Published Thursday, 15 November, 2007 at 01:26 PM
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland
The Honourable Kerry Shine
Three New Queensland Magistrates Appointed
Three new appointments to Queensland’s Magistrates Court have been approved by Executive Council today, Attorney-General Kerry Shine said.
Mr Shine said the new Magistrates were appointed to courts in Brisbane, Rockhampton and Townsville.
The new appointments are:
• Brisbane-based solicitor Chris Callaghan (Brisbane)
• Gympie-based solicitor Maxine Baldwin (Brisbane and then Rockhampton from between 19-31 March 2008)
• Townsville-based solicitor with Legal Aid Queensland Cathy Wadley (Townsville).
Magistrate Wadley will be sworn in on 19 November, with Magistrate Baldwin being sworn in on 21 November and Magistrate Callaghan’s swearing-in being held in Brisbane on 3 December.
“These appointments follow recent retirements from the Magistracy," Mr Shine said
"The work of the Magistrates Court is integral to 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 government’s initiative to trial judicial registrars to alleviate pressure on the Magistrates Court, will assist the court to maintain its very impressive clearance rates,” Mr Shine said.
“In 2006-07 Queensland Magistrates Courts achieved a clearance rate of 96% which was just above the target of 95%.”
Mr Shine said the Government has increased the number of Magistrates in recent years to ensure these excellent figures are maintained.
“We have created five additional Magistrates’ positions in the last three years.”
“These new Magistrates will be welcomed by the communities they serve, not only for their contribution to the justice system, but also for their out-of-court work, which often goes unheralded but is worthy of recognition,” Mr Shine said.
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6400, 0488 799 273
Mr Shine said the new Magistrates were appointed to courts in Brisbane, Rockhampton and Townsville.
The new appointments are:
• Brisbane-based solicitor Chris Callaghan (Brisbane)
• Gympie-based solicitor Maxine Baldwin (Brisbane and then Rockhampton from between 19-31 March 2008)
• Townsville-based solicitor with Legal Aid Queensland Cathy Wadley (Townsville).
Magistrate Wadley will be sworn in on 19 November, with Magistrate Baldwin being sworn in on 21 November and Magistrate Callaghan’s swearing-in being held in Brisbane on 3 December.
“These appointments follow recent retirements from the Magistracy," Mr Shine said
"The work of the Magistrates Court is integral to 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 government’s initiative to trial judicial registrars to alleviate pressure on the Magistrates Court, will assist the court to maintain its very impressive clearance rates,” Mr Shine said.
“In 2006-07 Queensland Magistrates Courts achieved a clearance rate of 96% which was just above the target of 95%.”
Mr Shine said the Government has increased the number of Magistrates in recent years to ensure these excellent figures are maintained.
“We have created five additional Magistrates’ positions in the last three years.”
“These new Magistrates will be welcomed by the communities they serve, not only for their contribution to the justice system, but also for their out-of-court work, which often goes unheralded but is worthy of recognition,” Mr Shine said.
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6400, 0488 799 273