Published Thursday, 15 May, 2008 at 11:43 AM
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland
The Honourable Kerry Shine
Southport Judicial Registrars Make Dent in Magistrates’ Case Load
The case load of the Southport Magistrates Court has been significantly reduced in the first quarter of 2008 thanks to the Queensland Government’s judicial registrars pilot program, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine said today.
“Since they began hearing straightforward matters in January, the two Southport based judicial registrars have dealt with 2292 civil and criminal matters,” Mr Shine said.
“Judicial registrars Trevor Davern and Robyn Carmody have made a significant contribution to reducing pressure on the Southport Magistrates Court.
“Outside of Brisbane, Southport is the busiest court in Queensland having dealt with 17,390 criminal matters involving 31,110 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 our investment is already beginning to pay off.”
Mr Shine said the Southport judicial registrars are authorised to hear some matters that would ordinarily be determined by Magistrates.
“Since taking up their positions in January, Mr Davern and Ms Carmody have dealt with matters including small claims and minor debts, domestic violence orders and imposing bail conditions,” Mr Shine said.
“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 the Southport judicial registrars for their important contribution to achieving this.”
Media contact: Troy Davies 3239 6400 or 0488 799 273,
“Since they began hearing straightforward matters in January, the two Southport based judicial registrars have dealt with 2292 civil and criminal matters,” Mr Shine said.
“Judicial registrars Trevor Davern and Robyn Carmody have made a significant contribution to reducing pressure on the Southport Magistrates Court.
“Outside of Brisbane, Southport is the busiest court in Queensland having dealt with 17,390 criminal matters involving 31,110 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 our investment is already beginning to pay off.”
Mr Shine said the Southport judicial registrars are authorised to hear some matters that would ordinarily be determined by Magistrates.
“Since taking up their positions in January, Mr Davern and Ms Carmody have dealt with matters including small claims and minor debts, domestic violence orders and imposing bail conditions,” Mr Shine said.
“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 the Southport judicial registrars for their important contribution to achieving this.”
Media contact: Troy Davies 3239 6400 or 0488 799 273,