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Federal Court of Australia Act 1976
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Attorney-General's Department
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C2024C00819 (C59)
11 December 2024
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Part I—Preliminary
1 Short title
2 Commencement
3 Extension to Territories
4 Interpretation
4A Application of the Criminal Code
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Part II—Federal Court of Australia
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Division 1—Constitution of the Court
5 Creation of Court
6 Appointment, removal and resignation of Judges
6A Assignment of Judges to Divisions
7 Acting Chief Justice
8 Seniority
9 Salary and allowances of Judges
10 Appropriation
11 Oath or affirmation of office
12 Place of sitting
13 General and Fair Work Divisions of the Court
13A Authorised Judges may manage classes of proceedings
14 Manner in which Court may be constituted
15 Arrangement of business of Court
16 Court divided in opinion
17 Exercise of jurisdiction in open court and in Chambers
18 Powers of Court to extend to whole of Australia
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Part IIA—Management of the Court
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Division 1—Management responsibilities of Chief Justice and Chief Executive Officer
18A Management of administrative affairs of Court
18B Chief Executive Officer
18BAA Arrangements with other courts
18BA Arrangements with agencies or organisations
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Division 2—Appointment, powers etc. of Chief Executive Officer
18C Establishment and appointment of Chief Executive Officer
18D Powers of Chief Executive Officer
18E Remuneration of Chief Executive Officer
18F Terms and conditions of appointment of Chief Executive Officer
18G Leave of absence
18H Resignation
18J Outside employment of Chief Executive Officer
18K Termination of appointment
18L Disclosure of interests by Chief Executive Officer
18M Acting Chief Executive Officer
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Division 3—Other officers and staff of Registries
18N Personnel other than the Chief Executive Officer
18P Sheriff
18PA Marshal
18PB Deputy Marshals
18PC Authorised persons to assist the Marshal or Deputy Marshals
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Division 4—Miscellaneous administrative matters
18S Annual report
18W Delegation of administrative powers of Chief Justice
18X Proceedings arising out of the administrative affairs of Court
18XA Protection of persons involved in handling etc. complaints
18Y Oath or affirmation of office
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Part IIB—Corporate services and other matters
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Division 1—Corporate services
18Z Corporate services
18ZA Proceedings in relation to corporate services
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Division 2—Application of the finance law
18ZB Application of the finance law
18ZC Delegation of powers etc. under the finance law
18ZD Managing appropriations
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Division 3—Application of the Public Service Act 1999 etc.
18ZE Statutory Agency etc. for purposes of the Public Service Act 1999
18ZF Making arrangements relating to APS employees
18ZG Delegation of powers etc. under the Public Service Act 1999
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Division 4—Other powers of the Chief Executive Officer
18ZH Appointment of other court officers
18ZI Engagement of consultants, family counsellors and family dispute resolution practitioners
18ZJ Subdelegation of powers under this Division
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Division 5—Other matters
18ZK Officers of the Court and the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
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Part III—Jurisdiction of the Court
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Division 1—Original jurisdiction (general)
19 Original jurisdiction
20 Exercise of original jurisdiction
20A Power of the Court to deal with civil matters without an oral hearing
21 Declarations of right
22 Determination of matter completely and finally
23 Making of orders and issue of writs
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Division 1A—Original jurisdiction (indictable offences)
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Subdivision A—Introduction
23AA Background and simplified outline
23AB Application of Division
Subdivision B—Matters relating to indictments
23BA Indictment may include alternate counts
23BB Single count can cover multiple accused
23BC Separating one or more accused from a single count
23BD Single indictment can include multiple counts
23BE Separating one or more counts from a single indictment
23BF Time within which indictments must be filed following committal order
23BG Consequences of not filing indictment within time
23BH Amending indictments
Subdivision C—Pre trial matters (hearings, disclosure and quashing indictments)
23CA Pre trial hearings
23CB Court may make orders during pre trial hearings
23CC Matters that must be raised during pre trial hearings
23CD Pre trial and ongoing disclosure
23CE Disclosure of case for the prosecution
23CF Accused’s response
23CG Prosecutor’s response to accused’s response
23CH Ongoing disclosure obligations
23CI Copies of things need not be provided if impracticable etc.
23CJ Personal details need not be provided
23CK Things need not be disclosed to a party more than once
23CL Effect on legal professional privilege and other privileges and duties etc.
