General

What cases will be heard before the Court today?

The Daily Law List contains a schedule of matters to be heard before the Court. It is published online every evening for the following day and is also published in The Courier Mail. You can also subscribe to the Law List to receive free regular email updates.

How do I find out about Jury Duty?

Jury service enquiries can be made on 07 3247 4761. A recorded information service for jurors is available by phoning 07 3247 4268.

The Queensland Courts website provides additional Information for Jurors, including the Juror’s Handbook.

How do I obtain a transcript of a court case?

To obtain a transcript of a case heard in the Supreme or District Court, contact the State Reporting Bureau on 07 3247 4360 or visit the Queensland Courts website for further information.

Where can I get copies of court documents?

The Library does not hold original court documents other than Queensland Judgments. You should contact the court registry in the relevant location.

How can I access the Internet in the Courts?

The Library provides Internet equipped PCs in Brisbane, Cairns, Townsville and Rockhampton. Free wireless Internet access is also available within a designated area of the Library in Brisbane, on level 4 of the Courts building. Broadband Internet access, using wireless technology, is available in many courtrooms throughout Queensland. See the Queensland Courts website for further information.

How can I find information about Queensland judges?

The SCQL maintains a database of judicial profiles and publications, which can be accessed via the Queensland Judiciary link on this site. Profiles of current members of the judiciary can be accessed via the name index on the Judicial Profiles page. Alternatively, you can search the database using a simple keyword search or limit your search, via the Search Profiles page.

It is also possible to construct complex search queries using this database. The following Boolean operators can be used to refine your search:

AND – this is a default term in every search and only needs to be used in conjunction with parentheses.

OR – this can be used to search two similar terms. Example judicial OR judge will retrieve all profiles that contain either the word judicial or judge.

NOT – this can be used to exclude a particular term from your search results. Example judge NOT magistrate will retrieve all profiles that contain the word judge, but will exclude any that contain the word magistrate.

Parentheses can also be used when conducting an advanced search. Example Townsville AND (judge OR judicial).

Exact phrase searching can be done using double quotation marks. This will allow you to search for an exact phrase where the words must appear in the order entered. Example “Land Court Judge”.

Where can I find information on Probate?

The forms needed to apply for Probate can be found on the Courts website with the Civil Procedure forms. Most of the forms you are likely to use will be numbered between 100 and 126. Further information on Probate can be obtained from the Department of Justice website.

Where can I find the court rules and procedures?

The Uniform Civil Procedure Rules outline court rules and procedures. Copies are available within the Library or online via the Office of the Queensland Parliamentary Counsel website.

Where can I find court forms?

Civil procedure and criminal practice forms are published on the Queensland Courts website.

Where can I find practice directions?

Practice directions are published on the Queensland Courts website.

Where can I find Scale of Costs information?

The Uniform Civil Procedure Rules (UCPR) contain the Scale of Costs for Supreme, District and Magistrate Courts – see schedule 1, 2, and 3 of the UCPR.

Where can I obtain legal advice?

The Library provides a legal research service on a fee basis, however staff are not able to provide any legal advice. People seeking legal advice should contact a solicitor (see the Queensland Law Society), Legal Aid Queensland or the National Association of Community Legal Centres.

How should I address a member of the judiciary?

The Department of the Premier and Cabinet has published a Protocol Handbook, which provides information on titles and the correct form of address for members of the judiciary and other dignitaries. The SCQL’s Queensland Judiciary database also provides a complete list of current judges and their respective titles.

How do I apply for a job at the Library?

Anyone interested in a career with the Supreme Court of Queensland Library should send an expression of interest, together with a current CV and academic transcript, to the Librarian. For further information and to view any advertised positions, please visit our employment page. See also the Queensland Jobs website for other job opportunities within the Courts.

Can I access Library resources remotely?

