District Court of Queensland

District Court of Queensland
Cairns Courthouse, a permanent location for the District Court
Established 1866–1921; 1958
Jurisdiction Queensland, Australia
Location Queen Elizabeth II Courts of Law in Brisbane; Beenleigh; Cairns; Ipswich; Maroochydore; Rockhampton; Southport, Townsville
Authorized by Queensland Parliament via the District Court of Queensland Act 1967 (Qld)
Decisions are appealed to Supreme Court of Queensland
Decisions are heard for appeals from Magistrates Court of Queensland
Chief Judge
Currently Kerry J. O'Brien
Since 20 October 2014 (2014-10-20)

The District Court of Queensland is the second tier in the court hierarchy of Queensland, Australia.[1] The Court deals with serious criminal offences such as rape, armed robbery and fraud. Juries are used to decide if defendants are guilty or not guilty.

The original court was established in 1866 to ease the workload of the Supreme Court of Queensland. However, in 1921 the Queensland Parliament decided District Courts were no longer necessary and the courts were abolished. They were re-established by Parliament in 1958 to relieve the workload in the Supreme Court. The present court is constituted under the District Court of Queensland Act 1967 (Qld).[2] That Act amalgamated the previous District Court in existence prior to 1967 into the new District Court.

The District Court sits in 32 locations across Queensland. Judges also travel throughout the state to hear matters in regional and remote areas.

Decisions made by the District Court may be heard on appeal to the Supreme Court; and the District Court may sit as an appellate court for decisions made in the Magistrates Court of Queensland.[1]

Jurisdiction

Queensland Court Hierarchy

Federal Law Courts

Queensland Law Courts

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] These trials require a jury.

Composition

Chief Judge of the District Court

NameDate appointedTerm in officeNotes
Chief Judge Kerry J. O'Brien 20 October 2014 3 years, 357 days [3]

Judges of the District Court

The District Court operates permanent courts in Brisbane, located in the Queen Elizabeth II Courts of Law building on George Street, Brisbane CBD; and Cairns, Ipswich, Maroochydore, Rockhampton, Southport, Townsville, and sits in regional areas as required.[1][4] In Brisbane, the District Court shares the location with the Supreme Court.

As of July 2016, the judges who sat at the District Court, together with their location, were:[3]

NameLocationDate appointedTerm in officeComments
Judge David C. Andrews SCBrisbane28 March 200810 years, 198 days
Judge John R. Baulch SCTownsville10 September 20108 years, 32 days
Judge Helen P. Bowskill QCBrisbane10 November 20143 years, 336 days
Judge Sarah BradleyIpswich25 March 199919 years, 201 days
Judge Michael J. F. BurnettRockhampton3 November 20143 years, 343 days
Judge Brendan Butler AM, SCBrisbane15 September 200810 years, 27 days
Judge Leanne Clare SCBrisbane2 April 200810 years, 193 days
Judge Ian DeardenBrisbane28 February 199523 years, 226 days
Judge Brian G. Devereaux SCBrisbane17 July 20099 years, 87 days
Justice Julie M. Dick SCBrisbane14 December 200017 years, 302 days
Judge Kiernan DorneyQCBrisbane19 February 20108 years, 235 days
Judge Stuart G. Durward SCTownsville21 August 200612 years, 52 days
Judge William G. EversonBrisbane2 April 200810 years, 193 days
Judge Brad Farr SCBrisbane11 August 20117 years, 62 days
Judge Brian HarrisonCairns19 February 20108 years, 235 days
Judge Alexander Horneman-Wren SCIpswich20 October 20125 years, 357 days
Judge Richard JonesBrisbane19 February 20108 years, 235 days
Judge Fleur Y. KinghamBrisbane17 July 200612 years, 87 days
Judge Gregory J. KoppenolIpswich21 September 200711 years, 21 days
Judge Gary Long SCMaroochydore13 May 20117 years, 152 days
Judge Terence D. Martin SCBrisbane13 July 200711 years, 91 days
Judge Dean P. Morzone QCCairns27 October 20143 years, 350 days
Judge Tony Moynihan QCBrisbane25 June 20153 years, 109 days
Judge Douglas J. McGill SCBrisbane9 September 199622 years, 33 days
Judge Katherine M. McGinnessSouthport17 July 20099 years, 87 days
Judge Michael J. Noud SCBrisbane17 July 198929 years, 87 days
Judge Michael E. Rackemann SCBrisbane12 January 200414 years, 273 days
Judge Anthony J. Rafter SCBrisbane15 December 200611 years, 301 days
Judge David ReidBrisbane19 February 20108 years, 235 days
Judge Deborah RichardsBrisbane26 November 199819 years, 320 days
Judge Orazio RinaudoBrisbane8 July 20144 years, 96 daysAlso Chief Magistrate
Judge John M. RobertsonMaroochydore23 September 199424 years, 19 days
Judge Julie RyrieBrisbane28 February 200513 years, 226 days
Judge David G. SearlesBrisbane13 July 200711 years, 91 days
Judge Michael J. ShanahanBrisbane19 August 199919 years, 54 daysAlso President of Children's Court
Judge Suzanne C. SheridanBrisbane24 November 20143 years, 322 daysDeputy President, Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal
Judge Paul E. SmithBrisbane8 March 20135 years, 218 daysAlso Judge Administrator
Judge Clive F. Wall RFD, QCSouthport11 September 199622 years, 31 days

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "The District Court of Queensland" (PDF). Department of Justice and Attorney-General (Queensland). Government of Queensland. 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 November 2013. Retrieved 15 June 2012.
  2. ↑ District Court of Queensland Act 1967 (Qld)
  3. 1 2 "Judges of the District Court contacts". Department of Justice and Attorney-General (Queensland). Government of Queensland. 26 July 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  4. ↑ "Courthouses contacts". Department of Justice ad Attorney-General (Queensland). Government of Queensland. 2012. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
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