District Court of Queensland
Cairns Courthouse, a permanent location for the District Court
Established1866–1921; 1958
Jurisdiction Queensland
LocationQueen Elizabeth II Courts of Law in Brisbane; Beenleigh; Cairns; Ipswich; Maroochydore; Rockhampton; Southport, Townsville
Composition methodVice-regal appointment upon nomination by the Premier following the advice of the Attorney-General and Cabinet
Authorized byQueensland Parliament via the: District Court Act 1967 (QLD)
Appeals toSupreme Court of Queensland
Appeals fromMagistrates Court of Queensland
Judge term lengthmandatory retirement by age of 70
Number of positions39
Websitewww.courts.qld.gov.au
Chief Judge
CurrentlyBrian Devereaux SC
Since17 August 2020 (2020-08-17)

The District Court of Queensland (QDC) 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, 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] The unreported judgments of the District Courts is published on the Queensland Judgments website.

Jurisdiction

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] District Court civil decisions are published on the Queensland Judgments website.

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. District Court criminal decisions are published on the Queensland Judgments website.

Composition

Chief Judge of the District Court

NameDate appointedTerm in officeNotes
Chief Judge Brian G Devereaux SC 17 August 2020 3 years, 137 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 April 2021, the judges who sat at the District Court, together with their location, were:[3]

NameLocationDate appointedTerm in officeComments
Judge John Allen QCBrisbane17 December 20185 years, 15 daysDeputy President, Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal
Judge Ken Barlow QCBrisbane18 June 20194 years, 197 days
Judge Michael J. F. BurnettRockhampton3 November 20149 years, 59 days
Judge Michael Byrne QCBrisbane20 January 20203 years, 346 days
Judge Glen Cash QCMaroochydore2 July 20185 years, 183 days
Judge Craig ChowdhuryBeenleigh13 May 20167 years, 233 days
Judge Leanne Clare SCBrisbane2 April 200815 years, 274 days
Judge Jeffrey ClarkeRockhampton31 August 20203 years, 123 days
Judge John CokerTownsville8 March 20185 years, 299 days
Judge Geraldine DannSouthport7 September 20203 years, 116 days
Judge Ian DeardenBrisbane28 February 200518 years, 307 days
Justice Julie M. Dick SCBrisbane14 December 200023 years, 18 days
Judge William G. EversonBrisbane2 April 200815 years, 274 days
Judge Tracy Fantin QCBrisbane16 October 20176 years, 77 days
Judge Brad Farr SCBrisbane11 August 201112 years, 143 days
Judge Terry GardinerBrisbane8 July 20194 years, 177 daysAlso Chief Magistrate
Judge Alexander Horneman-Wren SCIpswich20 October 201211 years, 73 days
Judge Rowan Jackson QCSouthport31 August 20203 years, 123 days
Judge Nathan JarroBrisbane26 March 20185 years, 281 days
Judge Richard JonesBrisbane19 February 201013 years, 316 days
Judge Nicole KeffordBrisbane14 November 20167 years, 48 days
Judge David Kent QCSouthport7 March 20167 years, 300 days
Judge Gary Long SCMaroochydore13 May 201112 years, 233 days
Judge Vicki Loury QCBrisbane17 December 20185 years, 15 days
Judge Dennis Lynch QCIpswich2 December 20167 years, 30 days
Judge Gregory LynhamTownsville24 April 20176 years, 252 days
Judge Dean P. Morzone QCCairns27 October 20149 years, 66 days
Judge Tony Moynihan QCBrisbane25 June 20158 years, 190 days
Judge Catherine MuirSouthport14 November 201627 years, 114 days
Judge Katherine M. McGinnessSouthport17 July 20097 years, 48 days
Judge Bernard Porter QCBrisbane28 August 20176 years, 126 days
Judge Michael E. Rackemann SCBrisbane12 January 200419 years, 354 days
Judge Anthony J. Rafter SCBrisbane15 December 200617 years, 17 days
Judge David ReidBrisbane19 February 201013 years, 316 days
Judge Deborah RichardsBrisbane26 November 199825 years, 36 days
Judge Orazio RinaudoBrisbane8 July 20149 years, 177 days
Judge Jennifer RosengrenBrisbane11 September 20176 years, 112 days
Judge Suzanne C. SheridanBrisbane24 November 20149 years, 38 days
Judge Paul E. SmithBrisbane8 March 201310 years, 299 daysAlso Judge Administrator
Judge Michael Williamson QCBrisbane19 March 20185 years, 288 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. Archived from the original on 17 August 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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