District Court of Queensland
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Federal Law Courts |
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Queensland Law Courts |
The District Court of Queensland is the second tier in the court hierarchy of the Australian state of Queensland.[1]
History
The original court was established in 1866 to ease the Supreme Court workload. However, in 1921 the Queensland Parliament decided District Courts were no longer necessary and the courts were abolished. They were re-established in 1958 to relieve the workload in the Supreme Court of Queensland.
The present court is constituted under the District Court of Queensland Act 1967 (Qld). That act amalgamated the previous District Court in existence prior to 1967 into the new District Court.
Jurisdiction
The court has jurisdiction to hear all appeals from decisions made in the Magistrates Court.[1]
Civil
The District Court has jurisdiction to hear civil matters for which the amount in dispute is less than or equal to $750,000, and more than $150,000.[1] Civil disputes in which the amount in dispute is more than $750,000 are heard by the Supreme Court, while those in which the amount is $150,000 or less are heard by either the Magistrates Court or the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal.[1]
Criminal
The District Court has the jurisdiction to hear criminal matters in which the defendant has been charged with a serious indictable offence (such as armed robbery, rape, and dangerous driving).[1]
Composition
The current Chief Judge of the District Court is Kerry J O'Brien.[2]
The District Court operates permanent courts in Brisbane, Beenleigh, Cairns, Ipswich, Maroochydore, Rockhampton, Southport, Townsville, and sits in regional areas as required.[1]
Brisbane
The Brisbane District Court is located in the Queen Elizabeth II Courts of Law building (jointly with the Supreme Court) on George Street, Brisbane CBD.[3]
The judges who currently sit at the Brisbane District Court are:
- Judge David C Andrews SC
- Judge Hugh Botting
- Judge Helen P Bowskill QC
- Judge Brendan Butler SC
- Judge Leanne Clare SC
- Judge Brian G Devereaux SC
- Justice Julie M Dick
- Judge Kiernan Dorney QC
- Judge Brad Farr SC
- Judge Alexander Horneman-Wren SC (Also Deputy President of QCAT)
- Judge Richard Jones
- Judge Fleur Y Kingham
- Judge Terence D Martin SC
- Judge Douglas J McGill SC
- Judge Michael J Noud
- Judge Kerry J O'Brien
- Judge Michael E Rackemann
- Judge Anthony Rafter SC
- Judge David Reid
- Judge Orazio Rinaudo (Also Chief Magistrate)
- Judge Julie Ryrie
- Judge Nicholas Samios
- Judge David G Searles
- Judge Michael Shanahan (Also President of Children's Court)
- Judge Suzanne C Sheridan
- Judge Paul Smith (Also Judge Administrator)
Beenleigh
The Beenleigh District Court is located on the corner of Kent Street and James Street, Beenleigh.[3] The judge who currently sits at the Beenleigh District Court is:
- Judge Ian Dearden[2]
Cairns
The Cairns District Court is located at 5 Sheridan Street, Cairns.[3] The judges who currently sit at the Cairns District Court are:
Ipswich
The Ipswich District Court is located at 42 Ellenborough Street, Ipswich.[3] The judges who currently sit at the Ipswich District Court are:
- Judge Sarah Bradley
- Judge Gregory J Koppenol
- Judge Deborah Richards[2]
Maroochydore
The Maroochydore District Court is located on Cornmeal Parade, Maroochydore.[3] The judges who currently sit at the Maroochydore District Court are:
Rockhampton
The Rockhampton District Court is located on the corner of East Street and Fitzroy Street, Rockhampton.[3] The judge who currently sits at the Rockhampton District Court is:
- Judge Paul E Smith (Also Judge Administrator)
- Judge Michael J F Burnett
Southport
The Southport District Court is located on the corner of Hinze Street and Davenport Street, Southport.[3] The judges who currently sit at the Southport District Court are:
- Judge Clive F Wall RFD QC
- Judge Katherine M McGinness
Townsville
The Townsville District Court is located at 31 Walker Street, Townsville.[3] The judges who currently sit at the Townsville District Court are:
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Department of Justice and Attorney-General (Queensland) (2010). "The District Court of Queensland". Government of Queensland. Retrieved 15 June 2012.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Department of Justice and Attorney-General (Queensland) (2012). "Judges of the District Court contacts". Government of Queensland. Retrieved 15 June 2012.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 Department of Justice ad Attorney-General (Queensland) (2012). "Courthouses contacts". Government of Queensland. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
- ↑ Department of Justice and Attorney-General (Queensland) (2015). "Judges of the District Court contacts". Government of Queensland. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
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