23CM Consequences of disclosure requirements
23CN Restricting further disclosure of disclosed material
23CO Restricting admissibility of disclosed material as evidence in other proceedings
23CP Objecting to indictments
23CQ Examining witnesses after committal in absence of the jury
Subdivision D—Election in relation to a jury panel
23DA Simplified outline of this Subdivision
23DB Application of Subdivision
23DC Direction to arrange for a jury panel
23DD Election in relation to a jury panel
23DE Validity of anything done by jury
Subdivision DA—Provision of a jury panel prepared under this Act
23DF Simplified outline of this Subdivision
23DG Application of Subdivision
23DH Sheriff to select the jury district for the proceedings
23DJ Sheriff to prepare the jury list for the proceedings
23DK Investigation and questionnaires
23DL Qualification to serve as a juror
23DM Disqualification from serving on jury (convictions, charges, detention orders etc.)
23DN Disqualification from serving on jury (professional ineligibility)
23DP Removing names from jury list
23DQ Jury summonses
23DR Preparing the jury panel
Subdivision DB—Provision of a jury panel prepared under State or Territory laws
23DS Simplified outline of this Subdivision
23DT Application of Subdivision
23DU Provision of jury panel by State/Territory jury official
23DV Qualification to serve as a juror
23DW Certain other laws of a State or Territory apply, and Part VIA does not apply, before provision of jury panel
23DX Disclosure of personal information by Sheriff or State/Territory jury official
23DY Payments to State or Territory
23DZ Arrangements with State or Territory
Subdivision DC—Liability to serve on jury and Sheriff’s excusal
23DZA Simplified outline of this Subdivision
23DZB Application of Subdivision
23DZC Liability to serve on jury
23DZD Sheriff’s power to excuse—on application
23DZE Sheriff’s power to excuse—on own initiative
Subdivision DD—Empanelling the jury
23DZF Simplified outline of this Subdivision
23DZG Application of Subdivision
23DZH Preparing to empanel the jury
23DZJ Empanelling the jury
23DZK Court’s power to excuse a person from serving on jury
23DZL Supplementary jurors
23DZM Challenges to potential jurors—general
23DZN Challenges for cause
23DZP Peremptory challenges
23DZQ Prosecutor may request that potential jurors be stood aside
Subdivision E—Other jury matters
23EAA Jury districts and rolls
23EAB Number of jurors on jury
23EAC Continuation of the trial with a reduced jury
23EAD Ballot to reduce additional jurors
23EA Appointing the jury foreperson
23EB Confidentiality directions
23EC Things to help jury understand issues
23ED Recalling the jury for further directions or evidence
23EE When jury can separate
23EF Directions and potential jurors and jurors
23EG Sheriff’s powers
23EH Jurors’ remuneration
23EI Discharge of potential jurors
23EJ Discharge of jurors—by law
23EK Discharge of jurors—by the Court
23EL Discharge of jury
23EM Consequences of discharging the jury
Subdivision F—Matters relating to pleas, the trial and verdicts
23FA Accused to be arraigned before the jury
23FB Practice and procedure applicable to the trial
23FC Admissibility of evidence given in committal proceedings
23FD Entering pleas
23FE Pleading to some counts in satisfaction of other counts
23FF Pleading to different offences capable of being supported by indictment
23FG Changing pleas
23FH Court’s verdict if no case to answer
23FI Jury’s verdict
23FJ Consequences of guilty pleas and guilty verdicts
23FK Consequences of not guilty verdicts
Subdivision G—Procedure on committal for sentencing
23GA When Subdivision applies
23GB Accused taken to have been committed for trial etc.
Subdivision H—Custodial and other matters
23HA Remanding in custody when proceedings adjourned
23HB Oaths and affirmations
23HC Protecting witnesses etc.
