The Court’s jurisdiction, confined to the state of New South Wales, Australia, includes merits review, judicial review, civil enforcement, criminal prosecution, criminal appeals and civil claims about planning, environmental, land, mining and other legislation.

[1] A Parliamentary review in 2001 noted "It is evident that there is some dissatisfaction within sections of the community about the role and operations of the Court".

In Environmental Protection and Legal Change (Federation Press, 1992) Wilcox J recounts how he helped draft a submission on behalf of the Bar Council recommending that the proposed Land and Environment Court (LEC) be established as part of the NSW Supreme Court.

Wilcox J notes that while Paul Landa (then Minister of Planning and Environment) did carefully review the submissions and follow many of the suggestions, he decided to establish the LEC as a separate court.

Appellants on constitutional issues may seek special leave for the matter to be heard before the High Court of Australia in certain circumstances.