New Magistrate appointed to Cairns and far north

Cairns-based solicitor and outgoing president of the Queensland Law Society Joe Pinder has been appointed as a new Magistrate based in Cairns, Attorney-General Kerry Shine said today.

Mr Shine said Mr Pinder would be appointed to the new Magistrate’s position based at Cairns to conduct more frequent circuit courts in the Gulf of Carpentaria, Cape York and the Torres Strait. Mr Pinder’s appointment will take effect on 13 August.

Mr Shine said the appointment followed the creation of an additional Magistrate’s position in the State Budget last month.

“Mr Pinder’s his legal career started as an articled clerk in Cairns in 1971. He has practised law in Cairns since, most recently as principal as Pinder Gandini Special Personal Injury Lawyers,” Mr Shine said.

“He was admitted as a solicitor in 1987. He has been a very accomplished practitioner, who has strongly represented the profession through positions with the Queensland Law Society and LawAsia.”

“Mr Pinder’s involvement in the Cairns community, includes his service as honorary solicitor to the Cairns Basketball Association.”

Magistrate Pinder’s appointment was one of five new Magistrate appointments approved by Executive Council. The other appointments are to Townsville, Toowoomba, Southport and Sandgate.

Townsville-based Crown Prosecutor Peter Smid has been appointed as a Magistrate in Townsville following the retirement of Magistrate Graham Hillan.

Mr Shine said the Magistrates Court was the “frontline” of justice administration in Queensland as it hears more than 95% of criminal matters coming before the State’s courts.

“The number of matters coming before Queensland’s Magistrates courts is increasing. The appointment of new and additional Magistrates, and the Government’s initiative to trial judicial registrars to alleviate pressure on the Magistrates Court, are assisting the court to maintain its very impressive clearance rates,” Mr Shine said.

“Five additional Magistrates’ positions have been created in the last two years.”

19 July 2007
Media contact: Kirby Anderson 3239 6400 or 0418 197 350