JURISDICTION: ACT

ACT Magistrates Court: Traffic Matters

In shortBoorman Lawyers are experienced, dedicated drink driving, drug driving and DUI lawyers who appear at the ACT Magistrates Court and represent clients facing alcohol, drug and serious traffic charges in Canberra. ACT drink and drug driving charges are heard in the ACT Magistrates Court at the ACT Law Courts, 4–6 Knowles Place, Canberra City, where the registry is open 9:00 am to 4:30 pm on weekdays. We assist clients at the ACT Magistrates Court by appearing at sentence hearings, preparing comprehensive sentencing submissions, character reference material and CADAS report preparation, advising on licence disqualification periods, immediate suspension stay applications and mandatory alcohol interlock rules under ACT law, and preparing section 17 non-conviction applications and restricted licence applications.

  • Where: ACT Law Courts, 4–6 Knowles Place, Canberra City; security screening on entry.
  • Lists: check the official court lists for your listing; bring your charge papers.
  • Appeal: file a notice of appeal in the Supreme Court registry within 28 days (Magistrates Court Act 1930 s 209).

Australian Capital Territory law · law checked 21 Oct 2026

Call 1300 941 900Make an enquiry about legal representation
General image of a sandstone State Courts building entrance – not ACT Magistrates Court – with the Boorman Lawyers logo and phone number 1300 941 900

General image – not this courthouse.

What's on this page

Where ACT traffic matters are heard

The ACT Magistrates Court sits in the ACT Law Courts building at 4–6 Knowles Place, Canberra City, which also houses the Supreme Court. The building generally opens at 8:30 am. The court enquiry counter and registry are open from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays and the Christmas shutdown. Everyone entering passes through security screening, so allow time.

Your listing date and time are on your charge papers. You can also search the ACT court lists, which show matters listed for the next 365 days. The court lists matters by case and courtroom on the day; it does not publish a fixed traffic list day, so rely on your papers and the list.

The court's general position is that matters are heard in person. You can ask in writing for leave to appear by audio-visual link (AVL), at least 48 hours before the listing and with supporting evidence such as a medical certificate, under Practice Direction 3 of 2024. Work, childcare or travel are generally not enough, and you must attend in person unless the court confirms in writing that you can appear remotely.

What happens at your first listing

At the first listing you, or your lawyer, tell the court whether you plead guilty or not guilty, or ask for an adjournment, for example to get advice or gather material. We appear at sentence hearings in the ACT Magistrates Court; adjournments may be handled by an agent colleague.

The sentence hearing

If you plead guilty, the magistrate hears the facts, your record and the material in your favour, then sentences you and applies the automatic disqualification. Useful material often includes character references, evidence of employment and licence need, a completed traffic offender or alcohol and drug program, and medical or counselling reports.

For a mandatory interlock offence, such as a level 4 reading, the combined alcohol and drug offence, an alcohol-related refusal or driving under the influence of alcohol, a report must be prepared for the court by the court alcohol and drug assessment service (CADAS) before sentence (Driver Licensing Regulation s 73U). The court may adjourn for the assessment and can order treatment or a program recommended in it.

Video: a level 4 sentence hearing at the ACT Magistrates Court

Published 6 July 2025. This is one past outcome under the ACT penalty and disqualification tables in force since 25 May 2024 (still current as at 21 October 2026). It is not a prediction of the result in any other matter, and the law may change.

Stay of an immediate suspension notice

If police gave you an immediate suspension notice, you can apply to this court for a stay within 28 days of being served, by filing a notice of the grounds and an affidavit (Road Transport (General) Act 1999 s 61F). The court can only stay the notice if exceptional circumstances justify it, taking into account the risk to other road users and your need for a licence. It does not decide guilt at that hearing (s 61G).

Restricted licence applications

Restricted licence applications are also made to the Magistrates Court, using an originating application and a sworn affidavit, served on the road transport authority and the Australian Federal Police (Driver Licensing Regulation ss 45–47). See restricted licences in the ACT.

Appealing a Magistrates Court decision

You can appeal to the ACT Supreme Court against a conviction or a sentence, and against an automatic disqualification that is longer than the minimum (Magistrates Court Act 1930 s 208(1)(b), (d), (g)). You file a notice of appeal in the Supreme Court registry within 28 days after the sentence, order or decision, or within any further time the Supreme Court allows. You then file a copy with the Magistrates Court and serve it on the Director of Public Prosecutions (s 209). Get advice quickly if you are thinking about appealing.

How Boorman Lawyers can assist

We represent clients at courts throughout Queensland, New South Wales and the ACT. We can prepare your sentence material, explain the CADAS process, and appear for you. ACT enquiries: call 1300 941 900 or make an enquiry about legal representation and mention that your matter is in the ACT. See also drink driving in the ACT and drug driving in the ACT.

What clients say

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FAQs: ACT Magistrates Court

Where do I go on the day?

The ACT Law Courts at 4–6 Knowles Place, Canberra City. Check the court lists or the screens in the building for your courtroom.

What is a CADAS report?

An assessment by the court alcohol and drug assessment service, which the court must receive before sentencing a person for a mandatory interlock offence (Driver Licensing Regulation s 73U).

Can my matter be finalised at the first listing?

Sometimes, if you plead guilty and no report is needed. For mandatory interlock offences, the CADAS report usually means at least one adjournment. In our experience, adjournments for a CADAS assessment are commonly around 6 to 8 weeks, but timing varies.

How long do I have to appeal?

28 days after the sentence, order or decision, unless the Supreme Court allows more time (Magistrates Court Act 1930 s 209).

Sources and date checked

The law on this page was checked against these primary and official sources on 21 Oct 2026. Penalty unit dollar amounts are as at 21 Oct 2026.

This page is general information about Australian Capital Territory law only. It is not legal advice. Every matter turns on its own facts.

ACT Magistrates Court (ACT Law Courts) — court details

ACT Magistrates Court (ACT Law Courts)

Street
4–6 Knowles Place, Canberra City ACT 2601
Postal
GPO Box 370, Canberra City ACT 2601
Phone
(02) 6205 0000 (general enquiries); (02) 6205 4902 (criminal matters)
Email
MCCriminal@courts.act.gov.au (criminal matters)
Registry hours
Registry and enquiry counter 9:00 am – 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday
Days open
Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays and the Christmas shutdown
Facilities
Security screening on entry
➜ Get directions

Checked 21 Oct 2026 on ACT Courts contact details and the Magistrates Court opening hours page. These are the court registry's details, not Boorman Lawyers office details. Check your court papers for your listing time and courtroom.

ACT Traffic Law

Choose your ACT traffic law topicACT

Guides for Australian Capital Territory traffic law matters.

ACTACT Traffic Law (hub)Read guide →ACTDrink Driving in the ACTRead guide →ACTDrug Driving in the ACTRead guide →ACTACT Magistrates CourtRead guide →ACTRestricted LicencesRead guide →ACTOther ACT Traffic OffencesRead guide →
Enquire about legal representation

Enquire about legal representation

Call 1300 941 900 or make an enquiry about legal representation.

What to have ready

  • Court & next listing date: Which court is on your paperwork and when your matter is listed.
  • Charge or reading (if known): Tell us the charge or reading if you have it — you do not need your full police facts yet.
  • Work & driving needs: Let us know if you rely on your licence for work or family responsibilities.
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Mon–Fri 8:30am – 6:00pmWe represent clients at courts throughout QLD, NSW & the ACT
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