Are serious criminal cases from Townsville heard locally?

Yes. The District Court and Supreme Court of Queensland both sit at the Townsville courthouse, 31 Walker Street, so serious indictable matters from the region are usually heard there.

Where is the family court in Townsville?

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia registry is at Level 2 (Blue Foyer), 143 Walker Street, entered from the Stanley Street end of the building.

Where is Legal Aid in Townsville?

Legal Aid Queensland is on Level 4 of the Northern Securities Building, 22 Walker Street, phone (07) 4758 5300.

How long do I have to start an injury claim in Queensland?

Court proceedings must generally start within 3 years of the cause of action arising, after the pre-court steps under the Personal Injuries Proceedings Act 2002 (Qld) or the Motor Accident Insurance Act 1994 (Qld).

Best Law Firms in Townsville, QLD (2026): By Practice Area

Law firms in Townsville act in matters heard at the Townsville courthouse, 31 Walker Street, which houses the Magistrates Court, District Court and Supreme Court of Queensland, and at the Federal Circuit and Family Court registry at 143 Walker Street. Compare firms below by practice area; both courts and the Legal Aid office are on the same street.

Townsville serves as the court centre for North Queensland. Criminal trials, larger injury claims, probate and family law cases can all be heard in the city. The grid ranks firms for each area, including Criminal Lawyers in Townsville, Family Lawyers in Townsville and Personal Injury Lawyers in Townsville.

Law firms in Townsville by practice area

Family Lawyers

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1MobbsMarr Legal★★★★★ 5.0 (159)
2Sarinas Legal★★★★★ 5.0 (128)
3Connolly Suthers Lawyers Townsville★★★★★ 4.9 (392)

Conveyancers

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1Connolly Suthers Lawyers Townsville★★★★★ 4.9 (392)
2O'Shea & Dyer Solicitors Townsville★★★★★ 4.9 (130)
3Keylaw Townsville - Conveyancing★★★★★ 4.8 (767)

Criminal Lawyers

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1MobbsMarr Legal★★★★★ 5.0 (159)
2Connolly Suthers Lawyers Townsville★★★★★ 4.9 (392)
3O'Shea & Dyer Solicitors Townsville★★★★★ 4.9 (130)

Personal Injury Lawyers

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1MobbsMarr Legal★★★★★ 5.0 (159)
2Sarinas Legal★★★★★ 5.0 (128)
3Connolly Suthers Lawyers Townsville★★★★★ 4.9 (392)

Which courts and tribunals are in Townsville?

Townsville has all three levels of the Queensland courts and a federal family law registry.

Court	What it hears	Where in Townsville
Magistrates Court of Queensland	Simple offences, summary indictable matters, committals, civil claims up to $150,000, domestic violence protection orders	Townsville courthouse, 31 Walker Street
District Court of Queensland	Indictable matters committed for trial or sentence, larger civil claims	31 Walker Street
Supreme Court of Queensland	The most serious charges, the largest claims, probate	31 Walker Street
Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia	Divorce, parenting and property cases for North Queensland	Level 2 (Blue Foyer), 143 Walker Street

The Supreme Court of Queensland keeps a registry in Townsville as well as in Brisbane, Cairns and Rockhampton. Injury claims only reach the courthouse after the compulsory pre-court steps, and most settle during that stage without a hearing.

Which Townsville court will hear my matter?

Criminal charge: Townsville Magistrates Court first; a lawyer can apply for bail and request the police brief at the first mention.
Injury claim: Magistrates Court up to $150,000; the District and Supreme Courts hear larger claims.
Separation: the family law registry at 143 Walker Street, or online through the Commonwealth Courts Portal.
Domestic violence protection order: a separate state process in the Magistrates Court.
Buying or selling a home: handled without a court; see Conveyancers in Townsville.

Where can you get free legal help in Townsville?

Free help in Townsville comes mainly from Legal Aid Queensland.

Legal Aid Queensland has an office on Level 4 of the Northern Securities Building, 22 Walker Street, phone (07) 4758 5300, open weekdays from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm. It gives criminal and family law advice and grants of aid to eligible people.
The Legal Information Line, 1300 65 11 88, answers calls from anywhere in Queensland on weekdays.
The Motor Accident Insurance Commission publishes free information and the notice of accident claim form for Queensland CTP claims.

Our guide to Free Legal Advice in Australia lists other statewide services.