Local Court Of New South Wales

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Local Court of New South WalesAnnual Review 2018

ContentsForeword by Chief Magistrate of New South Wales21. An overview of the Local Court4Jurisdictions and DivisionsThe Magistrates57Chief Magistrate’s Executive Office12The work of the Local Court registries132. Court operations during 201814Criminal jurisdiction15Civil jurisdiction19Coronial jurisdiction203. Diversionary programs and other aspectsof the Court’s work24Diversionary programs25Technology in the Local Court294. Judicial education and community involvement31Judicial education and professional development32Legal education in the community andparticipation in external bodies34Appendices38The Court’s time standards39The Court’s committees402018 Court by Court statistics421

Foreword by Chief Magistrate of New South WalesThe close of 2018 saw the Local Court facing thesame issues that have confronted it in previousyears – a burgeoning caseload, long sittinghours, a shortage of resources and no likelyrelief on the horizon. Regrettably, although thosewho are responsible for resourcing our justicesystem acknowledge the continual rise in casescoming before the Court, as well as the increasein complexity and seriousness of matters beingdiverted by the Director of Public Prosecutions(DPP) into final resolution in this jurisdiction,nothing changes.As a consequence the Local Court continues tostruggle with resulting impacts on and threatsto the health and wellbeing of its magistrates,as well as court staff and other stakeholders.Those caught in this struggle are drawn intothe contest between rising caseloads, reducedresources, and professional pride in doing thebest the court can for the many who seek accessto its commitment. Elsewhere, there is seemingambivalence in relation to the intermediate andlonger term consequences of this ongoing reality.At the end of 2018 the Court was exhausted.The reasons why are not hard to see.The criminal caseload of the Court rose byalmost 8,500 additional matters in the last12 months and the Court made final orders inalmost 58,000 domestic and personal violenceapplications, either on an interim basis or asfinal orders. In the civil jurisdiction over 78,000matters were commenced, some 1500 morethan the year before.During 2018 the Court also dealt with in excessof 80,000 bail applications, not to mentioninnumerable applications to vary conditionsof bail. Such have been the consequences ofthe tighter bail considerations. It is estimatedthese types of applications consume the timeequivalent of at least two full-time magistrates.Adding further to the rising impost areamendments to indictable offences which arecapable of being dealt with summarily (knownas ‘Table offences’), resulting in changes in thecomplexity and seriousness of the matters dealtwith in the Court’s criminal jurisdiction. In NSW,the DPP has discretion in Table matters to electthat they be dealt with either in the District2 Local Court of NSW Annual Review 2018Court before a judge and jury, or in the LocalCourt before a magistrate who performs bothroles. The difference in consideration lies solelyin the sentencing power of the court shouldan accused be found guilty or plead guilty. Inthe District Court a judge has access to themaximum penalty nominated by Parliament forthe particular offence. In the Local Court thesentencing power of a magistrate is constrainedto a maximum of 2 years imprisonment, or5 years imprisonment for multiple offences.During 2018 changes were introduced to add theoffences of Supplying a Prohibited Drug (up toa commercial quantity), Robbery, Perverting theCourse of Justice, and Dealing with the Proceedsof Crime to the list of Table offences which canbe dealt with in the Local Court. It is readilyunderstandable that the issues surrounding delayin the hearing of trials and sentence mattersin the District Court can be mitigated by theDPP choosing the Local Court as an alternativeforum for prosecuting these, and other, Tableoffences; and it is. However, the Local Court isexperiencing a discernible rise in more complexcriminal matters prosecuted to finality before amagistrate. They are more serious offences. Theytake longer to deal with. They are yet anotherdemand affecting the role of magistrates.The year in review has also seen the introductionof other legislative amendments which haveaffected, or are anticipated to affect, the Court’sworkload in various capacities. For instance, thecommencement of committal reforms and theintroduction of the statutory sentencing discountscheme in April 2018 (the Early AppropriateGuilty Plea reforms) has resulted in a significantrise in the number of committal matters resolvingsummarily in the Local Court, as opposed toproceeding to trial or sentence in the highercourts. In November 2018, amendmentstargeted at the duration of ApprehendedDomestic Violence Orders also passed throughParliament. While these amendments are yet tocommence, the Court anticipates they will leadto an additional ADVO workload and delays inthe finalisation of domestic violence mattersif they are not appropriately resourced, theconsequences of which will undoubtedly flow tovictims.

