MAGISTRATES COURTS TO BENEFIT FROM JUDICIAL REGISTRAR PILOT PROGRAM

The Queensland Government has committed $2.4 million to fund a pilot program aimed at reducing the pressure on some of the State’s busiest magistrates courts.

Premier Peter Beattie said the pilot would test the efficacy of a new role – judicial registrars – who will hear minor matters instead of a magistrate.

“The pilot program will operate at Brisbane, Beenleigh and Southport magistrates courts, some of the busiest in our State,” Mr Beattie said.

“Barristers or solicitors with five years’ standing, clerks of the Magistrates Court, current or former judges or magistrates will be eligible for appointment as judicial registrars.

“It is proposed that the registrars will take over responsibility for minor routine matters.

These will include:
• minor debt claims and small claims (claims under $7500 in value);
• civil chamber applications; and
• domestic violence adjournments, temporary orders and orders by consent.

Deputy Premier and Treasurer Anna Bligh said the Queensland State Budget 2007-08 allocated the funding for the two-year judicial registrar pilot program to start on 1 January 2008.

“The funding committed in the State Budget today will ensure we can move to the next step of establishing a pilot program.

“In 2007-08, $660,000 has been allocated to the pilot program.”

Attorney-General Kerry Shine said judicial registrars will be authorised to hear some of the more straight-forward matters that currently need to be determined by magistrates.

“These courts are some of the busiest in our State and they are getting busier,” the Attorney General said.

“The number of defendants and criminal charges coming before Queensland Magistrates court increased by 6% last financial year.

“The Magistrates Court deals with more than 95% of all criminal matters.

"The Queensland Government has responded to the increasing demands on the Magistrates Court by creating an additional four magistrates over the last two years.

“By allowing judicial registrars to deal with minor matters we can free up our magistrates to focus on more complex and contested cases”, Mr Shine said.

Mr Shine said it was expected that under the pilot the registrars would be drawn from the legal profession and officers of the court.

“Judicial registrars will be appointed by Governor-in-Council on the advice of the Attorney-General following consultation with the Chief Magistrate,” Mr Shine said.

Mr Shine said legislation to create the position of judicial registrars was currently before State Parliament.

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