District Court of Queensland
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.
District Court of Queensland | |
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![]() Cairns Courthouse, a permanent location for the District Court | |
Established | 1866–1921; 1958 |
Jurisdiction | ![]() |
Location | Queen Elizabeth II Courts of Law in Brisbane; Beenleigh; Cairns; Ipswich; Maroochydore; Rockhampton; Southport, Townsville |
Composition method | Vice-regal appointment upon nomination by the Premier following the advice of the Attorney-General and Cabinet |
Authorized by | Queensland Parliament via the District Court of Queensland Act 1967 (Qld) |
Appeals to | Supreme Court of Queensland |
Appeals from | Magistrates Court of Queensland |
Judge term length | mandatory retirement by age of 70 |
Number of positions | 39 |
Website | https://www.courts.qld.gov.au/courts/district-court |
Chief Judge | |
Currently | Kerry J. O'Brien |
Since | 20 October 2014 |
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, again 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
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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
Name | Date appointed | Term in office | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Chief Judge Kerry J. O'Brien | 20 October 2014 | 5 years, 302 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]
Name | Location | Date appointed | Term in office | Comments |
---|---|---|---|---|
Judge David C. Andrews SC | Brisbane | 28 March 2008 | 12 years, 142 days | |
Judge John R. Baulch SC | Townsville | 10 September 2010 | 9 years, 342 days | |
Judge Helen P. Bowskill QC | Brisbane | 10 November 2014 | 5 years, 281 days | |
Judge Sarah Bradley | Ipswich | 25 March 1999 | 21 years, 145 days | |
Judge Michael J. F. Burnett | Rockhampton | 3 November 2014 | 5 years, 288 days | |
Judge Brendan Butler AM, SC | Brisbane | 15 September 2008 | 11 years, 337 days | |
Judge Leanne Clare SC | Brisbane | 2 April 2008 | 12 years, 137 days | |
Judge Ian Dearden | Brisbane | 28 February 2005 | 15 years, 171 days | |
Judge Brian G. Devereaux SC | Brisbane | 17 July 2009 | 11 years, 31 days | |
Justice Julie M. Dick SC | Brisbane | 14 December 2000 | 19 years, 247 days | |
Judge Kiernan DorneyQC | Brisbane | 19 February 2010 | 10 years, 180 days | |
Judge Stuart G. Durward SC | Townsville | 21 August 2006 | 13 years, 362 days | |
Judge William G. Everson | Brisbane | 2 April 2008 | 12 years, 137 days | |
Judge Brad Farr SC | Brisbane | 11 August 2011 | 9 years, 6 days | |
Judge Brian Harrison | Cairns | 19 February 2010 | 10 years, 180 days | |
Judge Alexander Horneman-Wren SC | Ipswich | 20 October 2012 | 7 years, 302 days | |
Judge Richard Jones | Brisbane | 19 February 2010 | 10 years, 180 days | |
Judge Fleur Y. Kingham | Brisbane | 17 July 2006 | 14 years, 31 days | |
Judge Gregory J. Koppenol | Ipswich | 21 September 2007 | 12 years, 331 days | |
Judge Gary Long SC | Maroochydore | 13 May 2011 | 9 years, 96 days | |
Judge Terence D. Martin SC | Brisbane | 13 July 2007 | 13 years, 35 days | |
Judge Dean P. Morzone QC | Cairns | 27 October 2014 | 5 years, 295 days | |
Judge Tony Moynihan QC | Brisbane | 25 June 2015 | 5 years, 53 days | |
Judge Douglas J. McGill SC | Brisbane | 9 September 1996 | 23 years, 343 days | |
Judge Katherine M. McGinness | Southport | 17 July 2009 | 11 years, 31 days | |
Judge Michael J. Noud SC | Brisbane | 17 July 1989 | 31 years, 31 days | |
Judge Michael E. Rackemann SC | Brisbane | 12 January 2004 | 16 years, 218 days | |
Judge Anthony J. Rafter SC | Brisbane | 15 December 2006 | 13 years, 246 days | |
Judge David Reid | Brisbane | 19 February 2010 | 10 years, 180 days | |
Judge Deborah Richards | Brisbane | 26 November 1998 | 21 years, 265 days | |
Judge Orazio Rinaudo | Brisbane | 8 July 2014 | 6 years, 40 days | Also Chief Magistrate |
Judge John M. Robertson | Maroochydore | 23 September 1994 | 25 years, 329 days | |
Judge Julie Ryrie | Brisbane | 28 February 2005 | 15 years, 171 days | |
Judge David G. Searles | Brisbane | 13 July 2007 | 13 years, 35 days | |
Judge Michael J. Shanahan | Brisbane | 19 August 1999 | 20 years, 364 days | Also President of Children's Court |
Judge Suzanne C. Sheridan | Brisbane | 24 November 2014 | 5 years, 267 days | Deputy President, Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal |
Judge Paul E. Smith | Brisbane | 8 March 2013 | 7 years, 162 days | Also Judge Administrator |
Judge Clive F. Wall RFD, QC | Southport | 11 September 1996 | 23 years, 341 days |
References
- "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.
- District Court of Queensland Act 1967 (Qld)
- "Judges of the District Court contacts". Department of Justice and Attorney-General (Queensland). Government of Queensland. 26 July 2016. Archived from the original on 17 August 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
- "Courthouses contacts". Department of Justice ad Attorney-General (Queensland). Government of Queensland. 2012. Retrieved 16 June 2012.