Beenleigh Judicial Registrar Eases Magistrates’ Case Load
Published Thursday, 15 May, 2008 at 11:46 AM
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland
The Honourable Kerry Shine
The case load of the Beenleigh 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, the Beenleigh-based judicial registrar Grace Kahlert has dealt with 459 civil and criminal matters,” Mr Shine said.
“Ms Kahlert has made a significant contribution to reducing pressure on the Beenleigh Magistrates Court.
“Beenleigh is one of the busiest Magistrates Courts in Queensland having dealt with 10,682 criminal matters involving 21,653 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 Ms Kahlert was authorised to hear some of the more straight-forward matters that would ordinarily need to be determined by Magistrates.
“As a judicial registrar Ms Kahlert has dealt with a range of matters including small claims and minor debts, domestic violence orders and imposing bail conditions.”
“She has also had the opportunity to circuit to Beaudesert where she has dealt with a total of 57 civil matters.”
“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 Grace Kahlert for her important contribution which is helping to achieve this.”
Media contact: Troy Davies 3239 6400 or 0488 799 273
“Since the pilot began in January, the Beenleigh-based judicial registrar Grace Kahlert has dealt with 459 civil and criminal matters,” Mr Shine said.
“Ms Kahlert has made a significant contribution to reducing pressure on the Beenleigh Magistrates Court.
“Beenleigh is one of the busiest Magistrates Courts in Queensland having dealt with 10,682 criminal matters involving 21,653 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 Ms Kahlert was authorised to hear some of the more straight-forward matters that would ordinarily need to be determined by Magistrates.
“As a judicial registrar Ms Kahlert has dealt with a range of matters including small claims and minor debts, domestic violence orders and imposing bail conditions.”
“She has also had the opportunity to circuit to Beaudesert where she has dealt with a total of 57 civil matters.”
“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 Grace Kahlert for her important contribution which is helping to achieve this.”
Media contact: Troy Davies 3239 6400 or 0488 799 273