Individual registered members of the Supreme Court of Queensland Library are entitled to remote access to a range of library subscription services for personal research and study purposes. Please note though that some subscription services can only be accessed from within the Library, even for registered members. Anyone is entitled to access resources in the public domain from the catalogue.

A limited number of key remote resources are easily accessible from the Quick Links menu on the homepage of the SCQL website. Alternatively, the following methods can be used to search the SCQL Catalogue:

• Select SCQL Catalogue from the main menu and search for the desired resource.
• Use the Quick Search panel located at the top of every page of the SCQL website. Please ensure that the SCQL Catalogue option is selected prior to commencing a search.
• Execute an Electronic Resources search from the Search Options menu of the SCQL Catalogue to search by title or subject, or browse an alphabetical list of database titles. Online access to individual titles is available via the links at the bottom of the resource's catalogue record.
• Login to My Account with the username and password that were provided to you by the Library upon registration and search for the desired resource.

Please note: Not all resources listed as a result of a catalogue search will be available for remote access.

Once you have located the resource, please confirm that you are entitled to access it by referring to Authorised Users in the Terms of Use section of the resource’s catalogue record.

If you are an authorised user, you can access the resource by clicking on the link designated for online access in the Holdings section of the catalogue record. You may be required to login to view the resource. If so, use the username and password that were provided to you by the Library upon registration. Normally, you will only be prompted to login (authenticate) once per web browser session to access these resources. Please note that you will be required to separately authenticate to access other SCQL secure online services including Document Delivery, Queensland Legal Updater and QLI Online.

If you experience difficulties accessing a resource remotely, please ensure that:

• You are a registered member of the Supreme Court of Queensland Library. Please refer to How do I become a member of the library? for further details.
• You are entitled to access the resource. Please refer to Authorised Users in the Terms of Use section of the resource's catalogue record.
• The resource is currently available. If the Library has been notified of a scheduled outage for upgrades or maintenance by a service provider, details of the outage will be displayed in the Record Summary section of the resource's catalogue record.
• Your organisation's firewall or web filtering software are not preventing access to the resource. Please contact your IT department for assistance.

If you are still unable to access a resource after following the above steps, please contact the Reference Desk.

Judgments

How can I find unreported judgments?

The full-text of Queensland judgments have been published on the Library website since January 2000. Court of Appeal judgments are available online from 1992. The Library holds judgments in its print collection from 1979 for the Supreme Court and 1984 for the District Court. Hard copy judgments are also available for other Queensland Courts.

How soon after the judgment is delivered will it be posted on website?

Judgments are published within 24 hours of receipt by the Library.

How do I find a judgment for a criminal trial?

No judgment is published for a criminal trial in the first instance. Transcripts of the sentencing remarks can be purchased from the State Reporting Bureau (07 3247 4360). Judgments are published for criminal trials on appeal. Search full-text judgments on this site or contact the Reference Desk for further assistance.

How do I find sentencing information?

Selected Sentencing Remarks are published on this website or transcripts can be purchased from the State Reporting Bureau (07 3247 4360). Alternatively, the Queensland Sentencing Information Service is an online database of comparative sentencing information for the Court of Appeal, available from PCs in the Brisbane Library.

How do I find a Magistrates Court decision?

The Magistrates Court does not publish judgments, however transcripts can be purchased from the registry of the court in which the matter was heard. See the Queensland Courts website for more details.

How can I search Queensland judgments?

You can search the judgments database on this site via the Queensland Judgments menu. The search facility will perform a simple keyword search based on terms entered, or you can construct more complex search queries using the Boolean operators, as outlined below. You can also limit your search by selecting a specific court from the drop down list. This is a full-text search which will find the given term/s anywhere in the citation, headnote or full text of the judgment.

AND – this is a default term in every search and only needs to be used in conjunction with parentheses.

OR – this can be used to search two similar terms. Example Rogers OR Rodgers will retrieve all judgments that contain either the word Rogers or Rodgers.

