Published Thursday, 15 May, 2008 at 11:42 AM
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland
The Honourable Kerry Shine
Brisbane Judicial Registrar Eases Magistrates’ Case Load
The case load of the Brisbane Magistrates Court has been significantly reduced in the first quarter of 2008 thanks to the Bligh Government’s judicial registrars pilot program, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine said today.
“Since the pilot began in January, Brisbane-based judicial registrar Denis Beutel has dealt with 575 civil and criminal matters,” Mr Shine said.
“Mr Beutel has made a significant contribution to reducing pressure on the Brisbane Magistrates Court.
“The Brisbane Magistrates Court is the busiest in Queensland having dealt with 31,919 criminal matters involving 64,615 charges in the 2006-2007 financial year.
“The government committed $2.4 million for the two-year pilot program in Queensland’s four busiest courts in order to deliver more efficient and effective justice services.
“It is clear that the investment is already beginning to pay off.”
Mr Shine said Mr Beutel was authorised to hear some of the more straightforward matters that would ordinarily need to be determined by Magistrates.
“As a judicial registrar Mr Beutel has dealt with a range of matters including small claims and minor debts, domestic violence orders and imposing bail conditions.”
“By allowing judicial registrars to deal with minor matters we can free up our Magistrates to focus on more complex and contested cases.”
Mr Shine said it was only he right he highlight the success of the Judicial Registrars pilot during Law Week (May 10-16), which promotes Queensland’s court system to the public.
“The government has a clear commitment to an open, fair and accessible justice system for all Queenslanders. I thank Denis Beutel for his important contribution which is helping to achieve this.”
Media contact: Troy Davies 3239 6400 or 0488 799 273
“Since the pilot began in January, Brisbane-based judicial registrar Denis Beutel has dealt with 575 civil and criminal matters,” Mr Shine said.
“Mr Beutel has made a significant contribution to reducing pressure on the Brisbane Magistrates Court.
“The Brisbane Magistrates Court is the busiest in Queensland having dealt with 31,919 criminal matters involving 64,615 charges in the 2006-2007 financial year.
“The government committed $2.4 million for the two-year pilot program in Queensland’s four busiest courts in order to deliver more efficient and effective justice services.
“It is clear that the investment is already beginning to pay off.”
Mr Shine said Mr Beutel was authorised to hear some of the more straightforward matters that would ordinarily need to be determined by Magistrates.
“As a judicial registrar Mr Beutel has dealt with a range of matters including small claims and minor debts, domestic violence orders and imposing bail conditions.”
“By allowing judicial registrars to deal with minor matters we can free up our Magistrates to focus on more complex and contested cases.”
Mr Shine said it was only he right he highlight the success of the Judicial Registrars pilot during Law Week (May 10-16), which promotes Queensland’s court system to the public.
“The government has a clear commitment to an open, fair and accessible justice system for all Queenslanders. I thank Denis Beutel for his important contribution which is helping to achieve this.”
Media contact: Troy Davies 3239 6400 or 0488 799 273