Most cities and large towns have a District Court — they exist in courthouses and hearing centres around New Zealand.

Jurisdiction of District Courts

The District Court is divided into 4 main specialties:

Civil

The District Court can hear claims up to a value of $350,000. Examples of common civil claims include:

• disputes over business contracts or debts
• restraining or non-contact orders.

Civil court — District courts of New Zealand

Criminal

The District Courts have a broad criminal jurisdiction. Examples of common criminal claims include:

• serious offences such as rape and aggravated robbery
• minor offences such as disorderly behaviour.

Criminal court — District courts of New Zealand

Youth

Young people aged between 14 and 18 who are charged with an offence will be directed to a Youth Court rather than the District Court or High Court.

Youth Court

Family

The Family Court hears cases on a broad range of topics. Examples of common Family Court claims include:

• Child care and support, paternity, adoption, surrogacy, marriage consent, donor issues.
• Family violence, mental health, addiction, separation, divorce, property, wills, sex changes.

Family court — District courts of New Zealand

Find a District Court

Under ‘Court, tribunal or other’:

1. choose ‘District Court’
2. select a location
3. click ‘Search’.

Find us: District Courts — Ministry of Justice (MOJ)

File documents to a District Court

Where to file your documents

You must file your documents to the correct court. This may be the court nearest to you, but sometimes it can be a court in another suburb or town, depending on the type of case.

Where to file documents — MOJ

How to file your documents

You can usually file your documents in person, by post or electronically.

• By person or by post: Find us — MOJ
• Online: File and pay — Courts of New Zealand

Requirements for filing

There a various requirements you need to follow when filing your documents to a District Court. Learn more on the Ministry of Justice website.

Requirements for filing documents — MOJ

Payment and costs

The fees you pay depend on the court you are going through. You may be able to get help to pay some court fees depending on your situation. Visit the Ministry of Justice website for more information.

• Court fees for civil & family court cases
• Apply for help to pay the court fees for a civil or family case