23HD Accused cannot make unsworn statements
23HE Costs
Division 1B—Original jurisdiction (related summary offences)
23K Practice and procedure applicable to proceedings for related summary offences
23L Evidence in proceedings for related summary offences
Division 2—Appellate and related jurisdiction (civil proceedings)
23P Appellate jurisdiction in civil proceedings
24 Appellate jurisdiction
25 Exercise of appellate jurisdiction
26 Cases stated and questions reserved
27 Evidence on appeal
28 Form of judgment on appeal
29 Stay of proceedings and suspension of orders
30 New trials
Division 2A—Appellate and related jurisdiction (criminal proceedings)
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Subdivision A—Bringing appeals
30AA Appellate jurisdiction—allowable appeals
30AB Leave needed unless question of law or about bail
30AC Who may appeal
30AD Appellate jurisdiction—further appeal if Attorney General consents
30AE Exercise of appellate jurisdiction
30AF Time for appealing
30AG Right to attend
30AH Practice and procedure applicable to the appeal
30AI Evidence on appeal
30AJ When to allow appeals
30AK Stay or suspension of orders pending appeal
30AL Prison sentence not to include time on bail
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Subdivision B—Form of judgment on appeal
30BA Court may give such judgment as is appropriate
30BB Allowing appeals against convictions on indictment
30BC Allowing appeals against sentence
30BD Allowing appeals for certain acquittals
30BE Allowing appeals involving unfitness, mental illness etc.
30BF Allowing appeals from summary proceedings
30BG Allowing appeals against bail, bail forfeiture or interim judgments and decisions (including about custody)
30BH Matters relevant to form of judgment on appeal
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Subdivision C—References
30CA Cases stated and questions reserved
30CB Questions referred after trial
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Subdivision D—Other
30DA Costs
Division 3—General
31 Contempt of Court
31A Summary judgment
31B Prerogative of mercy unaffected
32 Jurisdiction in associated matters
32AA Proceedings not to be instituted in the Court if an associated matter is before the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2)
32AB Discretionary transfer of civil proceedings to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
32AC Discretionary transfer of civil proceedings from the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2)
32AD Confirmation of civil proceedings transferred from the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2)
32AE Discretionary transfer of certain criminal proceedings
32A State Supreme Courts invested with jurisdiction in Chambers
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Part IV—Appeals to High Court
33 Appeals to High Court
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Part IVA—Representative proceedings
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Division 1—Preliminary
33A Interpretation
33B Application
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Division 2—Commencement of representative proceeding
33C Commencement of proceeding
33D Standing
33E Is consent required to be a group member?
33F Persons under disability
33G Representative proceeding not to be commenced in certain circumstances
33H Originating process
33J Right of group member to opt out
33K Causes of action accruing after commencement of representative proceeding
33L Situation where fewer than 7 group members
33M Cost of distributing money etc. excessive
33N Order that proceeding not continue as representative proceeding where costs excessive etc.
33P Consequences of order that proceeding not continue under this Part
33Q Determination of issues where not all issues are common
33R Individual issues
33S Directions relating to commencement of further proceedings
33T Adequacy of representation
33U Stay of execution in certain circumstances
33V Settlement and discontinuance—representative proceeding
33W Settlement of individual claim of representative party
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Division 3—Notices
33X Notice to be given of certain matters
33Y Notices—ancillary provisions
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Division 4—Judgment etc.
33Z Judgment—powers of the Court
33ZA Constitution etc. of fund
33ZB Effect of judgment
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Division 5—Appeals
33ZC Appeals to the Court
33ZD Appeals to the High Court—extended operation of sections 33ZC and 33ZF
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Division 6—Miscellaneous
33ZE Suspension of limitation periods
33ZF General power of Court to make orders
33ZG Saving of rights, powers etc.
33ZH Special provision relating to claims under Part VI of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 etc.
33ZJ Reimbursement of representative party’s costs
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Part V—Registries, officers and seal
34 Registries
35 Officers of Court
35A Powers of Registrars
36 Seal of Court
37 Writs etc.
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Part VAA—Suppression and non publication orders
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Division 1—Preliminary
37AA Definitions
37AB Powers of the Court not affected
37AC Other laws not affected
37AD No limit on section 23HC
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Division 2—Suppression and non publication orders
37AE Safeguarding public interest in open justice
37AF Power to make orders
37AG Grounds for making an order
37AH Procedure for making an order
37AI Interim orders
37AJ Duration of orders
37AK Exception for court officials
37AL Contravention of order
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Part VAAA—Vexatious proceedings
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Division 1—Preliminary
37AM Definitions
37AN Powers of the Court not affected
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Division 2—Vexatious proceedings orders
37AO Making vexatious proceedings orders
37AP Notification of vexatious proceedings orders
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Division 3—Particular consequences of vexatious proceedings orders
37AQ Proceedings in contravention of vexatious proceedings order
37AR Application for leave to institute proceedings
37AS Dismissing application for leave
37AT Granting application for leave
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Part VA—Assessors
37A Appointment of assessors
37B Qualifications for appointment
37C Remuneration and allowances
37D Terms and conditions of appointment
37E Oath or affirmation of office
37F Leave of absence
37G Resignation
37H Termination of appointment—bankruptcy etc.