It should not be overlooked that another of thesignificant challenges to the effectiveness of theLocal Court lies in country regions. At presentthere are 34 country circuits, each of whichare presided over by a single magistrate whooperates in isolation, separated for the mostpart from their family, who remains behind in themetropolitan area, and without ready physicalaccess to the comfort of sharing their experiencewith a colleague.Magistrates in country regions also continueto undertake the role of coroner as part of theirappointment to office, as well as undertakingtheir day to day function as magistrates. Thisdual role requires them to attend to the deathsreported to them in their coronial capacity, aswell as presiding over criminal matters, attendingto bail applications, determining numerousfamily law property and parenting matters and aconsiderable number of application proceedings,such as licence appeals and general trafficmatters.As Head of Jurisdiction I am acutely aware ofthe demand placed on those magistrates and ofthe risk associated with ongoing isolation. Therisk becomes greater when it is associated, as itnow is, with constantly rising caseloads and longsitting hours in country regions.I wrote last year about the rise and rise incaseload with its corresponding challenges toachieve time standards and the need to keepsitting times at a level at or below that whichaccelerates exhaustion. It is a reality however thatthe Local Court, unlike the higher jurisdictions,does not carry out its tasks predominantly in thefuture.The Local Court operates in the present. Personscharged with offences (who may be deniedtheir liberty through a refusal of bail), victims(particularly victims of domestic violence), andwitnesses, together with the legal profession,have a reasonable expectation that theirmatters will be dealt with either on the day theycome before the court or within a short periodthereafter. This expectation drives magistrates tosit for longer hours, at the personal cost of risinglevels of stress, leading to physical exhaustionand what might be called “decision fatigue”.Contained elsewhere in this report is moredetailed information regarding the operations ofthe Court across its criminal, civil and coronialjurisdictions, which has assisted in informingthe commentary provided in this foreward.This information is worthy of consideration inthe context both of the demands entrusted tothe magistracy and the value the Local Court’sjurisdiction brings to the need for access tojustice throughout the State. When consideredin conjunction with the rising demands whichI have highlighted above, it is not too difficult tocomprehend the enormity of the challenge thatconfronts magistrates, both in the metropolitanarea and in country regions, in carrying out thework of the Court on a daily basis.Against this backdrop, it is likely in 2019 thatthere will be more changes to the way in whichthe Court operates, with a view to reducing thepressure on magistrates, court staff and otherstakeholders. There is a limit to the capacity ofthe court to continually cope with broad levels ofunder resourcing.If government remains insufficiently concernedwith the impact of their decision making on thecapacity and health of the Local Court, thenin 2019 it may fall to the Court itself to changeits practices to meet the challenges outlinedin a different way. If that comes to pass, as it isanticipated it will, then the reputation of the Courtfor efficiency and timeliness will be damaged.This is because the obvious consequenceof actions such as reducing sitting times topreserve the health and well-being of magistratesand court staff, as well as others caught up inthe current environment, will mean that delays indealing with cases will increase. There is a limit towhat may reasonably be expected of the LocalCourt. In my view that limit has been reached.Judge Graeme Henson AMChief Magistrate3

1An overview of the Local Court Jurisdictions and divisions The Magistrates Chief Magistrate’s Executive Office The work of the Local Court registries

Jurisdictions and DivisionsThe Local Court is the first point of contact manypeople have with the justice system in NewSouth Wales. In order of ascension, the DistrictCourt, Supreme Court, Courts of Appeal andCriminal Appeal, and the High Court of Australiafollow.The Court deals with a wide range of mattersacross several jurisdictions.Criminal jurisdictionThe Local Court deals with over 90% of allcriminal matters in the State, including thefinalisation of charges for summary offencesand the summary hearing of particular indictableoffences nominated under the CriminalProcedure Act 1986. The Court also conductscommittal proceedings to determine whether ornot indictable offences are to be committed tothe District and Supreme Courts.Magistrates are involved in the majority ofcriminal proceedings from the time a matter firstcomes before the court, to the time it is either: Finalised by a plea of guilty; Finalised at a hearing upon a not guilty plea,at which the defendant is found guilty oracquitted; Committed for sentence to the SupremeCourt or District Court after a plea of guilty; Committed for trial in the Supreme Courtor District Court where the matter is to bedefended; or Withdrawn by the prosecuting authority, andtherefore dismissed.Prosecutions in the criminal jurisdiction includematters