Queen Elizabeth II Courts of Law, Brisbane

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Queen Elizabeth II Courts of Law, Brisbane
Queen Elizabeth II Courts of Law, Brisbane, 2024.jpg
Building facade overlooking the new public square
Queen Elizabeth II Courts of Law, Brisbane
Alternative namesBrisbane Supreme and District Court
General information
Location Brisbane, Queensland
Address415 George Street
Country Australia
Coordinates 27°28′4″S153°1′14″E / 27.46778°S 153.02056°E / -27.46778; 153.02056
Current tenants
Construction started6 October 2008
Opened27 August 2012
Inaugurated3 August 2012
CostA$570 million
Technical details
Floor count19
Floor area60,000 m2 (650,000 sq ft)
Design and construction
Architecture firm Architectus Brisbane and Guymer Bailey Architects
Main contractor Lend Lease

The Queen Elizabeth II Courts of Law, also referred to as the Brisbane Supreme and District Court, is a court building located at 415 George Street in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Contents

Location and features

Completed in 2012 as a purpose-built building for the Supreme Court of Queensland and the District Court of Queensland, the building together with the adjacent Brisbane Magistrates Court building created a legal precinct in Brisbane, which occupies an entire city block between George Street, Roma Street and Turbot Street. Both buildings are located adjacent to the Roma Street railway station and King George Square busway station.

The complex, shared between both courts, features enhanced facilities for victims of crime, witnesses, judges, lawyers and members of the public. It is one of the largest court buildings in Australia and includes 39 courtrooms, 1 large ceremonial court, Queensland Court of Appeal, 23 criminal courts and 14 civil courts, the Supreme Court Library, accommodation for 68 judges and a cell block in basement. The foyer of the Supreme Court also hosts the Sir Harry Gibbs Legal Heritage Centre, a museum dedicated to Queensland’s legal history. [1]

The complex was named in the honour of Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, to mark her Diamond Jubilee. It was officially opened by the Premier of Queensland Campbell Newman on 3 August 2012 in presence of the Governor of Queensland Penelope Wensley, Chief Justice of Queensland Paul de Jersey, Chief Judge Patsy Wolfe, Attorney-General of Queensland Jarrod Bleijie, Master of the Rolls The Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury, judge Lady Justice Hallett, Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal of Hong Kong Geoffrey Ma and Chief Justice of New Zealand Dame Sian Elias. [2]

The court operations commenced on 27 August 2012.

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References

  1. "About SCQL". Supreme Court of Queensland Library. Archived from the original on 14 October 2012. Retrieved 9 October 2012.
  2. Keim, Tony (3 August 2012). "Brisbane's new Supreme and District Court complex, Queen Elizabeth II Courts of Law, officially open today". Herald Sun . Melbourne. Retrieved 6 August 2012.

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