Queen Elizabeth II Courts of Law

NOTE: Pre-booked ticket holders only.

Join a guided tour of the Brisbane Supreme and District Courts of Queensland—the Queen Elizabeth II (QEII) Courts of Law. Tours include the entrance foyer, Supreme Court Library Queensland, Banco Court, and criminal or civil courtroom.

The QEII Courts of Law create a unique legal precinct, linking the building with a public square and the Brisbane Magistrates Court. With over 60,000 square metres of floor space over 16 floors, the $570 million building is one of the largest court buildings in Australia. It is the symbolic centre of the judicial branch of government in Queensland.

The building is located within walking distance to Roma Street station and King George Square busway station, and includes:

• 23 criminal courts, 14 civil courts, mediation rooms, and a large ceremonial court (Banco Court)
• judges chambers over four levels
• separate access for judges, jurors, prisoners, vulnerable witnesses and members of the public
• a basement cell block for people in custody
• secure facilities to enable child and vulnerable witnesses and victims to give evidence in a safe and private environment
• a jurors assembly area and lounge.

The building is a radical departure from traditional court design, providing an open, accessible and transparent layout in sharp contrast to the 1970s precast concrete courthouse it replaced in 2012.

Exceptional architectural features include raised wooden floors with displacement air-conditioning, under floor cabling, and underside floor slab ceilings. The facade of the building features double-skin glass with anti-glare fritting (a form of glass tinting and colouring) and integrated sun-blinds controlled by a computerised solar clock system. This allows penetration of light into all areas of the building while at the same time controlling the heat and glare. The building is suggestive of a traditional Queensland house in its use of wooden floors and extensive sun-shading.

Courtrooms are extensively equipped with technology to support videoconferencing and electronic trials. All courtrooms and jury rooms have one external glass wall, and internal high level glass walls allowing passage of light from public areas. The result is a light, open courthouse, comprised of generously scaled and simply detailed internal spaces of dignity and presence.

The inclusion of internal and external gardens and courtyards throughout the building responds to the character of the subtropical environment and promotes healthy workplaces. All public areas have extensive views over adjacent streets, the square, or neighbouring parkland.

The QEII Courts of Law also houses a significant collection of contemporary and historical artwork, including public artworks commissioned especially for the building.

The Sir Harry Gibbs Legal Heritage Centre on the ground floor is open to the public and is home to a semi-permanent exhibition which explores the law in Queensland, Without fear or favour: exploring Queensland’s legal system.

The Supreme Court Library Queensland—located on level 12 of the building—was established in 1862, and provides legal information services to members of the judiciary, Queensland Courts, and the legal profession. The library is also open to the public and regularly hosts exhibitions and displays about Queensland’s legal heritage.

NOTE: Pre-booked ticket holders only, https://events.humanitix.com/brisbane-open-house-tour-queen-elizabeth-ii-courts-of-law-building