HIGH COURT (2026 SITTINGS) RULES 2025
17 JUNE 2024
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Each year, the Justices of the High Court of Australia make a Rule of Court appointing the Full Court sittings for the following year. These Rules of Court are made by the Justices under the rule‑making power given by s 86 of the Judiciary Act 1903.
This Rule of Court appoints the sittings of the Full Court of the High Court for 2026. Sittings of the Full Court will be held in Canberra and may also be held in Adelaide, Brisbane, Darwin, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth or Sydney. Additional sittings of the Full Court may be appointed as required, for example in matters requiring expedition. The Chief Justice appoints additional sittings pursuant to Rule 6.04.2 of the High Court Rules 2004.
Consultation
As in previous years, no consultation was necessary in relation to the appointment of the High Court sitting dates for 2026. The Rule does not substantially alter long-standing arrangements.
Statement of compatibility
Section 8 of the Legislation Act 2003 provides that Rules of Court made for the High Court of Australia are not legislative instruments for the purposes of that Act. The Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011 therefore does not apply to any such Rules of Court and no statement of compatibility for the purposes of that latter Act is included in the Explanatory Statement.