Local Court Christmas Period

Christmas period for the Darwin, Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs Local Court and Darwin Children’s Court will be from C.O.B. Friday, 19 December 2025 to C.O.B Friday, 9 January 2026.

Below are the following arrangements for the Northern Territory Local Court lists:

Darwin Local Court (Nichols Place)
19 December 2025 to 9 January 2026

• There will be two Judges presiding for new in custody and urgent listings, with a custody cut-off time of 10am each day.
• Matters should not be adjourned into or bailed to this period.
• Specialist lists for Directions Hearings, Preliminary Examinations, Hearings, Domestic Violence, Civil/Work Health, and Mental Health will all be suspended.

Darwin Children’s Court (TCG)
19 December 2025 to 9 January 2026

• No matters are to be adjourned to these days and any new in custody youth or urgent applications pursuant to the Care and Protection Act will be listed as the need arises.

Katherine Local Court
19 December 2025 to 2 January 2026

• There will be a Judge presiding for new in custody and urgent listings, with a custody cut-off time of 10am each day.
• Matters should not be adjourned into or bailed to this period.

Alice Springs Local Court and Children’s Court
19 December 2025 to 9 January 2026

• There will be two Judges presiding for new in custody and urgent listings, with a custody cut-off time of 10am each day.
• Matters should not be adjourned into or bailed to this period.
• Specialist lists for the Directions Hearings, Preliminary Examinations, Hearings, and Domestic Violence will all be suspended.

Tennant Creek Local Court 
19 December 2025 to 9 January 2026

• New defendants in custody will be transported to Alice Springs for first mentions.
• Other matters should not be adjourned or bailed to this period.
• The Court house will be open during normal business hours for front counter services.