A welcome boost to the Local Court bench

Law Society of NSW

Wednesday, 11 December 2024

A welcome boost to the Local Court bench

The creation of five new judicial positions at the Local Court of NSW is a welcome investment to help Australia’s busiest court increase its efficiency and further strengthen the justice system.

President of the Law Society of NSW Brett McGrath said today’s announcement by Attorney General Michael Daley of eleven new magistrates will reinforce the legal skill and diversity on the Local Court bench.

“The Local Court of NSW is the engine room of the NSW justice system, dealing with more than 90 percent of criminal matters and around 60,ooo civil matters each year,” Mr McGrath said.

“The appointment of these magistrates represents a regeneration of the judicial talent of the Local Court and the expansion of the bench by five will help meet the ever-increasing demands on the court as our population continues to grow.”

Mr McGrath congratulated all eleven appointees whose breadth of experience in the law and elsewhere qualifies them well to administer justice in the Local Court.

“Attaining judicial office represents a legal career pinnacle for lawyers who dedicate their working lives to the administration of justice. It is especially pleasing that many of the new magistrates have been appointed directly from the ranks of solicitors who are or have been members of the Law Society of NSW,” Mr McGrath said.

“I’m delighted that one of the appointees, Shaun Mortimer, will take judicial office after valued service representing the Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Limited on the Law Society’s Indigenous Issues Committee.”

The Law Society will be represented at each of the swearing in ceremonies in January and February, including by the incoming President for 2025, Jennifer Ball.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Damien Smith | Director, Media and Public Relations
The Law Society of New South Wales
M: +61 417 788 947 | E: Damien.Smith@lawsociety.com.au