Territory Courts and Federal Jurisdiction
(2005) 33 Federal Law Review 57
37 Pages Posted: 29 Mar 2012 Last revised: 21 Dec 2012
Date Written: March 28, 2012
Abstract
This article aims to offer a coherent approach to the application of Ch III of the Commonwealth Constitution to the Australian territories. It advocates, and explores the implications of, an approach which sees territory courts as among the “other courts” which may be vested with federal jurisdiction, contemplated by s 71 of the Constitution. The article considers the Australian judicial system and the importance of the High Court’s role in unifying the Australian States and territories, the appellate jurisdiction of the High Court under s 73 of the Constitution, the extent to which, and basis upon which, the courts of a territory exercise federal jurisdiction, and the consequences for the powers of territory courts and other courts in relation to the territories of an approach which regards all "territory jurisdiction" as "federal jurisdiction".
Keywords: Australian Constitutional Law, territories, federal jurisdiction, appeals, territory courts, Australian Constitution s 122, Ch III
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
