Tasmania Magistrates Court Registries — Locations, Hours, and Filing

Filing a minor civil claim in Tasmania starts with a court registry. The Magistrates Court operates four registries across the state. Rule 30 of the Magistrates Court (Civil Division) Rules 1998 governs where a proceeding is conducted: if no defence is filed, it remains in the registry where it began; if the claim is defended, the Court lists the first directions hearing at the Court closest to where the defendant resides or the cause of action arose.

The Four Registries

If you're in Hobart suing a contractor based in Launceston, the Rules do not require you to file at the registry nearest the defendant's business. If the claim is defended, Rule 30 sets the first directions hearing at the Court closest to where the defendant resides or the cause of action arose. If the parties disagree about registry, the Registrar decides; the Court may also transfer a proceeding to another registry.

Filing Office vs Hearing Location

An important distinction: where you file isn't necessarily where your hearing takes place. If no defence is filed, the action stays in the registry where it began through final judgment. If defended, Rule 30 sets the first directions hearing at the Court closest to where the defendant resides or the cause of action arose. The Court may order a proceeding transferred to another registry.

What Registry Staff Can Help With

Court registry staff are there to assist with administrative and procedural questions:

• Which forms you need (Form 1 for a claim, Form 3 for proof of service, Form 21 for default judgment)
• Current filing fees ($147 for claims up to $5,000, $284.20 for claims between $5,001 and $15,000)
• Whether your documents are complete enough to be accepted
• How to calculate the fee if you're unsure about the claim band

Registry staff cannot give legal advice. They cannot tell you whether your claim will succeed, help you draft your particulars of claim, advise on evidence strategy, or assess the strength of your case. If you need legal advice, contact Legal Aid Tasmania or a community legal centre before filing.

How to File

You have three ways to lodge your Form 1 and filing fee:

In person — visit the registry counter during business hours with your completed Form 1, the filing fee, and three copies of the form (one original plus three copies — the registry keeps the original, seals the copies, and returns them to you for service on the defendant).

By post — mail the original form plus three copies with payment (cheque or money order) to the relevant registry. The claim is filed when the registry receives and processes it, not when you post it — this matters if you're close to a limitation deadline.

Electronically — subject to specific registry directions and portal availability as authorised by the Chief Magistrate. Contact the registry to confirm current electronic filing arrangements.

When the registry accepts your claim, staff affix the court seal and generate a unique matter reference number. You'll use this number on all subsequent filings and correspondence.

Choosing the Right Registry

If you're unsure where to lodge your claim, call the registry for procedural information. If the parties later disagree about the registry where the proceeding should be conducted, the Registrar decides under Rule 30.

Next Steps

Once you've filed, you need to serve the defendant within one year. The Tasmania Minor Civil Claim Filing System covers the complete process from Form 1 through service, the 21-day defence window, and hearing preparation — including which documents to bring and how to organise your evidence.

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