters\n1 Citation ............................................................................................ 1\n2 Commencement .............................................................................. 1\nPart 2 When JPs may constitute the Court\nDivision 1 Two or more JPs\n3 Court constituted by 2 JPs ............................................................... 1\n4 How Court to act when constituted by 2 or more JPs ...................... 2\nDivision 2 One JP\n5 Court constituted by one JP............................................................. 2\n6 One JP may perform Court's functions under the Bail Act 1982 ...... 3\nPart 3 Fees\n7 Fees ................................................................................................ 3\n8 No fees for certain proceedings ....................................................... 3\n9 Fees for Territory in civil proceedings .............................................. 3\n10 Fees for parties in civil proceedings ................................................ 3\n11 Fees for Territory in criminal proceedings ....................................... 4\n12 Waiver of fee in case of hardship .................................................... 4\nSchedule Fees\nENDNOTES\n\n\n\nNORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA\n____________________\nAs in force at 3 November 2021\n____________________\nLOCAL COURT REGULATIONS 2016\nRegulations under the Local Court Act 2015\nPart 1 Preliminary matters\n1 Citation\nThese Regulations may be cited as the Local Court\nRegulations 2016.\n2 Commencement\nThese Regulations commence on the commencement of the Local\nCourt Act 2015.\nPart 2 When JPs may constitute the Court\nDivision 1 Two or more JPs\n3 Court constituted by 2 JPs\n(1) For section 6(4) of the Act, the Court may be constituted by 2 or\nmore JPs for the purpose of exercising the Court's criminal\njurisdiction as mentioned in subregulations (2) and (3).\n(2) In proceedings relating to a charge of a summary offence, the Court\nconstituted by 2 or more JPs may do either or both of the following:\n(a) anything preliminary to the hearing of the charge;\n(b) if there is no Judge available to constitute the Court to hear\nand determine the charge without the proceedings being\nunreasonably delayed – hear and determine the charge.\n(3) In proceedings relating to a charge of an indictable offence that is to\nbe heard and determined summarily, the Court constituted by 2 or\nmore JPs:\n\nPart 2 When JPs may constitute the Court\nDivision 2 One JP\nLocal Court Regulations 2016 2\n(a) may do anything preliminary to the hearing of the charge; but\n(b) cannot hear and determine the charge.\n4 How Court to act when constituted by 2 or more JPs\n(1) If the Court is constituted by 2 or more JPs, both or all of them must\nbe present and acting together.\n(2) If the Court is constituted by 2 JPs, the decision of the Court is:\n(a) the unanimous decision of both of them; or\n(b) if they cannot agree – the decision of the one who was first\nappointed as a JP.\n(3) If the Court is constituted by more than 2 JPs, the decision of the\nCourt is:\n(a) the unanimous decision of all of them; or\n(b) the decision of a majority of them; or\n(c) if there is an equality of votes – the decision of the one who\nwas first appointed as a JP.\nDivision 2 One JP\n5 Court constituted by one JP\n(1) For section 6(4) of the Act, the Court may be constituted by one JP\nfor the purpose of exercising the Court's criminal jurisdiction as\nmentioned in subregulation (2).\n(2) In proceedings relating to a charge of a summary offence, the Court\nconstituted by one JP may do either or both of the following:\n(a) anything preliminary to the hearing of the charge;\n(b) if the criteria mentioned in subregulation (3) are satisfied –\nhear and determine the charge.\n(3) The criteria for subregulation (2)(b) are that:\n(a) the offence is an offence against a law in force in the Territory;\nand\n(b) the offence is not punishable by a term of imprisonment; and\n(c) the maximum fine that may be imposed on an individual for\nthe offence is not more than 10 penalty units; and\n\nPart 3 Fees\nLocal Court Regulations 2016 3\n(d) the parties have given written consent to the charge being\nheard and determined by the Court constituted by one JP.\n6 One JP may perform Court's functions under the Bail Act 1982\nThe Court may be constituted by one JP for the purposes of\nperforming the Court's functions under the Bail Act 1982 (except as\notherwise provided in that Act).\nPart 3 Fees\n7 Fees\n(1) The Schedule prescribes the fees payable in relation to\nproceedings and for other matters listed in the Schedule.\n(2) The fees are specified in revenue units unless otherwise indicated.\n(3) The fees are payable:\n(a) to the Court unless otherwise specified; and\n(b) at the time specified in the Schedule.\n(4) This regulation is subject to regulations 8 to 12.\n8 No fees for certain proceedings\nNo fees are payable in relation to proceedings under the Domestic\nand Family Violence Act 2007 or the Personal Violence Restraining\nOrders Act 2016.\n9 Fees for Territory in civil proceedings\n(1) This regulation applies in relation to a person acting in civil\nproceedings for or by the authority of the Territory.\n(2) The person is exempt from payment of the fees specified in the\nSchedule, items 1 and 2.\n(3) The person is entitled to recover an amount equal to the fee that\nwould otherwise have been payable as part of a judgment debt as if\nit were a cost incurred.