Published Thursday, 13 December, 2007 at 04:59 PM
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland
The Honourable Kerry Shine
Shine Announces Appointment of Judicial Registrars
A trial of Judicial Registrars in Magistrates’ Courts has moved a step closer with today’s appointment of four solicitors and one barrister to fill four newly-created positions Attorney-General Kerry Shine said today.
Mr Shine said the Judicial Registrar positions were created earlier in the year with amendments to the Magistrates Act 1991.
“The Government has committed $2.4 million to fund the pilot program aimed at reducing the pressure on some of the state’s busiest Magistrates courts,” Mr Shine said.
“Under the pilot these Judicial Registrars will hear minor Magistrates Court matters. These matters would previously have been heard by a Magistrate.
“The program will operate at the Brisbane, Beenleigh, Townsville and Southport Magistrates’ courts, some of the busiest in our State.”
“The registrars will be able to hear minor routine matters.
Mr Shine said some of the these matters include:
• minor debt claims and small claims (under $7500 in value);
• civil chamber applications; and
• domestic violence adjournments, temporary orders and orders by consent.
Mr Shine said the two-year pilot is scheduled to commence on 1 January 2008.
“Solicitor Dennis Beutel will be appointed as Judicial Registrar in Brisbane,” he said.
“Mr Beutel is a former Registrar of the Magistrates’ Court, and has been an acting Magistrate since 1988. He currently holds the position as Regional Services Manager of the Magistrates’ Court at Sunshine Coast/Wide Bay region.”
“The position at Beenleigh will be shared by solicitors Robyn Carmody and Grace Kahlert on a job-share basis. Both women are highly regarded lawyers with extensive experience in practice, and will bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to this position,” Mr Shine said.
Mr Shine also announced that the position of Judicial Registrar at Townsville will be filled by Richard Lehmann.
“Mr Lehmann is a Criminal Lawyer with the Legal Aid Office in Townsville. He has had a long association with Townsville, completing his law studies externally while employed at Guides and Elliott Solicitors in Townsville.”
Mr Shine said the Southport position will be filled by barrister Trevor Davern.
“Mr Davern has worked in the Magistrates’ District and Supreme Courts registries, and is accredited as a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner.”
Mr Shine said judicial registrars will help process the Magistrates Court’s increasing case load.
“Magistrates Courts deal with more than 95% of all criminal matters and the number of defendants and criminal charges coming before Queensland Magistrates court increased by 6% last financial year.”
“The judicial registrars pilot will free up our Magistrates to focus on more complex and contested cases”, Mr Shine said.
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6400, 0488 799 273
Mr Shine said the Judicial Registrar positions were created earlier in the year with amendments to the Magistrates Act 1991.
“The Government has committed $2.4 million to fund the pilot program aimed at reducing the pressure on some of the state’s busiest Magistrates courts,” Mr Shine said.
“Under the pilot these Judicial Registrars will hear minor Magistrates Court matters. These matters would previously have been heard by a Magistrate.
“The program will operate at the Brisbane, Beenleigh, Townsville and Southport Magistrates’ courts, some of the busiest in our State.”
“The registrars will be able to hear minor routine matters.
Mr Shine said some of the these matters include:
• minor debt claims and small claims (under $7500 in value);
• civil chamber applications; and
• domestic violence adjournments, temporary orders and orders by consent.
Mr Shine said the two-year pilot is scheduled to commence on 1 January 2008.
“Solicitor Dennis Beutel will be appointed as Judicial Registrar in Brisbane,” he said.
“Mr Beutel is a former Registrar of the Magistrates’ Court, and has been an acting Magistrate since 1988. He currently holds the position as Regional Services Manager of the Magistrates’ Court at Sunshine Coast/Wide Bay region.”
“The position at Beenleigh will be shared by solicitors Robyn Carmody and Grace Kahlert on a job-share basis. Both women are highly regarded lawyers with extensive experience in practice, and will bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to this position,” Mr Shine said.
Mr Shine also announced that the position of Judicial Registrar at Townsville will be filled by Richard Lehmann.
“Mr Lehmann is a Criminal Lawyer with the Legal Aid Office in Townsville. He has had a long association with Townsville, completing his law studies externally while employed at Guides and Elliott Solicitors in Townsville.”
Mr Shine said the Southport position will be filled by barrister Trevor Davern.
“Mr Davern has worked in the Magistrates’ District and Supreme Courts registries, and is accredited as a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner.”
Mr Shine said judicial registrars will help process the Magistrates Court’s increasing case load.
“Magistrates Courts deal with more than 95% of all criminal matters and the number of defendants and criminal charges coming before Queensland Magistrates court increased by 6% last financial year.”
“The judicial registrars pilot will free up our Magistrates to focus on more complex and contested cases”, Mr Shine said.
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6400, 0488 799 273