New District Court Judges Appointed
Published Friday, 28 March, 2008 at 10:59 AM
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland
The Honourable Kerry Shine
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine has announced the appointment of three new judges to the District Court.
Mr Shine said Leanne Clare SC, David Andrews SC and Barrister William Everson have accepted appointments to the District Court.
“The three new judges are all highly regarded by the profession, and will complement the existing Judges who perform such an important role in meeting the justice needs of Queenslanders”, Mr Shine said.
“Mr Andrews and Ms Clare will replace Judge Forno and Judge Nase, who both recently announced their retirements from the court in Brisbane.”
“Mr Everson will replace Judge White, who has announced his retirement from the Bench in Cairns.”
Mr Shine said Ms Clare has had a distinguished legal career and since 2000 has been Queensland’s Director of Public Prosecutions.
“Ms Clare began her legal career as a clerk in 1980 and joined the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in 1986.
“She has previously acted as a Judge of the District Court and was appointed Senior Counsel in 2006.
Mr Shine said Mr Andrews brings extensive legal learning and experience to his new role.
“Mr Andrews was admitted as a barrister in 1979 and has extensive experience in litigation, including civil and personal injuries matters.
“He was appointed Senior Counsel in 2001, and has appeared in all Queensland Courts, as well as the Federal and High Courts.”
Mr Shine said Mr Everson is an experienced and highly respected Barrister with an extensive and varied career in the law.
“He was admitted as a barrister in 1992 and has practised in a wide variety of jurisdictions, specialising in recent years in planning and environment law.”
“He acted for the Cairns City Council in its application to the Planning and Environment Court to save the Barrier Reef Hotel in Cairns.
“He has strong connections with Cairns , having lived and practiced as a Solicitor there for a number of years prior to being called to the Bar.”
Mr Shine said the search would begin immediately for Ms Clare’s replacement as the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Ms Clare will step down as DPP next week. Her Deputy, Mr Paul Rutledge, will act in the position while it is being advertised.
“The position will be advertised nationally in coming weeks and I am sure will attract a strong field of applicants,” he said.
“As Attorney-General I am keen to see that someone with extensive prosecution and legal experience and respect within legal circles is appointed as the next DPP.”
These appointments maintain the number of District Court Judges in Queensland at 38.
The District Court hears about 80% of all criminal matters which are prosecuted on indictment, as well as civil matters up to the monetary limit of $250,000.
In 2006-07, the District Court dealt with nearly 6,400 criminal matters with a 97% clearance rate and more than 6,000 civil cases with a 123% clearance rate.
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6400, 0488 799 273
Mr Shine said Leanne Clare SC, David Andrews SC and Barrister William Everson have accepted appointments to the District Court.
“The three new judges are all highly regarded by the profession, and will complement the existing Judges who perform such an important role in meeting the justice needs of Queenslanders”, Mr Shine said.
“Mr Andrews and Ms Clare will replace Judge Forno and Judge Nase, who both recently announced their retirements from the court in Brisbane.”
“Mr Everson will replace Judge White, who has announced his retirement from the Bench in Cairns.”
Mr Shine said Ms Clare has had a distinguished legal career and since 2000 has been Queensland’s Director of Public Prosecutions.
“Ms Clare began her legal career as a clerk in 1980 and joined the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in 1986.
“She has previously acted as a Judge of the District Court and was appointed Senior Counsel in 2006.
Mr Shine said Mr Andrews brings extensive legal learning and experience to his new role.
“Mr Andrews was admitted as a barrister in 1979 and has extensive experience in litigation, including civil and personal injuries matters.
“He was appointed Senior Counsel in 2001, and has appeared in all Queensland Courts, as well as the Federal and High Courts.”
Mr Shine said Mr Everson is an experienced and highly respected Barrister with an extensive and varied career in the law.
“He was admitted as a barrister in 1992 and has practised in a wide variety of jurisdictions, specialising in recent years in planning and environment law.”
“He acted for the Cairns City Council in its application to the Planning and Environment Court to save the Barrier Reef Hotel in Cairns.
“He has strong connections with Cairns , having lived and practiced as a Solicitor there for a number of years prior to being called to the Bar.”
Mr Shine said the search would begin immediately for Ms Clare’s replacement as the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Ms Clare will step down as DPP next week. Her Deputy, Mr Paul Rutledge, will act in the position while it is being advertised.
“The position will be advertised nationally in coming weeks and I am sure will attract a strong field of applicants,” he said.
“As Attorney-General I am keen to see that someone with extensive prosecution and legal experience and respect within legal circles is appointed as the next DPP.”
These appointments maintain the number of District Court Judges in Queensland at 38.
The District Court hears about 80% of all criminal matters which are prosecuted on indictment, as well as civil matters up to the monetary limit of $250,000.
In 2006-07, the District Court dealt with nearly 6,400 criminal matters with a 97% clearance rate and more than 6,000 civil cases with a 123% clearance rate.
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6400, 0488 799 273