Published Friday, 08 August, 2008 at 04:05 PM
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland
The Honourable Kerry Shine
Queensland’s justice system under the spotlight
A review of the state’s justice system will look at improving the way civil and criminal cases are dealt with by the courts, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine announced today.
“The review will examine aspects of both the civil and criminal justice system and identify practical improvements to resolve cases more quickly and fairly,” Mr Shine said.
“I have asked the Honourable Martin Moynihan AO QC, former Senior Judge Administrator of the Supreme Court of Queensland, to conduct the review.”
Mr Shine said it was timely to examine the current allocation of cases between the District Court and the Magistrates Court, and consider new ways of handling both civil and criminal matters.
“It is at least ten years since the time and public resources consumed by civil litigation have been examined,” he said.
“The review will also look at ways to encourage earlier resolution of criminal matters, which would benefit victims, witnesses and defendants, and be a more efficient use of courts’ resources.
“There is potential for some other offences to be handled in the Magistrates Court.
“Mr Moynihan will consult widely and hold a series of round table discussions to canvass specific issues during the course of this review.”
Mr Shine said he had asked Mr Moynihan to report on key areas including:
• the range of indictable offences heard by magistrates
• possible reforms to committal proceedings
• sentencing discounts for early guilty pleas
• case conferencing, and
• monetary limits for civil matters heard in the District and Magistrates Courts.
“I welcome feedback from our key stakeholders in the legal community and others with an interest in the justice system, and look forward to the outcomes of the review,” Mr Shine said.
Submissions to the review can be made until 5 September 2008.
Copies of the first review discussion paper on committal proceedings are available from the Department of Justice and Attorney-General website at www.justice.qld.gov.au.
Media contact: Kate Lennox 3224 7481 or 0421 127 869.
“The review will examine aspects of both the civil and criminal justice system and identify practical improvements to resolve cases more quickly and fairly,” Mr Shine said.
“I have asked the Honourable Martin Moynihan AO QC, former Senior Judge Administrator of the Supreme Court of Queensland, to conduct the review.”
Mr Shine said it was timely to examine the current allocation of cases between the District Court and the Magistrates Court, and consider new ways of handling both civil and criminal matters.
“It is at least ten years since the time and public resources consumed by civil litigation have been examined,” he said.
“The review will also look at ways to encourage earlier resolution of criminal matters, which would benefit victims, witnesses and defendants, and be a more efficient use of courts’ resources.
“There is potential for some other offences to be handled in the Magistrates Court.
“Mr Moynihan will consult widely and hold a series of round table discussions to canvass specific issues during the course of this review.”
Mr Shine said he had asked Mr Moynihan to report on key areas including:
• the range of indictable offences heard by magistrates
• possible reforms to committal proceedings
• sentencing discounts for early guilty pleas
• case conferencing, and
• monetary limits for civil matters heard in the District and Magistrates Courts.
“I welcome feedback from our key stakeholders in the legal community and others with an interest in the justice system, and look forward to the outcomes of the review,” Mr Shine said.
Submissions to the review can be made until 5 September 2008.
Copies of the first review discussion paper on committal proceedings are available from the Department of Justice and Attorney-General website at www.justice.qld.gov.au.
Media contact: Kate Lennox 3224 7481 or 0421 127 869.