The Supreme Court is the State's highest court, with responsibility for both criminal and civil matters. It is also the State's main appeal court.
The Supreme Court is divided into two divisions:
- The General Division deals with very serious criminal charges such as murder, armed robbery, arson and serious breaches of Commonwealth drug enforcement laws. This division also hears appeals from decisions of magistrates sitting in criminal matters in the Magistrates Court, and deals with probate (including disputes over wills), Admiralty (disputes involving ships), disputed elections and applications under the Corporations Act.
- The Court of Appeal hears appeals from single judge decisions of the Supreme Court and from lower courts and various tribunals.
The Supreme Court is composed of the Chief Justice of Western Australia, 19 Judges, one Master, the Principal Registrar and eight Registrars.
