Federal Courts Branch

The Federal Courts Branch provides legal and policy advice in relation to the federal civil justice system, including advice on:

the conferral of civil jurisdiction on courts
the role, structure and administration of federal courts
matters arising under legislation relating to federal courts, including court fees
issues relating to federal civil jurisdiction and cross-vesting arising in litigation
the Attorney-General’s role in relation to the courts
the use of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms such as mediation and arbitration
providing secretariat support to the National Alternative Dispute Resolution Advisory Council
judicial ethics and integrity and judicial independence
assistance by federal courts to foreign judiciaries
judicial and other statutory appointments to federal courts
terms and conditions applying to federal judges and magistrates, and
issues relating to the Australian Institute of Judicial Administration, the National Judicial College of Australia, and the Judicial Conference of Australia.

Legislation for which we are responsible

Organisational Structure