NOT – this can be used to exclude a particular term from your search results. Example insurance NOT liability will retrieve all judgments that contain the word insurance, but will exclude any that contain the word liability.

Parentheses can also be used when conducting an advanced search. Example Townsville AND (Rogers OR Rodgers).

Exact phrase searching can be done using double quotation marks. This will allow you to search for an exact phrase where the words must appear in the order entered. Example “Supreme Court Procedure”.

IT Support

How do I save an Open Office document to Word format?

Select File > Save As. A dialogue box pops up to allow you to name and select where to store the file. Select the Microsoft Word 97/2000/XP (.doc) option from the File type dropdown menu and click Save.

How do I adjust text size in my browser?

Most graphical browsers allow you to change the size of text on this and other sites. Instructions for common browsers are provided below; alternatively, consult the online help for your browser.

Instructions for users with Internet Explorer

1. Select Text Size from the View menu
2. Choose preferred text size

Instructions for Windows users with Firefox

1. Select Text Size from the View menu
2. To make text larger: Select Increase or Ctrl++
   To make text smaller: Select Decrease or Ctrl+-
   To return text to its default size: Select Normal or Ctrl+0
3. To change the default text size:
   1. Select Options from the Tools menu
   2. Select the Content icon
   3. In Fonts & Colors, select preferred size

Instructions for Macintosh users with Firefox

1. Select Text Size from the View menu
2. To make text larger: Select Increase or Command++
   To make text smaller: Select Decrease or Command+-
   To return text to its default size: Select Normal or Command+0
   (The Command key on a Macintosh is indicated by an Apple or cloverleaf symbol)
3. To change the default text size:
   1. Select Preferences from the Firefox menu
   2. Select the Content icon
   3. In Fonts & Colors, select preferred size

Instructions for users with Safari

To make text larger: Select Make Text Bigger from the View menu or Command++
To make text smaller: Select Make Text Smaller from the View menu or Command+-
(The Command key on a Macintosh is indicated by an Apple or cloverleaf symbol)

What are access keys?

Access keys have been added to menu options to allow navigation by shortcuts. A list of these access keys has been provided below, however (in most cases) the relevant letter is underlined in the menu to indicate the access key assignment for a link. In Windows, you can navigate with the access key feature by holding down the Alt key and pressing the relevant letter key. Internet Explorer users may also need to press the Enter key to activate a link. On a Macintosh, hold down the Ctrl key while you type the relevant letter.

Please note that access keys are not available in all web browsers.

Access keys for this website include:

• (A) About SCQL
• (H) History Program
• (P) SCQL Publications
• (Q) Qld Judiciary
• (C) SCQL Catalogue
• (D) Document Delivery
• (J) Qld Judgments
• (U) Qld Legal Updater
• (L) For Legal Profession
• (S) For Schools
• (R) For Researchers
• (G) For General Public

What are cookies and how do I disable them?

A cookie is a small data file that certain websites transfer to your computer to allow it to remember information about your session while you are connected. There are two types of cookies, session and persistent. Session cookies last only as long as your web browser is open. Once you close your browser, the cookie disappears. Persistent cookies store information on your computer for longer periods of time and may be used by your browser on subsequent visits to the site.

The Supreme Court of Queensland Library website uses session cookies for technical purposes such as to enable better navigation through the site, or to allow you to customise your preferences for interacting with the site. At no time are persistent cookies used to store your private information or to track your activity at this site.

If you do not wish to receive cookies, you can set your browser to warn you before accepting cookies or automatically refuse all cookies. If you refuse cookies from this site you may lose access to some convenient features, such as the ability to conduct multiple consecutive searches of the same type via the Quick Search without having to reselect the search type. However, you will still be able to navigate the site and access all available information. The same applies to the SCQL catalogue, in order to get the most out of the My Account feature you have to enable cookies in your browser.

Instructions for common browsers are provided below; alternatively, consult the online help for your browser.

