Local Court of New South Wales
Local Court of New South Wales | |
---|---|
Attorney-General and Cabinet | |
Authorized by | Parliament of New South Wales via the Local Court Act 2007 (NSW) |
Appeals to | |
Judge term length | mandatory retirement by age of 75 |
Website | localcourt.nsw.gov.au |
Chief Magistrate | |
Currently | Judge Peter Johnstone |
Since | 2021 |
The Local Court of New South Wales is the lowest
Matters are heard before a single
On
The Chief Magistrate of the Local Court is Judge Peter Johnstone, former President of the NSW Children's Court, who was appointed in September 2021.[3] Judge Johnstone succeeded Judge Graeme Henson, appointed in 2006.[4]
History
In 1788, following the landing of the First Fleet and establishment of the Colony of New South Wales, the power and authority of the first criminal and civil courts in the Colony of New South Wales were vested by the Charter of Justice.[5][6]
The first Court of Petty Session's courthouse was constructed in 1821 at Windsor, 56 kilometres (35 mi) northwest of Sydney.[6]
Structure and jurisdiction
The Local Court of New South Wales hears civil matters of a monetary value of up to $100,000; mental health matters; family law and/or child care matters; adult criminal proceedings, including committal hearings, and summary prosecutions for
A magistrate can imprison offenders for no more than two years per sentence and no more than the maximum of five years for multiple sentences.
The Children's Court is a division within the Local Court that hears matters involving minors, or those that have not yet reached the age of 18, and is a closed court (i.e., the general public may not attend). The press can attend but may not publish the identity of the offender.
The Coroner's Court is another division within the Local Court that investigates violent or unnatural deaths, suspicious fires and/or explosions, but it cannot make orders to punish offenders. Coroners may, however, terminate their proceedings and pass on their findings onto state or federal Directors of Public Prosecutions for initiation of proceedings in another court at their discretion.
See also
- Courthouses in New South Wales
- List of New South Wales courts and tribunals
- Victims Compensation Tribunal
References
- ^ "Local Court Practice Note No. 1 of 2004: Form of Address in Court" (PDF). Local Court of New South Wales. Government of New South Wales.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Appeals". District Court. Government of New South Wales. 6 June 2016. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
- ^ "Law Society of NSW welcomes new Chief Magistrate". September 2021.
- ^ Nedim, Ugur (6 November 2015). "Behind the Scenes: Downing Centre Magistrates". Downing Centre Court. Sydney Criminal Lawyers. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
- ^ Charter of Justice 2 April 1787 (UK)
- ^ a b "History". Local Courts New South Wales. Government of New South Wales. 10 June 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
- ^ "Court Structure, Judges' Titles, and Order of Seniority" (PDF). The New South Wales Bar Association. September 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 March 2012.
- ^ Local Court Act 2007 (NSW)
- ^ "About us". Local Court. Government of New South Wales. 18 April 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2016.