New Deputy Chief Magistrate appointed

A well-respected magistrate with three decades of legal experience and dedicated service to the community has been appointed to the role of Deputy Chief Magistrate in Queensland.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Shannon Fentiman today announced the promotion of Magistrate Stephen Courtney to this important position.

“Magistrate Courtney was appointed to the Magistrates Court in 2017, following a distinguished legal career, including time spent as a crown prosecutor and barrister appearing in hundreds of jury trials in the District and Supreme Courts,” Minister Fentiman said.

“Prior to graduating from the Queensland University of Technology with a Bachelor of Laws in 1994, Magistrate Courtney served our community as a police officer and police prosecutor during the 1980s.

“Magistrate Courtney is well qualified to take on this senior role having previously established the specialist domestic and family violence court in Townsville, Mt Isa, and Palm Island.

“In addition, Magistrate Courtney has been responsible for the Queensland Drug and Alcohol Court since 2021.

Minister Fentiman said Magistrate Courtney would join Deputy Chief Magistrate Anthony Gett serving as one of the court’s two Deputy Chief Magistrates.

“I congratulate Magistrate Courtney on his appointment to this new role and wish him every success as he continues to serve our justice system with dedication and distinction,” she said.