Exclusivity

CDA is the only available public search resource for current and historic criminal and civil court list records that can be searched by a person's name or that of a company/other entity.

In January 2023 search access to New Zealand and Papua New Guinea court records also became available.

However, we do partner with a very small, select group of search providers who enhance their own data with CDA records.

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Offence details

Details of the (criminal) offence/s for which a person is before the courts is available in the NT, SA  and WA records.  TAS offences prior to August 2020 are also available.

The Matter Type section is also often of assistance and can identify AVO, traffic, sex related offences, debt, insurance claim and other types of matters.

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​Correct (full) name spelling

​As the database contains official court listings, the spelling of the name is likely to be accurate. In addition, additional middle names can often be found to better target further searches.

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​Alias names

The CDA database is also available to help identify any alias, AKA or maiden names. Looking for Carl Reynolds? Would it be handy to know he also uses the name, Carl Schwob.

Whatever other name someone might use, it is searchable.  

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​ID persons who are a Junior (Jnr) or Senior (Snr)

​There are several thousand persons listed in the CDA database as either a Junior (Jnr) or Senior (Snr). This basically means that there is (or was) another person with the exact same name.  Perhaps they even reside or resided at the same address.

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​Current or ex-partners

​Civil court records can sometimes be a great resource for identifying possible spouses or partners. Both persons can sometimes be listed in a civil action whether they are the ones taking the action against another person/entity or the ones against whom the action is being brought. 

Family law courts will mostly identify both persons involved in a matter. Note: searches should be done using a surname followed by the first initial of the given name in the Company Search section.

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​​Domestic Violence matters

The database can assist with checking out not only the subject of an investigation, but also a domestic matter client. All states (except the ACT and QLD) identify domestic violence court matters.

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​Deceased persons

Access to official Births, Deaths and Marriage records are, for the most part, highly restricted in Australia. Therefore, identifying whether someone is now deceased means accessing and searching multiple cemetery and other similar sites.

The civil court records component of the database can assist as deceased estate court matters and inquests are regularly included.  In January 2023 we also started adding historic and current court probate and public notice matters.

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​Locations

Further assistance is provided by pin-pointing people at a specific location on a particular day. If you've been looking for someone in one state and find a person with the same name has recently appeared before the courts in a different state, then a change of focus is possibly worthwhile. 

If a potential multi-day trial matter is identified, you will also known where that person is likely going to be on the following day.

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​Employment

The civil records include Industrial Relations Commission daily court lists for most states. Whilst not definitive, it can often provide a further lead to assist in determining a person's employer.

In addition, as all persons involved in a court matter are searchable (as per the Case Title), this can often identify police, legal representatives and other persons acting on behalf of the applicant.

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​Background Checks - for personal or business reasons

The CDA database is a must-have resource for any investigator providing background check services on a person or business, or for anyone conducting any kind of personal or professional research. The extent of the information available cannot be obtained elsewhere. 

See also:  Why Aren't Police Criminal Record Checks Enough?

As an individual, you might want to find out a little more about that new person in your life or even an old boyfriend/girlfriend.  

Or, if you are thinking of using a business or a trades person?  A quick CDA database search can sometimes prove worthwhile over and above online reviews.​​

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​Additional lines of inquiry

A court case listing will often identify other persons involved in the matter. For example, a NSW Apprehended Violence Application will (most times) also identify the name of the person lodging the AV Application. Matters can also often identify police, legal representatives and other persons acting on behalf of the applicant.

Civil court case listings usually show both the name of the person or organisation lodging the action as well as the person/organisation against whom the action is lodged.