Tasmania Magistrates Court Directions Hearing: What to Expect
What a Directions Hearing Is
A directions hearing is a short procedural appearance before a Magistrate to set the ground rules for how a case will move toward trial. It is not the trial itself — no evidence is heard, no witnesses are called, and no final decision is made. The Magistrate uses the hearing to make orders about deadlines, evidence exchange, and scheduling.
When Directions Hearings Happen
In the Magistrates Court of Tasmania (Civil Division), directions hearings are more common in general civil claims (A$15,001 to A$50,000) than in minor civil claims (up to A$15,000). Minor civil claims typically go straight from a filed defence to a mandatory conciliation conference, and if conciliation fails, to a hearing.
You may encounter a directions hearing in a minor civil claim if:
- The case involves complex evidence or multiple parties
- One side has applied for interlocutory orders (extensions, set-aside applications, evidence rulings)
- A counterclaim exceeds A$15,000, moving the proceeding into general civil procedures; claims above A$50,000 require written consent of all parties for the Magistrates Court to hear them
- The Magistrate at conciliation ordered further steps before listing the matter for trial
What the Magistrate Decides
Typical orders at a directions hearing include:
- Evidence exchange deadlines. Each party must serve their documentary evidence and any witness statements on the other party by a specified date, usually 7 to 14 days before the trial.
- Witness requirements. Whether witnesses need to attend in person or whether their statements can be tendered in writing (verified by statutory declaration).
- Trial date and estimated length. The Magistrate sets a hearing date and asks both parties to estimate how long their cases will take to present.
- Further interlocutory applications. If either side intends to apply for specific orders (discovery, inspection of property, expert evidence), the Magistrate sets a timetable for those applications.
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How to Prepare
Bring:
- Your filed defence or counterclaim documents
- A list of witnesses you intend to call
- An estimate of how long your case will take (number of witnesses, volume of documents)
- Your diary — the Magistrate will try to set a hearing date that works for both sides
You do not need to bring your evidence to a directions hearing, but you should know what evidence you have and how you plan to present it. The Magistrate may ask questions about readiness.
If You Are Notified of a Directions Hearing
If you are notified of a directions hearing and cannot attend, contact the registry promptly and ask what arrangements are available.
Directions Hearing vs Conciliation vs Trial
| Directions Hearing | Conciliation Conference | Trial | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Set procedural timetable | Negotiate settlement | Decide the case |
| Who presides | Magistrate | Court conciliator | Magistrate |
| Evidence heard | No | No (confidential) | Yes |
| Outcome | Procedural orders | Settlement or referral to hearing | Binding judgment |
Our Responding to a Minor Civil Claim in Tasmania guide covers every stage of the court process from filing your defence through conciliation and the hearing, with preparation checklists for each step.
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