Federal Court of Australia

The Federal Court of Australia is an Australian superior court with jurisdiction over most civil disputes governed by federal law, excluding family law, along with some summary and indictable criminal matters. Most cases at first instance are heard by a single judge, and a Full Court of three judges (occasionally five, occasionally a single judge) hears matters of importance and exercises the court's appellate jurisdiction; the only further appeal lies to the High Court of Australia. In the Australian court hierarchy the Federal Court occupies a position equivalent to the supreme courts of the states and territories, and it is superior to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia for every jurisdiction except family law. It was established in 1976 by the Federal Court of Australia Act. Several judges of this court, including James Edelman, Jacqueline Gleeson and Jayne Jagot, later became justices of the High Court of Australia.