that are: Brought under Federal law by theCommonwealth Director of PublicProsecutions; and Brought under State law either by the NSWDirector of Public Prosecutions, NSW PoliceForce, or Local Councils and regulatorybodies.When the Local Court deals with criminalmatters, depending on the type of offence, awide range of penalties and sentences can beimposed, such as: Non-custodial sentences, including:–– A dismissal without a conviction beingrecorded against the offender–– A discharge upon condition the offenderenter into an intervention program–– A discharge under a Conditional ReleaseOrder, without conviction being recordedagainst the offender–– A conviction without further punishment–– A Conditional Release Order, withconviction–– A fine, with conviction–– A Community Corrections Order, withconviction Custodial sentences, including:–– An Intensive Correction Order, underwhich the offender serves a sentence ofimprisonment ‘in the community’ and isrequired to comply with conditions suchas a curfew, completion of communityservice work, home detention, electronicmonitoring, abstention, non-association,place restrictions, and/or completion ofrehabilitative or treatment programs–– Full-time imprisonmentCommunity Correction Orders and IntensiveCorrection Orders often involve the offenderbeing externally assessed as to their suitabilityfor certain conditions before the sentence isdelivered.The maximum term of full-time imprisonmentthat can be imposed by the Local Court is aterm of 2 years for a single offence where gaolis the maximum penalty or an accumulation ofup to 5 years for multiple offences where themaximum penalty for each offence is a term ofimprisonment.5

Civil jurisdictionThe Local Court exercises a civil jurisdiction,in which it deals with matters where people,companies or business owners may make claimsfor up to and including 100,000 for recovery ofdebts, demands or damages. The civil case loadof the Court is split between two Divisions:Coroner or a Deputy State Coroner also has solejurisdiction in relation to deaths of children in careor at risk of harm and certain deaths of peoplewith disabilities. The Small Claims Division deals with claimswith a monetary value of up to 10,000*.Proceedings in the Small Claims Divisionare conducted with as little formality andtechnicality as is needed for the properconsideration of the issues in dispute. Thehearing is generally an informal processwhere the Court considers statements anddocuments provided by the parties. Theparties are also given the opportunity tocomment upon the evidence.The State Coroner is responsible for overseeingand co-ordinating all coronial services in NSW. The General Division deals with claimsbetween the amounts of 10,000* and 100,000 (except in claims relating to personalinjury or death, where a jurisdictional limit of 60,000 applies). Matters where the monetaryvalue of the claim is less than 10,000* mayalso be transferred to the General Division incircumstances where the issues in dispute arecomplex, difficult, or of such importance thatthey should more properly be dealt with in theGeneral Division.* The Justice Legislation Amendment Act (No 3)2018 passed on 21 November 2018 andincreased the jurisdiction of the Small ClaimsDivision to monetary claims of up to 20,000.These changes commence from 28 February2019, outside the period covered by this review.Coronial jurisdictionAll magistrates, by virtue of their office, arecoroners. A coroner has jurisdiction to conductan inquest if a person has died a violent unnaturaldeath, a sudden death cause unknown, or undersuspicious or unusual circumstances.A death must be reported to the State Coroneror Deputy State Coroner where a person diesduring the course of a police operation or whilstin custody, and an inquest must be conductedinto the circumstances of that death. The State6 Local Court of NSW Annual Review 2018Coroners also have jurisdiction to hold an inquiryinto the cause and origin of fires and explosionswhere property has been damaged or destroyed.Special jurisdictionThe Local Court exercises a special jurisdictionto determine any proceedings other than criminalor civil proceedings for which power is conferredby an Act of Parliament. These proceedings areregulated by Part 4 of the Local Court Act 2007.One example is the review of dependencycertificates under the Drug and AlcoholTreatment Act 2007, which authorise theinvoluntary detention and treatment of personswith severe substance dependence. Magistratesare regularly scheduled to attend the hospitalswhere the Involuntary Drug and AlcoholTreatment (IDAT) program operates (currently,Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards andBloomfield Hospital, Orange) to conduct reviewhearings to determine whether the ongoingdetention of a person under a dependencycertificate is warranted. Hearings are held ona regular day of the week as required, and areconducted with as little technicality and formalityas possible.Industrial jurisdictionSince 2013, all magistrates have been appointedas industrial magistrates. The industrialjurisdiction deals with matters including: Recovery of money owing under industrialinstruments, such as Awards, EnterpriseAgreements and statutory entitlements; Prosecutions for breach of industrialinstruments; Appeals from various administrative decisions;and Prosecutions for statutory breaches.

