Application by Non-Party to Inspect and/or Copy Documents (UCPR rr 975H-975I)

Under rule 975H of the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999 (Qld), any person may inspect a document filed in a civil proceeding, with exceptions. A non-party cannot inspect an originating process until a notice of intention to defend, a notice of address for service or a rule 16 application has been filed, and cannot inspect affidavits, exhibits, witness statements, subpoenaed documents, expert reports or written submissions unless they have been read or relied on in open court or in an application decided without a hearing (r 975H(2)-(3)). No one may inspect a document the court has made confidential or whose publication is restricted (r 975H(4)). A request must be in the approved form and come with the prescribed fee where the requester is a non-party, or is a party asking for a copy (r 975H(6)). The form published under this title is Form 138, Version 2, approved 6 October 2026, headed 'Request to Inspect or Copy Court Documents' and used by parties and non-parties. If the registrar says a document cannot be inspected without an order, a non-party applies to the court under rule 975I, using the application to inspect attached to Supreme Court Practice Direction 7 of 2025 (and the equivalent District Court and Magistrates Courts practice directions).

When you need it

• You want to inspect, or get copies of, documents on a civil file in the Supreme, District or Magistrates Court, whether or not you are a party.
• You are not a party, for example a journalist, researcher or someone affected by the case, and want to find out whether a document is open to you.
• The registrar has told you the document cannot be inspected without an order. Use the rule 975I application to inspect from the practice direction, supported by an affidavit.
• Not for criminal files or Planning and Environment Court files, which are governed by other rules (Criminal Practice Rules 1999, Justices Act 1886 s 154 and the Planning and Environment Court Rules 2018).

1. 1

   Identify the file

   Choose the Supreme, District or Magistrates Court, add the registry and file number, the date of the request and the file or party name.

2. 2

   Say who you are and what you want

   Tick whether you are a party (or act for one) or not a party, and whether you want to inspect the file or documents, or to get copies.

3. 3

   Describe the documents

   Give the court document numbers if you know them, or describe each document clearly enough for registry staff to find it.

4. 4

   Choose delivery and flag urgency

   Tick collection, email or post for copies. If you need the documents in less than 48 hours, say when and why.

5. 5

   Give your details and sign the acknowledgement

   Add your name, company if any, phone and email, then sign the acknowledgement. By signing you agree not to remove documents or take unauthorised copies, and to comply with any non-publication order or law restricting publication. The form says the onus is on you.

6. 6

   If an order is needed, use the application to inspect

   The rule 975I application identifies each document by description and court document number, says whether you seek to inspect or obtain copies, and lists the affidavits you rely on. The affidavit must state why you want the order and what use you intend to make of the document, including whether you intend to publish it (r 975I(2)).

• Queensland Courts says requests for Supreme, District and Magistrates Court files can be made online. Under Supreme Court Practice Direction 7 of 2025, a registrar considers the request and tells the non-party by email, within 2 business days, whether the document may be inspected or needs a court order.
• Fees: a prescribed fee applies to a non-party's request and to copies (r 975H(6)). Queensland Courts says parties usually do not pay search fees, that it will contact you with the total fee for copies, and that a retrieval fee may apply to documents stored offsite. Preparing documents can take up to seven business days.
• Rule 975I application: no filing fee is payable (Practice Direction 7 of 2025 para 7). In the Supreme Court it can be filed by return email to the registry that received the request, with the supporting affidavit (para 8). Unless the court orders otherwise, serve it on each party and on anyone you reasonably believe would be directly affected (r 975I(3)). The registrar will give you the parties' contact details if you ask.
• You may ask for the application to be decided without an oral hearing under rule 489. If every party consents, the parties can ask the registrar for a consent order under rule 666. An order permitting inspection is stayed until the prescribed fee is paid, unless the court orders otherwise (r 975I(6)).

• Consider waiting. The practice directions point out that an originating process becomes open once a notice of intention to defend or notice of address for service is filed, and other restricted documents become open once read or relied on in open court.
• Quote document numbers from the court file where you can. A precise request is processed faster.
• Check for suppression or non-publication orders before you use or publish anything you obtain. The acknowledgement on the form puts that responsibility on you.