\n(4) On recovery of the judgement debt, the person must pay an amount\nequal to the fee to the Court.\n10 Fees for parties in civil proceedings\n(1) This regulation applies in relation to the parties to civil proceedings.\n\nPart 3 Fees\nLocal Court Regulations 2016 4\n(2) The parties are exempt from payment of the fees specified in the\nSchedule, item 4.\n11 Fees for Territory in criminal proceedings\n(1) This regulation applies where criminal proceedings are commenced\nunder the Act by:\n(a) a police officer in the officer's capacity as an officer; or\n(b) in relation to legislation that is administered by an Agency\nwithin the meaning of the Public Sector Employment and\nManagement Act 1993:\n(i) an employee, as defined in that Act; or\n(ii) a Chief Executive Officer, as defined in that Act.\n(2) The officer, employee or Chief Executive Officer is exempt from\npayment of the fees specified in the Schedule, item 8, 9, 10, 11\nand 13, unless otherwise ordered by the Court.\n12 Waiver of fee in case of hardship\nA registrar may waive payment of all or part of any of the following\nfees, subject to any written directions given by the principal\nregistrar, if satisfied that payment of the fee would cause financial\nhardship to the person otherwise required to pay it:\n(a) a fee specified in the Schedule, item 1, 2, 3, or 4;\n(b) a fee specified in the Schedule, item 8, that is prescribed for\nfiling a complaint, information or application.\n\nSchedule Fees\nLocal Court Regulations 2016 5\nSchedule Fees\nregulation 7\nFee\n(revenue units)\nPart 1 Civil Jurisdiction\n1 Filing\n(Payable at time of filing)\n(a) Statement of claim or originating application under Part 7 of\nthe Local Court (Civil Jurisdiction) Rules 1998 seeking\nmonetary relief where the amount is:\n(i) more than $5 000 but less than $10 000 .......................... 232\n(ii) $10 000 or more but less than $20 000 ............................ 355\n(iii) $20 000 or more ............................................................... 435\n(iv) an unspecified amount ..................................................... 435\n(b) Statement of claim or originating application under Part 7 of\nthe Local Court (Civil Jurisdiction) Rules 1998 other than a\nclaim or application seeking monetary relief ............................. 232\n(c) Statement of claim or originating application under Part 7 of\nthe Local Court (Civil Jurisdiction) Rules 1998 seeking relief\nother than monetary relief in addition to, or as an alternative to,\nmonetary relief where the amount to which the other than\nmonetary relief is in addition, or is an alternative, is:\n(i) more than $5 000 but less than $10 000 .......................... 232\n(ii) $10 000 or more but less than $20 000 ............................ 355\n(iii) $20 000 or more ............................................................... 435\n(iv) an unspecified amount ..................................................... 435\n(d) Application for an interpleader order under Part 14 of the Local\nCourt (Civil Jurisdiction) Rules 1998 ......................................... 126\n(e) Application for an order under Part 18 of the Local Court (Civil\nJurisdiction) Rules 1998 seeking preliminary discovery or\ndiscovery from a non-party ....................................................... 126\n(f) Application for a re-hearing under Part 36 of the Local Court\n(Civil Jurisdiction) Rules 1998 .................................................. 271\n(g) Notice of appeal under Part 37 of the Local Court (Civil\nJurisdiction) Rules 1998 ........................................................... 115\n(h) Application for the issue of a warrant ........................................ 62\n\nSchedule Fees\nLocal Court Regulations 2016 6\n(i) Application for an order under Chapter 2 of the Local Court\n(Civil Jurisdiction) Rules 1998 .................................................. 62\n(j) Judgment filed for registration under section 105 of the Service\nand Execution of Process Act 1992 (Cth) ................................. 134\n(k) Any other application ................................................................ 126\n2 Taxation of costs\n(Payable at time of filing)\nFiling a bill of costs under Part 38 of the Local Court (Civil\nJurisdiction) Rules 1998 ........................................................... 385\n3 Orders\n(Payable on demand)\nCertified copy of order under Part 35 of the Local Court (Civil\nJurisdiction) Rules 1998 ........................................................... 66\n4 Inspection of court records\n(Payable at time of access or inspection)\n(a) Access to case file under section 29(2) of the Act .................... 22\n(b) Inspection of judgment or order under section 30(1) of the Act 22\n(c) Access to an exhibit admitted into evidence under\nsection 31(2) of the Act ............................................................. 22\n5 Service\n(Payable to bailiff on demand after service or 2 unsuccessful\nattempts to serve)\nBailiff fee for service under rule 5 of the Local Court (General)\nRules 2016 ............................................................................... 125\n6 Execution of warrants\n(Payable to bailiff on execution of warrant)\n(a) Bailiff fee for execution of warrant of possession ...................... 136\n(b) Bailiff fee for execution of warrant of seizure and sale where\nthe value of property to be seized is:\n(i) less than $5 000 ............................................................... 