The MagistratesThe judicial officers of the Court are themagistrates. The Governor of New South Walesappoints magistrates pursuant to section 13 ofthe Local Court Act 2007 on the advice of theExecutive Council.The Local Court Act also provides that theGovernor may appoint a Chief Magistrate andDeputy Chief Magistrates.As at 31 December 2018, there were 137magistrates (129 full-time magistrates and 8part-time) who presided in the Local Court andChildren’s Court at approximately 150 sittinglocations throughout New South Wales.In 2018, the magistrates were as follows:Chief MagistrateHis Honour Judge Graeme Leslie Henson AMDeputy Chief MagistratesHer Honour Magistrate Jane Ellen MottleyHis Honour Magistrate Christopher GerardO’Brien (until 9 April 2018 when appointed asa Judge of the NSW District Court), thenHis Honour Magistrate Michael Gerard Allen(from 21 May 2018)His Honour Magistrate Leslie William Mabbutt(State Coroner) (from 16 April to14 December 2018)MagistratesHis Honour Magistrate Imad Abdul-KarimHis Honour Magistrate Michael Gerard Allen(until 21 May 2018 when appointed as aDeputy Chief Magistrate)His Honour Magistrate John AndrewsHis Honour Magistrate Michael David AntrumHer Honour Magistrate Jennifer AtkinsonHer Honour Magistrate Joan Margaret BaptieHis Honour Magistrate Michael Andrew BarkoHis Honour Magistrate Peter J Barnett SCHis Honour Magistrate Glenn James BartleyHer Honour Magistrate Geraldine Beattie,Deputy State CoronerHis Honour Magistrate Graham Thomas BlewittAMHer Honour Magistrate Joy BoulosHis Honour Magistrate Geoff Edward BraddHis Honour Magistrate Rodney Joel BrenderHis Honour Magistrate George BretonHis Honour Magistrate Dr Roger Alasdair Brown(until 7 November 2018)His Honour Magistrate Peter Ignatius BugdenHer Honour Magistrate Dominique BurnsHer Honour Magistrate Jayeanne CarneyHis Honour Magistrate Ian Malcolm CheethamHis Honour Magistrate John Michael ChickenHis Honour Magistrate Roger James ClisdellHis Honour Magistrate Michael John ConnellHis Honour Magistrate Stephen CorryHis Honour Magistrate Daniel Aidan Covington(from 22 January 2018)Her Honour Magistrate Sharron Maree CrewsHer Honour Magistrate Kathy Jane CrittendenHis Honour Magistrate Michael William CromptonHis Honour Magistrate Graeme Bryan CurranHis Honour Magistrate Michael Gary DakinHer Honour Magistrate Georgina Maree Darcy(from 26 November 2018)His Honour Magistrate David DayHis Honour Magistrate David Patrick DegnanHer Honour Magistrate Robyn Eva DenesHis Honour Magistrate Stuart James Devine(from 22 January 2018)His Honour Magistrate Douglas Raymond DickHis Honour Magistrate Hugh DonnellyHis Honour Magistrate Mark Antony DouglassHer Honour Magistrate Susan Mary DuncombeHis Honour Magistrate Geoffrey James DunlevyHis Honour Magistrate Andrew Ronald EckholdHer Honour Magistrate Elizabeth Anne EllisHer Honour Magistrate Clare Joanne FarnanHis Honour Magistrate Peter Gordon FeatherHer Honour Magistrate Dr Gabriel CatherineFlemingHer Honour Magistrate Catherine JosephineFollentHer Honour Magistrate Carmel Ann ForbesHis Honour Magistrate Caleb Mark FranklinHer Honour Magistrate Sharon Claire FreundHis Honour Magistrate Richard Benedict Funston(from 30 April 2018)7