37I Termination of appointment—misbehaviour or incapacity
37J Suspension of assessors—misbehaviour or incapacity
37K Outside employment
37L Disclosure of interests
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Part VB—Case management in civil proceedings
37M The overarching purpose of civil practice and procedure provisions
37N Parties to act consistently with the overarching purpose
37P Power of the Court to give directions about practice and procedure in a civil proceeding
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Part VI—General
38 Practice and procedure
39 Civil trials to be without jury
40 Power of Court in civil proceedings to direct trial of issues with a jury
41 Juries in civil proceedings
43 Costs
44 Oaths and affirmations
45 Making of affidavits
46 Orders and commissions for examination of witnesses
47 Oral, video link, telephone and affidavit evidence
47A Testimony by video link, audio link or other appropriate means
47B Appearances or submissions by video link, audio link or other appropriate means
47C Conditions for use of video links, audio links or other appropriate means
47D Putting documents to a person by video link, audio link or other appropriate means
47E Administration of oaths and affirmations
47F Expenses
47G New Zealand proceedings
48 Change of venue
49 Reserved judgments
51 Formal defects not to invalidate
51A Interest up to judgment
52 Interest on judgment
53 Enforcement of judgment
53A Arbitration, mediation and alternative dispute resolution processes
53AA Power of arbitrator to refer question of law to the Court
53AB Application to the Court for review of award on a question of law or for costs to be taxed
53B Admissions made to mediators
53C Protection of mediators and arbitrators
54 Arbitration awards
54A Referral of questions to a referee
54B Protection of referees
55 Actions by or against Sheriff
55AA Actions by or against Marshal
55A Making arrests under this Act or warrants
56 Security
57 Receivers
58 Offences by witness
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Part VIA—Offences relating to juries
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Division 1—Offences
58AA Failing to attend for jury service
58AB Failing to comply with directions—persons attending for jury service
58AC Failing to comply with directions—jurors
58AD Impersonating a juror or potential juror
58AE Failing to complete and return a questionnaire
58AF False or misleading information to avoid jury service
58AG Bribery of jurors or potential jurors
58AH Causing or threatening harm to jurors, potential jurors or former jurors
58AI Obstructing jurors or potential jurors
58AJ Publishing or broadcasting information identifying jurors, potential jurors or former jurors
58AK Soliciting information from jurors
58AL Disclosing information about a jury
58AM Making improper inquiries as a juror or potential juror
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Division 2—Infringement notices
58BA When an infringement notice can be given
58BB Matters to be included in an infringement notice
58BC Amount of penalty
58BD Withdrawal of an infringement notice
58BE What happens if the penalty is paid
58BF Effect of this Division on criminal proceedings
58BG Regulations
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Part VIB—Bail
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Division 1—Introduction
58CA Simplified outline
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Division 2—Granting bail
58DA Applying for bail
58DB Granting bail
58DC Bail may be granted subject to conditions
58DD Bail to be stayed pending appeal
58DE Bail undertakings etc.
58DF Effect of granting bail
58DG Seeking discharge from undertaking to give security
58DH Dealings with property given as security for bail
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Division 3—Reconsidering bail orders
58EA Reconsidering bail—discharge of security or accused fails to comply with the accused’s bail undertaking
58EB Reconsidering bail—change in circumstances
58EC Consequences if bail is varied or revoked
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Division 4—Further consequences if accused fails to appear in accordance with bail undertaking
58FA Offence for failing to appear before the Court
58FB Notice of proposed forfeiture
58FC Ordering forfeiture
58FD When forfeiture orders take effect
58FE Effect of forfeiture orders
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Division 5—When bail ends
58GA Continuing bail orders
58GB Bail discharged if the Court discharges the accused
58GC Continuing security undertakings when bail ends
58GD Returning security when bail ends
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Division 6—Other matters
58HA Admissibility of certain matters
58HB Indemnifying a person providing security
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Part VII—Rules of Court and regulations
59 Rules of Court
59A Regulations modifying or adapting the Legislation Act 2003
60 Regulations
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The Schedule
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Endnotes
Endnote 1—About the endnotes
Endnote 2—Abbreviation key
Endnote 3—Legislation history
Endnote 4—Amendment history
