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22 October 2026

LOCAL COURT OF THE NORTHERN TERRITORY NOTICE TO PRACTITIONERS
Local Court Christmas Operation Period – Information for stakeholders Notice 4 of 2026
The Christmas operational period for the Darwin, Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs Local Court and Darwin Children’s Court will be from Monday, 21 December 2026 – C.O.B. Friday 8 January 2027.

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

Darwin Nichols Place - 21 December 2026 to 8 January 2027

  • 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 be suspended.

Darwin Children’s Court – TCG - 21 December 2026 to 8 January 2027

  • A Judge will be presiding for new in custody matters and urgent applications pursuant to the Care and Protection Act.
  • Matter should not be adjourned into or bailed to this period.
  • The Court house will be open during normal business hours for front counter services.

Katherine Local Court - 21 December 2026 to 8 January 2027

  • 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.
  • The Court house will be open during normal business hours for front counter services.

 Alice Springs Local Court and Children’s Court - 21 December 2026 to 8 January 2027

  • 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, Mental Health, Hearings, and Domestic Violence will be suspended.

Tennant Creek Local Court - 21 December 2026 to 8 January 2027

  • 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 closed between 29/12/2026 and 31/12/2026 but open during normal business hours for front counter services on other dates. Any enquiries can be made to the Alice Springs Local Court.

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