District Court of Queensland
Second tier State court in Australia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
Queensland| District Court of Queensland | |
|---|---|
| |
 Cairns Courthouse, a permanent location for the District Court | |
| Established | 1866–1921; 1958 |
| Jurisdiction | Queensland |
| 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 |
| Authorised by | Queensland Parliament via the: District Court 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 | www.courts.qld.gov.au |
| Chief Judge | |
| Currently | Brian Devereaux SC |
| Since | 17 August 2020 |
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
| Name | Date appointed | Term in office | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chief Judge Brian G Devereaux SC | 17 August 2020 | 5 years, 351 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[update], the judges who sat at the District Court, together with their location, were:[3]
| Name | Location | Date appointed | Term in office | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Judge John Allen QC | Brisbane | 17 December 2018 | 7 years, 229 days | Deputy President, Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal |
| Judge Ken Barlow QC | Brisbane | 18 June 2019 | 7 years, 46 days | |
| Judge Michael J. F. Burnett | Rockhampton | 3 November 2014 | 11 years, 273 days | |
| Judge Michael Byrne QC | Brisbane | 20 January 2020 | 6 years, 195 days | |
| Judge Glen Cash QC | Maroochydore | 2 July 2018 | 8 years, 32 days | |
| Judge Craig Chowdhury | Beenleigh | 13 May 2016 | 10 years, 82 days | |
| Judge Leanne Clare SC | Brisbane | 2 April 2008 | 18 years, 123 days | |
| Judge Jeffrey Clarke | Rockhampton | 31 August 2020 | 5 years, 337 days | |
| Judge John Coker | Townsville | 8 March 2018 | 8 years, 148 days | |
| Judge Geraldine Dann | Southport | 7 September 2020 | 5 years, 330 days | |
| Judge Ian Dearden | Brisbane | 28 February 2005 | 21 years, 156 days | |
| Justice Julie M. Dick SC | Brisbane | 14 December 2000 | 25 years, 232 days | |
| Judge William G. Everson | Brisbane | 2 April 2008 | 18 years, 123 days | |
| Judge Tracy Fantin QC | Brisbane | 16 October 2017 | 8 years, 291 days | |
| Judge Brad Farr SC | Brisbane | 11 August 2011 | 14 years, 357 days | |
| Judge Terry Gardiner | Brisbane | 8 July 2019 | 7 years, 26 days | Also Chief Magistrate |
| Judge Alexander Horneman-Wren SC | Ipswich | 20 October 2012 | 13 years, 287 days | |
| Judge Rowan Jackson QC | Southport | 31 August 2020 | 5 years, 337 days | |
| Judge Nathan Jarro | Brisbane | 26 March 2018 | 8 years, 130 days | |
| Judge Richard Jones | Brisbane | 19 February 2010 | 16 years, 165 days | |
| Judge Nicole Kefford | Brisbane | 14 November 2016 | 9 years, 262 days | |
| Judge David Kent QC | Southport | 7 March 2016 | 10 years, 149 days | |
| Judge Gary Long SC | Maroochydore | 13 May 2011 | 15 years, 82 days | |
| Judge Vicki Loury QC | Brisbane | 17 December 2018 | 7 years, 229 days | |
| Judge Dennis Lynch QC | Ipswich | 2 December 2016 | 9 years, 244 days | |
| Judge Gregory Lynham | Townsville | 24 April 2017 | 9 years, 101 days | |
| Judge Dean P. Morzone QC | Cairns | 27 October 2014 | 11 years, 280 days | |
| Judge Tony Moynihan QC | Brisbane | 25 June 2015 | 11 years, 39 days | |
| Judge Catherine Muir | Southport | 14 November 2016 | 9 years, 328 days | |
| Judge Katherine M. McGinness | Southport | 17 July 2009 | 9 years, 262 days | |
| Judge Bernard Porter QC | Brisbane | 28 August 2017 | 8 years, 340 days | |
| Judge Michael E. Rackemann SC | Brisbane | 12 January 2004 | 22 years, 203 days | |
| Judge Anthony J. Rafter SC | Brisbane | 15 December 2006 | 19 years, 231 days | |
| Judge David Reid | Brisbane | 19 February 2010 | 16 years, 165 days | |
| Judge Deborah Richards | Brisbane | 26 November 1998 | 27 years, 250 days | |
| Judge Orazio Rinaudo | Brisbane | 8 July 2014 | 12 years, 26 days | |
| Judge Jennifer Rosengren | Brisbane | 11 September 2017 | 8 years, 326 days | |
| Judge Suzanne C. Sheridan | Brisbane | 24 November 2014 | 11 years, 252 days | |
| Judge Paul E. Smith | Brisbane | 8 March 2013 | 13 years, 148 days | Also Judge Administrator |
| Judge Michael Williamson QC | Brisbane | 19 March 2018 | 8 years, 137 days |
