New Magistrate appointed to Toowoomba

Former Toowoomba-based solicitor Damian Carroll has been appointed as a new Magistrate based in Toowoomba, Attorney-General Kerry Shine said today.

Mr Shine said Magistrate Carroll had worked as a consultant to Murdoch Lawyers in Toowoomba from 1999 to 2002. His 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 retirement of Magistrate Greg McIntyre.

“Magistrate Carroll has worked as a consultant to WHD Lawyers in Brisbane since leaving Toowoomba,” Mr Shine said.

“Magistrate Carroll was a partner of Rockhampton law firm, Grant and Simpson Solicitors, for almost 25 years (1976 to 1999). He is a former secretary and president of the Central Queensland Law Association, and since 1991 he has served as senior counsellor with the Queensland Law Society.

“He has been a member of Rotary Clubs in Rockhampton, Toowoomba and Brisbane since 1998.”

Mr Shine said Magistrate Carroll’s distinguished career, and his experience as a regional practitioner, meant he was well qualified to be appointed to the Magistracy.

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

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