91\n(ii) $5 000 or more but less than $20 000 .............................. 136\n(iii) $20 000 or more ............................................................... 180\n(c) Bailiff fee for execution of other warrants .................................. 65\n\nSchedule Fees\nLocal Court Regulations 2016 7\n6A Court transcripts\n(Payable on demand)\n(a) Copy of transcript not on case file – per page ........................... 14\n(b) Certification of copy of any transcript ......................................... 10\n7 Photocopying\n(Payable on demand)\nPhotocopying by Court staff – per page .................................... 2\nPart 2 Criminal Jurisdiction\n8 Filing\n(Payable at time of filing)\nComplaint, information, application ........................................... 87\nNotice of appeal ........................................................................ 124\n9 Issue of summons\n(Payable before summons issued)\nIssue of summons ..................................................................... 23\n10 Service\n(Payable before service is attempted)\nFee for service of summons, application, notice or order by\nbailiff ......................................................................................... 33\n11 Warrants\n(Payable before warrant issued or executed)\n(i) for issue of warrant ........................................................... 52\n(ii) for execution ..................................................................... 51\n12 Orders for payment of money\n(Payable before order issued or executed)\nOrder for payment of a fine or other sum of money\n(i) for issue of order .............................................................. 52\n(ii) for execution ..................................................................... 51\n12A Court transcripts\n(Payable on demand)\n(a) Copy of transcript not on case file – per page ........................... 14\n(b) Certification of copy of any transcript ......................................... 10\n\nSchedule Fees\nLocal Court Regulations 2016 8\n13 Photocopying\n(Payable on demand)\nPhotocopying of document in proceedings – per page ............. 2\n14 Certificates of proceeding\n(Payable on demand)\nCertificate given under section 178 of the Evidence (National\nUniform Legislation)\nAct 2011…………………………………………… 42\n\nENDNOTES\nLocal Court Regulations 2016 9\nENDNOTES\n1 KEY\nKey to abbreviations\namd = amended od = order\napp = appendix om = omitted\nbl = by-law pt = Part\nch = Chapter r = regulation/rule\ncl = clause rem = remainder\ndiv = Division renum = renumbered\nexp = expires/expired rep = repealed\nf = forms s = section\nGaz = Gazette sch = Schedule\nhdg = heading sdiv = Subdivision\nins = inserted SL = Subordinate Legislation\nlt = long title sub = substituted\nnc = not commenced\n2 LIST OF LEGISLATION\nLocal Court Regulations (SL No. 16, 2016)\nNotified 29 April 2016\nCommenced 1 May 2016 (r 2, s 2 Local Court Act 2015 (Act No. 15, 2015)\nand Gaz G1, 6 January 2016, p 9)\nLocal Court Amendment Regulations 2016 (SL No. 28, 2016)\nNotified 1 July 2016\nCommenced 1 July 2016\nLocal Court Amendment Regulations 2018 (SL No. 23, 2018)\nNotified 5 December 2018\nCommenced 5 December 2018\nJustice Legislation Amendment Regulations 2021 (SL No. 18, 2021)\nNotified 3 November 2021\nCommenced 3 November 2021\n3 GENERAL AMENDMENTS\nGeneral amendments of a formal nature (which are not referred to in the table\nof amendments to this reprint) are made by the Interpretation Legislation\nAmendment Act 2018 (Act No. 22 of 2018) to: rr 1, 2, 6, 8 and 11 and sch.\n4 LIST OF AMENDMENTS\nr 12 sub No. 5, 2018, r 4\nsch amd No. 28, 2016, r 3; No. 5, 2018, r 5; No. 18, 2021, r 5","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation remains focused on its original purpose: operational rules for JP constitution of the court and fee structures. The amendments tracked in the endnotes appear to be routine updates to fee amounts and minor procedural adjustments rather than scope expansion."},"complexity_factors":["Straightforward structure with only 3 Parts and 12 regulations","Minimal cross-referencing — primarily references to the Local Court Act 2015 and specific Parts of court rules","Clear conditional logic in Part 2 (when JPs can sit) with enumerated criteria in subregulation 5(3)","Fee schedule uses standard tiered structure based on monetary thresholds ($5,000/$10,000/$20,000)","Only one defined term used ('revenue units' — a standard NT mechanism for indexing fees)","No nested exceptions or complex provisos; exemptions in regulations 8-12 are clearly stated","Total length is approximately 8 pages including endnotes"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this legislation does:**\n\nThese regulations set the rules for how the Northern Territory Local Court operates, specifically covering two main areas:\n\n1. **Who can hear cases:** The regulations spell out when Justices of the Peace (JPs) — volunteers who help with court work but aren't full judges — can run court hearings. \n   - **Two or more JPs** can handle minor criminal cases (summary offences) if no judge is available, and can do preliminary work on more serious cases.\n   - **One JP** can only hear very minor criminal cases on their own — specifically where there's no risk of jail time, the maximum fine is small (10 penalty units or less), and everyone involved agrees in writing. One JP can also handle bail applications.