His Honour Magistrate James Henry GibsonHer Honour Magistrate Jennifer Anne GilesHer Honour Magistrate Claire GirottoHer Honour Magistrate Michelle Norma GoodwinHer Honour Magistrate Harriet Winifred Grahame,Deputy State CoronerHer Honour Magistrate Megan JeanetteGreenwoodHis Honour Magistrate Gregory John GroginHis Honour Magistrate Ian James GuyHis Honour Magistrate Christopher CharlesHalburdHer Honour Magistrate Theresa HamiltonHer Honour Magistrate Christine Mary HaskettHer Honour Magistrate Estelle Ann HawdonHis Honour Magistrate Paul HayesHis Honour Magistrate David Michael HeilpernHer Honour Magistrate Nancy Louise Hennessy,Deputy President, Administrative DecisionsTribunalHis Honour Magistrate Geoffrey Graeme HiattHis Honour Magistrate Jeffrey Raymond HoggHer Honour Magistrate Sharon Lee HoldsworthHis Honour Magistrate Michael North HolmesHer Honour Magistrate Susan Anne HoranHer Honour Magistrate Julie Anne HuberHis Honour Magistrate Ross HudsonHer Honour Magistrate Carolyn Mary HuntsmanHis Honour Magistrate Timothy Bernard KeadyHer Honour Magistrate Erin Camille KennedyHer Honour Magistrate Joanne Mary KeoghHer Honour Magistrate Georgia Knight(until 31 December 2018)His Honour Magistrate Derek Jonathan Lee,Deputy State CoronerHis Honour Magistrate Jeffrey Alan Linden,Deputy State CoronerHis Honour Magistrate Christopher LongleyHis Honour Magistrate Terence Timothy LucasHis Honour Magistrate Leslie William MabbuttHis Honour Magistrate Paul Anthony MacMahonHer Honour Magistrate Debra Gladys Maher(from 18 June 2018)His Honour Magistrate Ronald John Maiden8 Local Court of NSW Annual Review 2018His Honour Magistrate Shane McAnultyHer Honour Magistrate Margaret Mary McGlynnHer Honour Magistrate Susan McGowanHer Honour Magistrate Susan Clare McIntyreHer Honour Magistrate Louise M McManusHis Honour Magistrate Alexander MijovichHer Honour Magistrate Jacqueline Mary MilledgeHis Honour Magistrate Andrew John Miller(from 23 April 2018)His Honour Magistrate Anthony Kevin Murray(until 4 July 2018)His Honour Magistrate (Bernard) Michael O’BrienHis Honour Magistrate David Bernard O’Neil(from 26 November 2018)Her Honour Magistrate Teresa MargaretO’Sullivan, Deputy State CoronerHis Honour Magistrate David PriceHer Honour Magistrate Karen Jennifer PriceHis Honour Magistrate Roger David ProwseHer Honour Magistrate Margaret Christine QuinnPSMHis Honour Magistrate Allan Wilson RailtonHis Honour Magistrate Daniel ReissHis Honour Magistrate Mark RichardsonHer Honour Magistrate Karen RobinsonHer Honour Magistrate Leanne Robinson(from 23 April 2018)Her Honour Magistrate Paula Mary Russell,Deputy State CoronerHer Honour Magistrate Elizabeth Jane Ryan,Deputy State CoronerHer Honour Magistrate Mary RyanHis Honour Magistrate Albert John SbrizziHer Honour Magistrate Beverley Anne SchurrHer Honour Magistrate Suzanne Gaye SeagraveHer Honour Magistrate Tracy SheedyHis Honour Magistrate Brett ShieldsHer Honour Magistrate Ellen SkinnerHer Honour Magistrate Julie Anne SoarsHer Honour Magistrate Karen Elizabeth StaffordHer Honour Magistrate Lisa Veronica StapletonHis Honour Magistrate Phillip Douglas StewartHis Honour Magistrate Gary James StillHis Honour Magistrate Michael Martin Stoddart

