Judicial Registrars to assist Queensland's busiest courts

Queensland's busiest courts will become even more efficient thanks to a new judicial role introduced to State Parliament today by Attorney-General and Justice Minister Kerry Shine.

Mr Shine said the proposed amendments to the Magistrates Act 1991 reflected the growing workload of magistrates and the new role of judicial registrar would enable Queensland's busiest courts to hear more matters.

“Judicial registrars will be authorised to hear some of the more straight-forward matters that currently need to be determined by magistrates,” he said.

Mr Shine said the aim of appointing judicial registrars would enhance the administration of justice in the busiest court jurisdiction in Queensland by allowing magistrates to focus on more complex and contested cases.

It is proposed judicial registrars will determine:
·minor debt claims and small claims (claims under $7500 in value);
·civil chamber applications;
·domestic violence adjournments, temporary orders and orders by consent;
·bail applications where the prosecution does not oppose the granting of bail;
·'hand-up' committal hearings (where there is no oral evidence or cross-examination of witnesses) and where the defendant consents to committal for trial or sentence;
·examinations under the Commonwealth Corporations Act; and
·mentions.

The new role of the judicial registrar is part of a package of legislative reforms introduced as part of the Justice and Other Legislation Amendment Bill.

It also amends 28 pieces of Justice portfolio legislation to improve their operational efficiency, as well as the Juvenile Justice Act 1992, the Corrective Services Act 2006; the Mental Health Act 2000 and the Industrial Relations Act 1999.

Mr Shine said other key elements of the Bill included amendments to the Bail Act 1980 to enable magistrates to consider bail applications lodged by telephone, radio or other communication device.

"Such changes will reduce court time and overcome the difficulties associated with having to transport defendants from remote areas to communities where court sits," Mr Shine said.

The Bill also proposes amendments to:
·ensure the Anti-Discrimination Commission can received complaints about discrimination on the basis of trad union activity;
·enables more extensive use of video conferencing facilities for court appearances in remote locations, particularly in the Torres Strait Islands; and
· enable marriage celebrants to lodge marriage certificates electronically for easier administration.

19 April 2007
Media contact: Kirby Anderson (Mr Shine's office) 3239 6400 or 0418 197 350
kirby.anderson@ministerial.qld.gov.au