Qld: Judicial resources in Queensland stretched report

AAP General News (Australia)
12-01-1999
Qld: Judicial resources in Queensland stretched report

Reports tabled in Queensland parliament show the District and Supreme courts face a
difficult 12 months with a mounting workload and inadequate facilities.

Supreme Court Chief Justice PAUL DE JERSEY and District Court Chief Judge PATRICIA
WOLFE have called for more state government resources for the state's judicial system.

In his annual report, Chief Justice PAUL DE JERSEY says funding for his court is a
matter of serious public concern.

He says while other government arms have had increased funding over the past few years,
spending on law courts and legal services decreased by 10 per cent between 1996 and 1999.

The report's found that in its criminal jurisdiction the Supreme Court disposed of
81 per cent of cases within six months of commencement in 1998-99.

A total of 204 cases were awaiting disposition at the end of the year -- an increase
on the previous year of 159.

The District Court has a similar experience, with Chief Judge WOLFE calling for more
judges to be appointed.

In parliament, Attorney-General MATT FOLEY has praised both courts for their performance
but says there's no magic wand to correct problems which have accumulated over the years.

AAP RTV ch/geb/rat/jn

KEYWORD: COURTS (BRISBANE)

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