New Magistrate appointed to Sandgate

Brisbane-based solicitor and criminal law specialist Michael Quinn has been appointed as the new Magistrate based at Sandgate, Attorney-General Kerry Shine said today.

Mr Shine said Magistrate Quinn has been a solicitor with Brisbane-based firm Gilshenan and Luton, where he has practised since he began articles in 1973.

“Magistrate Quinn was admitted as a solicitor in 1977. He has held the positions of president of the Criminal Law Association of Queensland, vice-president of the Queensland Law Society and chair of the Queensland Law Society Criminal Law Committee,” Mr Shine said.

“Magistrate Quinn has extensive criminal law experience and his expertise has been previously sought by the Queensland Government for reviews of legislation, including the Criminal Code Act 1899.”

“In 2003, Magistrate Quinn was awarded the Centenary Medal for ‘distinguished service to the law in Queensland’.”

Mr Shine said the appointment followed the transfer of Sandgate Magistrate Pam Dowse to replace retiring Magistrate Tony Pascoe as the Brisbane Children’s Court Magistrate last month.

Magistrate Quinn’s appointment was one of five new Magistrate appointments approved by Executive Council. The other appointments are to Cairns, Toowoomba, Southport and Townsville. Magistrate Quinn’s appointment will take effect tomorrow (20 July). A swearing-in ceremony will be held in Brisbane tomorrow.

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