Old Court House Law Museum

Perth's oldest building, the Old Court House, is one of Western Australia’s most significant colonial cultural heritage sites. From its principal function as a court house, to its cultural role as the main social and civic hub of early colonial life, this small but highly significant building now operates as the Old Court House Law Museum and is open for everyone to access and explore.

The 1836 Old Court House building, located on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar, is a clear manifestation of the doctrine of terra nullius upon which the Swan River colony was founded. It provides a site and venue to reflect and consider the imposition of the British legal system upon Aboriginal peoples who practiced, and continue to practice, their own established laws and justice systems.

The Old Court House building holds a significant place in Western Australia’s colonial history. It represents the birthplace of religion, law and education in the young colony of Western Australia .

As a contemporary Museum, we collect, conserve and interpret Western Australia’s legal and social histories, our shared histories, from past to present. Interpretation at the Museum aims to reflect diverse Western Australian voices and lived experiences of the law, its reach and impact.

This significant building and Museum have big Western Australian histories to share and we invite you to help us bring these stories to the world.