What role do local courts play in the Australian legal system?

Local courts serve a crucial role in the Australian legal system by primarily handling minor criminal and civil matters. They are often the first point of contact for individuals seeking justice, dealing with less serious offences such as summary crimes, minor civil disputes, and traffic violations. This tier of court is designed to provide accessible and efficient justice for straightforward legal issues, ensuring that citizens can resolve their matters without the complexities involved in higher courts.

By managing these lesser cases, local courts alleviate the burden on higher courts, allowing them to focus on more serious and complex legal issues. This structure helps to create a streamlined judicial system that maintains the rule of law and ensures that all citizens have the opportunity to have their legal matters addressed in a timely manner.

In contrast, the other options incorporate roles and functions that are not characteristic of local courts. Higher appellate courts are the appropriate venues for appeals, law-making through case decisions is more commonly associated with higher courts, and international law is typically outside the jurisdiction of local courts, which focus on domestic legal matters.