High Court of Australia Act 1979 (Cth)

High Court of Australia Act 1979

No. 137, 1979

Compilation No. 16

Compilation date: 11 December 2024

Includes amendments: Act No. 115, 2024

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the High Court of Australia Act 1979 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 11 December 2024 (the compilation date).

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the Register for the compiled law.

Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments

If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.

Editorial changes

For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.

Modifications

If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the Register for the compiled law.

Self‑repealing provisions

If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

Contents Part I—Preliminary 1 Short title 2 Commencement 3 Repeal 4 Interpretation 4A Application of the Criminal Code Part II—Constitution and seat of the High Court Division 1—Justices of the High Court 5 The High Court 6 Consultation with State Attorneys‑General on appointment of Justices 7 Qualification of Justices 8 Seniority 9 Acting Chief Justice 10 Justices not to hold other office 11 Oath or affirmation of allegiance and of office 12 Salary and allowances 13 Appropriation Division 2—Seat of the High Court 14 Seat 15 Places of sittings 16 Judgment may be pronounced at any sitting Part III—Administration of the High Court 17 Administration of the Court 18 Chief Executive and Principal Registrar of the Court 19 Functions and powers of the Chief Executive and Principal Registrar 20 Terms and conditions of appointment 21 Remuneration and allowances 22 Leave of absence 23 Resignation 24 Termination of appointment 25 Acting Chief Executive and Principal Registrar 26 Officers and employees 27 Marshal and Deputy Marshals 28 Certain officers may administer oaths and affirmations Part IV—Registry and procedure 30 Registry 31 Transfer of proceedings 32 Seals 33 Writs etc. 34 Date of process Part V—Finance 35 Moneys appropriated for the Court 36 Estimates 37 Application of moneys appropriated for the Court 38 Trust moneys 39 Other moneys 40 Limitation on contracts 41 Accounts with ADIs 42 Proper accounts to be kept 43 Audit 44 Exemption from taxation Part VI—Miscellaneous 45 Proceedings in respect of administration of the Court 46 Exercise of powers of the Court in administrative matters 47 Annual reports and financial statements 48 Rules of Court 49 Regulations Schedule Endnotes Endnote 1—About the endnotes Endnote 2—Abbreviation key Endnote 3—Legislation history Endnote 4—Amendment history Endnote 5—Editorial changes