Commonwealth Law Courts

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Across the street, the imposing Harry Gibbs Commonwealth Law Courts building dominates the Brisbane skyline. The Commonwealth Law Courts, as they are often called, stand as a modern testament to Australian justice. Completed in 1993, this thirteen-story structure houses several significant courts. These include the Queensland registries of the High Court of Australia and the Federal Court of Australia. It also houses the Brisbane registries of the Family Court of Australia, the Federal Circuit Court of Australia, and the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. The building itself cost a staggering A$130 million to construct. It was designed by the architect John Grealy in association with Peddle Thorp Architects. The Commonwealth Law Courts boasts an impressive 33 courtrooms and 29 judges’ chambers. Beyond these, there are also administration and prisoner holding facilities within its walls. The main entrance on North Quay features a grand 25-meter wide stairway. This stairway leads up to an eight-story atrium, a dramatic architectural feature. There’s a more practical working entrance located on Tank Street. The Commonwealth Law Courts are named after a prominent figure in Australian legal history. This is former Chief Justice of Australia, Sir Harry Gibbs. The building has received recognition for its architectural significance. In 1993, it was awarded the FDG Stanley Award for Public Architecture. More recently, in 2022, it received the Robin Gibson Award for Enduring Architecture. This was awarded by the Queensland Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects. This prestigious award underscores the building’s lasting impact on the Brisbane cityscape.

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