\n   - When multiple JPs sit together, they must agree unanimously, or if they can't agree, the most senior JP (the one appointed first) decides.\n\n2. **Court fees:** The regulations set out what people must pay to use the court system, including:\n   - Filing fees for starting civil cases (which vary depending on how much money is being claimed)\n   - Fees for serving documents, executing warrants, and getting copies of court records\n   - **Exemptions:** No fees for domestic violence cases, and the Territory government doesn't pay fees in civil cases (though they must pay back any fees if they win and recover money)\n   - **Hardship waiver:** Court registrars can waive fees for people who can't afford them\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Anyone using the NT Local Court (criminal defendants, people suing or being sued)\n- Justices of the Peace who sit as the court\n- Lawyers and police\n- The Northern Territory government\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThese rules determine whether you get a real judge or a JP for your case, which affects the seriousness of the hearing. They also determine how much justice costs — with important protections for vulnerable people (domestic violence victims and those facing financial hardship)."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The instrument has been amended since original notification. Endnotes record amendment instruments on 1 July 2016 (SL No. 28, 2016), 5 December 2018 (SL No. 23, 2018) and 3 November 2021 (SL No. 18, 2021), and note general formal amendments to rr 1, 2, 6, 8 and 11 and the Schedule. Specific citations: \"r 12 sub No. 5, 2018, r 4\" and \"sch amd No. 28, 2016, r 3; No. 5, 2018, r 5; No. 18, 2021, r 5\" show the Schedule and at least regulation 12 have been altered, indicating changes to fee and waiver provisions and related technical provisions."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple thresholds and conditions for when one JP may hear and determine a charge (offence type, no imprisonment, maximum fine ≤ 10 penalty units, written consent) increasing factual/application complexity (reg 5(3)).","Decision‑making rules for panels of 2 or more JPs with tie‑breaking by seniority and majority/unanimity requirements (reg 4(2)–(3)).","Extensive fee Schedule with many line items, different timing and payee rules, and fees expressed in revenue units requiring conversion for monetary budgeting (reg 7 and Schedule).","Several specific fee exemptions and recovery mechanisms for Territory actors and parties in civil/criminal proceedings that alter who ultimately bears costs (regs 8–11).","Registrar discretion to waive fees for hardship subject to written directions from the principal registrar, introducing administrative discretion and procedural risk (reg 12).","Numerous cross‑references to other statutes and court rules (Local Court Act 2015, Bail Act 1982, Local Court (Civil Jurisdiction) Rules 1998, Evidence (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011), requiring concurrent interpretation and coordination."],"plain_english_summary":"These Regulations set when one or more Justices of the Peace (JPs) may sit as the Local Court for criminal matters and they prescribe the court fees, exemptions and waiver rules. They say which summary matters a single JP or a panel of JPs can hear, list fees for filing, service, warrants and transcripts, and create fee exemptions for certain Territory actors and family/domestic violence proceedings. They affect litigants, JPs, registrars, police and government agencies by allocating decision‑making authority, fee liabilities, recovery mechanisms and limited waiver discretion."},"summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Insufficient content is present in the provided document to assess whether the scope changed from the original legislative intent. The document appears to be a metadata/header extract only, with no substantive provisions available for comparison."},"complexity_factors":["The document provided contains almost no substantive legislative content — only metadata and structural headings","Local Court regulations are typically administrative and procedural in nature, which tends to be less complex than substantive law","No specific provisions, schedules, or operative clauses are visible to assess technical complexity","Limited jurisdictional information provided makes it difficult to assess cross-referencing complexity with parent legislation"],"plain_english_summary":"These regulations set out the practical administrative rules for how the Local Court operates in an Australian jurisdiction, covering case management and procedures for minor criminal and small civil matters; they affect litigants, lawyers, court staff, and magistrates.\n\nThey govern filing, forms, fees and timeframes—procedural details that can affect case outcomes. The extract provided is largely structural/metadata, limiting a detailed provision-by-provision analysis. In force since 3 November 2021."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/local-court-regulations-2016","history":"/api/acts/local-court-regulations-2016/history","analysis":"/api/acts/local-court-regulations-2016/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/local-court-regulations-2016/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/local-court-regulations-2016/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/local-court-regulations-2016/documents"}}