His Honour Magistrate Robert George Stone,Deputy State CoronerHer Honour Magistrate Margot Gai StubbsHer Honour Magistrate Vivien Margaret SwainHis Honour Magistrate Brett Stephen ThomasHer Honour Magistrate Katherine E ThompsonHis Honour Magistrate Peter John Thompson(from 5 February 2018)Her Honour Magistrate Fiona Gladys TooseHer Honour Magistrate Jacqueline Maree TradHer Honour Magistrate Elaine Maree Truscott,Deputy State CoronerHis Honour Magistrate Theo TsavdaridisHis Honour Magistrate Brian John van ZuylenHer Honour Magistrate Alison Mary VineyHer Honour Magistrate Julia Kathleen VirgoHis Honour Magistrate Glenn Kevin WalshHis Honour Magistrate Bruce Haldane WilliamsHis Honour Magistrate David Ian WilliamsHis Honour Magistrate Robert Hilary WilliamsHis Honour Magistrate Gary WilsonHer Honour Magistrate Eve WynhausenJudicial appointments during 2018His Honour Magistrate Daniel AidanCovingtonDaniel Covington began his career in his hometown of Wollongong where he worked as asolicitor for a private firm. He then joined LegalAid, where he was a solicitor in Sydney for morethan a decade.He has instructed counsel in trials in the SupremeCourt and appeared in sentencing hearings in theDistrict Court. He also recently served as LegalAid’s Crime Legal Education Coordinator andwas part of its implementation team for the EarlyAppropriate Guilty Plea reforms.Mr Covington was sworn in as a magistrate on22 January 2018.Her Honour Magistrate Georgina Maree DarcyGeorgina Darcy worked at Legal Aid NSW forthe past 13 years, with her recent roles includingDeputy Director of the Criminal Law Division andSolicitor in Charge of the Parramatta JusticePrecinct Office.Earlier in her career, she was an Aboriginal LegalService (NSW/ACT) solicitor and a clerk at someof Sydney’s busiest Local Courts.Ms Darcy obtained a Bachelors of Laws and Artsfrom the University of NSW and a Master of Arts(Journalism) from the University of Wollongong.Ms Darcy was sworn in as magistrate on26 November 2018.His Honour Magistrate Stuart James DevineStuart Devine worked as a solicitor in privatepractice between 1995 and 2001. During thistime, he represented clients before the WoodRoyal Commission into police corruption, theNSW Parole Board, and the Coroner’s Court.Mr Devine worked at Legal Aid for the past16 years, most recently serving as a solicitoradvocate.Mr Devine was sworn in as a magistrate on22 January 2018.His Honour Magistrate Richard BenedictFunstonRichard Funston has more than three decadesof experience as a solicitor and manager of legalservices in NSW and Victoria. He worked forLegal Aid NSW from 1997, initially practising asa solicitor before being appointed to its executiveteam in 2001.In recent years, Mr Funston served in some ofLegal Aid’s most senior roles including DeputyChief Executive Officer and Director of CriminalLaw. He acted as CEO of Legal Aid on variousoccasions since 2011, including for six monthsfollowing the retirement of the late Bill Grant OAMin December 2016.Mr Funston was sworn in as a magistrate on30 April 2018.Her Honour Magistrate Debra Gladys MaherDebra Maher brings more than 20 years oflegal experience to the bench, most recentlyas Solicitor in Charge of the Children’s LegalService.During her career, she has worked across arange of jurisdictions including the Children’sCourt, Drug Court, Local Court, District Courtand the Supreme Court. Ms Maher has worked9

