New Magistrate appointed to Southport

Brisbane-based barrister Michael Hogan has been appointed as a new Magistrate based in Southport, Attorney-General Kerry Shine said today.

Mr Shine said Magistrate Hogan’s appointment as a Magistrate will be effective from tomorrow (20 July), with a swearing-in ceremony to be held in Brisbane tomorrow.

Mr Shine said the appointment followed the transfer of Magistrate John Costello from Southport to Brisbane to replace retiring Magistrate Gordon Dean.

“Magistrate Hogan brings a wealth of experience as a barrister and solicitor. His legal career started as an articled clerk in 1971,” Mr Shine said.

“He practised in Mount Isa and Brisbane in private practice, with Legal Aid Queensland and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service before being admitted to the Bar in 1987.”

“Magistrate Hogan’s appointment as a Magistrate will be widely welcomed in the legal profession.”

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