Instructions for Windows users with Internet Explorer 6.0 or 7.0

1. Select Internet Options from the Tools menu
2. Click the Privacy tab
3. Default setting is medium. Move the slider to determine which setting you prefer.
4. You can also click on Advanced for specialised cookie treatment.

Instructions for Windows users with Internet Explorer 5.0

1. Select Internet Options from the Tools menu
2. Click the Security tab
3. Click Internet, then Custom Level
4. Scroll down to Cookies and choose one of the two options

Information for Windows users with Firefox 2.0

1. Select Options from the Tools menu
2. Select the Privacy icon
3. By default cookies are enabled. To disable the use of cookies uncheck the Accept cookies from sites box.
4. To specify how long cookies will be stored by Firefox select an option from the Keep until dropdown menu:
   • they expire: This is the default option. When set, this allows websites to specify how long a cookie will be stored by Firefox. This makes it possible for the site to remember your preferences across browser sessions.
   • I close Firefox: With this option selected, Firefox will remove all stored cookies when closed.
   • ask me every time: With this option enabled, Firefox will ask you how long you would like to keep a cookie (or refuse it entirely) every time a website attempts to set one.

Information for Windows users with Firefox 1.0

1. Select Options from the Tools menu
2. Select the Privacy icon
3. Click the Cookies tab

Information for Macintosh users with Internet Explorer 5 (MacOS X)

1. Select Preferences from the Explorer menu. In Mac OS 9.x and earlier, select Preferences from the Edit menu.
2. Click Cookies under Receiving Files
3. To change your cookie settings, select an option beside When receiving cookies. You can select each option and read the description text that appears directly below it to help you decide which option you prefer.

Information for Macintosh users with Firefox

1. Select Preferences from the Edit menu
2. Under the Privacy & Security category, select Cookies
3. Click one of following options:
   • Disable cookies: Select this option to reject all cookies.
   • Enable cookies for the originating website only: Select this option if you don’t want to accept or return foreign cookies. Cookies received through email (when the message contains a web page) are treated as foreign cookies.
   • Enable all cookies: Select this option to permit all websites to set cookies on your computer and receive them back during subsequent visits. Note: If you select this option, and later choose to reject all cookies, you may still have some older cookies stored on your computer (though no new ones will be set).
   • If you want to be notified when a website tries to set a cookie, select Warn me before storing a cookie

Information for Macintosh users with Safari

1. Select Preferences from the Edit menu
2. Select the Security icon
3. To specify how long cookies will be stored by Safari select an option beside Accept cookies:
   • Never: Select this option if you don't want to store any cookies on your computer.
   • Always: Select this option to accept and remember all cookies.
   • Only from sites you navigate to: Select this option to prevent storing cookies that come from websites other than those you open. Select this option to prevent advertisers on websites you visit from storing cookies on your computer.

What are RSS and Atom Feeds?

Frequently updated parts of the website are also published as RSS and Atom feeds. You can use free feed reading software, such as Mozilla Thunderbird, or a Web-based feed reader, such as Google Reader, to keep up to date without having to check the website for updates. Recent browsers also support adding feeds as "live bookmarks".

To subscribe to a feed, right-click on the appropriate feed link or feed icon , copy the URL, and paste it into your feed reader.

For further information see: What Is RSS?, RSS software.

Library

Where is the Library?

The Supreme Court Library is located on the fourth floor of the Law Courts Building, at the corner of George and Adelaide Streets, Brisbane. See Visiting the Supreme Court Library for other regional library locations.

What time is the Library open?

The Brisbane Library is open from 8.30am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday. See Visiting the Supreme Court Library for further information.

Is the Library open to the public?

The Library has been established to serve the judiciary and the legal profession; however members of the public are welcome to visit the Brisbane Library during normal opening hours. It is a requirement that all visitors register their name in the Visitors’ Book upon arrival. Access restrictions apply to Regional Libraries. Material can not be borrowed from any Library.

Are students allowed to use the Library?

