Construction work affecting access to the courts. Read more here.

ACT Courts and Tribunal Logo Courts Registry Closure

The ACT Courts Registry counter will be closed from

4:30pm on Tuesday 23 December 2025

and will re-open at

9:00 am on Monday 5 January 2026

Duty Court for Criminal Matters

Duty Court will be accessible via the Childrens Court entrance (located to the left of the main Court entrance when facing the building).

A duty magistrate will hear bail applications and emergency care proceedings every day except Thursday 25 December 2025 and Sunday 28 December 2025.

Payment of fines

Fines cannot be paid when the registry is closed. Fines may be paid when the registry re-opens on Monday 5 January 2026.

Direct debit deductions due Thursday 25 December and Thursday 1 January are cancelled. Deductions will commence on the next scheduled date.

Justices of the Peace (JPs)

The Justice of the Peace service will cease on Thursday 18 December 2025, and restart on Monday 12 January 2026.

After-hours Family Violence Orders

If immediate and urgent protection is needed outside of regular business hours, Police can make an application for an After-Hours Family Violence Order. A person seeking protection outside of regular business hours should contact police by telephone on 000 for urgent matters or 131 444 for non-urgent police assistance or attend a police station.

A judicial officer can make an After-Hours Family Violence Order if there is a risk of:

  • violence to a person, and the order is immediately necessary to ensure the person’s safety
  • substantial damage to a person’s property.

The following agencies can provide support for these matters:

  • Domestic Violence Crisis Service (24 hours a day, 265 days a year) – 02 6280 0900
  • Legal Aid ACT (Mon-Thurs 8:30am to 7pm, Friday 8.30am to 5.00pm) – 1300 654 314

Emergency Court Proceedings

You may request the Court Registry to be opened during the shutdown period by telephoning to (02) 6207 1203 and paying the applicable fees outlined in the Fees Determination available from our Court website at www.courts.act.gov.au.

More Information