Administration of Justice (Protection) Act 2016 · 2020 Revised Edition · Part 3 · Jurisdiction and Punishment for Contempt
10. Power to punish for contempt
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The General Division of the High Court, the Appellate Division of the High Court and the Court of Appeal have jurisdiction to try and power to punish for contempt of court.
court
“court” means —(a)the Supreme Court;(b)any State Court;(c)any Family Court; or(d)any Youth Court;
The General Division of the High Court has and exercises the same jurisdiction, powers and authority in accordance with the same procedure and practice in respect of contempt committed in connection with proceedings in the Court of Appeal, contempt committed in connection with proceedings in the Appellate Division of the High Court and contempt of courts subordinate to it as it has and exercises in respect of contempt of itself.
The State Court, Family Court and Youth Court have jurisdiction to try and power to punish for contempt of court where the contempt is committed —
State Court
“State Court” means a State Court constituted under section 4 of the State Courts Act 1970.
in the face of that court other than a Small Claims Tribunal and an Employment Claims Tribunal; or
in connection with any proceedings in that court.
Despite subsection (3), the General Division of the High Court in any particular case —
may, either on its own motion or on the application of the alleged contemnor, order that the case be transferred to and be tried before the General Division of the High Court; or
must, on the application of the Attorney‑General, order that the case be transferred to and be tried before the General Division of the High Court.