Law students are entitled to use the Library during normal opening hours. School students are also permitted to use the Brisbane Library to access resources for a Legal Studies course. All group bookings must be made in advance using our Schools Program booking service. Library rules must be adhered to at all times.

Can I photocopy materials in the library?

Photocopy facilities are available within the Brisbane Library. Anyone wishing to use the photocopiers must purchase a copy card. A card dispensing and credit machine is located within the photocopy room. Staff are not able to provide change. See our schedule of fees for current pricing.

Photocopying facilities are also available in Cairns, Maroochydore, Mt Isa, Rockhampton and Townsville libraries. See Visiting the Supreme Court Library for further details.

Am I able to get a copy of a case or journal article faxed to me?

Yes. The Library provides a document delivery service for members of the legal profession, law firms and other libraries. Members of the public can also use the service however payment is required before the document is supplied. See our Document Delivery page for more information.

Can I borrow books from the library?

The Supreme Court of Queensland Library is a non-lending reference library with a research quality collection of legal materials. Practitioners are able to take material (on short-loan) if they have a matter before the Court, however books are not to be removed from the Court building.

Can I get after hours access to the Library?

Practitioners are entitled to apply for after-hours access to the Library. For permission to access the Brisbane Library, requests should be made in writing to the Librarian, and must include a copy of your current practising certificate. See Visiting the Supreme Court Library for contact details and further information about regional libraries.

How do I make a booking for a school visit?

School visits can be booked online via the Schools Program page or by telephoning the Library on 07 3247 4373.

How do I purchase books published by the Library?

For information and order forms for any of the Library’s publications, please visit our Publications page. Payment can be made by credit card (MasterCard or Visa), cheque, cash or money order.

How do I request an Inter-Library Loan?

Other libraries can request material via the Libraries Australia website. Alternatively, requests can be made in writing to the Librarian. Please note that SCQL is a reference library and not all material held in the collection is available for inter-library loan.

How do I become a member of the library?

Members of the Queensland legal profession need to register with the Supreme Court of Queensland Library to obtain access to the full range of SCQL services and collections. Registration is free and is renewable on an annual basis. To check your eligibility and apply for registration please contact the Library to obtain a copy of the Patron Registration Form. Once approved, the Library will issue you with a username and password which will facilitate remote access to a range of library subscription services. This username and password can also be used to login to My Account and modify your account details, save preferred catalogue searches and suggest purchases for the collection.

What computer facilities are available in the library?

The Library has computer facilities available for searching the catalogue and other research purposes. See Logging-in to Library computers for details.

Research

Can I request research assistance?

The Library provides a fee-based research service. Requests should be submitted in writing to the Reference desk staff. See our Schedule of Fees for current prices. Please note that members of the public will need to provide payment in advance.

The Library is not able to provide legal advice.

How do I locate a book found in the online catalogue?

Check that the book is held at a location near you. Signage within the Library will assist in locating the relevant call number and staff can also provide further advice about finding materials.

How do I find out if you hold a copy of a case?

Full-text judgments are published on this website (Court of Appeal since 1992, Supreme and District Courts since 2000). If the judgment has been reported, search our catalogue for the title of the report series to check if it is held at a Library location near you. If the judgment is unreported, contact the Reference desk staff (07 3247 4373) or visit the Brisbane Library.

How can I find out what this legal abbreviation stands for?

Legal abbreviation indexes can be found on the Internet. See Monash University Law Library’s Abbreviations of legal publications or the Cardiff Index to Legal Abbreviations.

Alternatively, the Library holds printed copies of legal citation indexes.

How can I see if this legislation has changed since it came into force?

If the Act is still in force, refer to the annotations to the Act on the Office of the Queensland Parliamentary Counsel website. Alternatively, changes to the legislation will also be listed in the current reprint of the Act.

If the Act is no longer current, then refer to the repealed legislation annotations on the Office of the Queensland Parliamentary Counsel website.