as a senior criminal lawyer for major legalorganisations such as the Office of the Directorof Public Prosecutions, and the IndependentCommission Against Corruption.Ms Maher also sat on the Board of Women’sLegal Services between 1995 and 2009 whereshe gained significant insight into the issuesfacing women in the justice system.Ms Maher was sworn in as a magistrate on18 June 2018.His Honour Magistrate Andrew John MillerAndrew Miller has worked in the justice systemfor a quarter of a century. He has worked as abarrister and solicitor in private practice. Healso served as a Crown Prosecutor for theOffice of the Director of Public Prosecutionsfrom 2016 until 2017, appearing in trials on arange of matters including child sexual assault,manufacturing of prohibited drugs and fraud.Mr Miller was sworn in as a magistrate on23 April 2018.His Honour Magistrate David Bernard O’NeilDavid O’Neil is an accomplished barrister whohas practised law for more than three decadesand is a foundation member of Maurice ByersChambers. His principal areas of practice includecriminal, work health and safety (WHS), liquorand coronial law. He has appeared extensivelyin the Court of Criminal Appeal and on a numberof occasions in the Supreme Court in high riskoffender hearings.Before joining the Bar in 1997, Mr O’Neiloperated a solicitor’s practice in Sydney’s innerwest for 11 years. He was admitted as a solicitorin 1982 after obtaining a Bachelor of Laws fromthe University of NSW.Mr O’Neil was sworn in as a magistrate on26 November 2018.Her Honour Magistrate Leanne RobinsonLeanne Robinson worked at Legal Aid NSWfor the majority of her professional life. Mostrecently, in her role as Legal Aid’s Deputy Directorof Criminal Law, she worked closely with otherjustice agencies to implement key reforms,including the Early Appropriate Guilty Pleareforms.10 Local Court of NSW Annual Review 2018For more than 20 years, Ms Robinsonspecialised in criminal law, appearing primarilyin the Local and Children’s Courts. In 1997, shewas awarded Children’s Lawyer of the Year bythe National Children’s and Youth Law Centre forher work on establishing a visiting legal service toJuvenile Justice centres.Ms Robinson was sworn in as a magistrate on23 April 2018.His Honour Magistrate Peter John ThompsonAfter beginning his career in the NSW PoliceForce in 1988, Peter Thompson joined the DPPin 2005 and has regularly conducted DistrictCourt jury trials, primarily in Parramatta. MrThompson has also previously appeared as aCrown Prosecutor.In addition, Mr Thompson served in the RoyalAustralian Air Force Specialist Reserve, attainingthe rank of Squadron Leader. He representedmembers of the Defence Force accused ofcriminal conduct and facing disciplinary offencesbetween 2007 and 2016.Mr Thompson was sworn in as a magistrate on5 February 2018.Magistrate appointed as a Judge of the NSWDistrict CourtHis Honour Deputy Chief Magistrate ChristopherGerard O’Brien was appointed as a Judge of theDistrict Court and was sworn in on 9 April 2018.Judicial retirements during 2018His Honour Magistrate Dr Roger Alasdair BrownHer Honour Magistrate Georgia KnightHis Honour Magistrate Anthony Kevin MurrayActing Magistrates in 2018The Court could not continue to achieve theoutstanding service to the administrationof justice that makes it a leader within theCommonwealth without the energy andassistance of acting magistrates. Recently retiredmagistrates may be commissioned as actingmagistrates under s 16 of the Local Court Act2007 for a limited tenure.Acting magistrates are used to preside atweekend bail courts. They may also be used tocover absences on sick leave and extended leave.

Acting magistrates in 2018 were:His Honour Acting Magistrate Robert JosephAboodHis Honour Acting Magistrate Peter FrederickAshtonHis Honour Acting Magistrate John AnthonyBaileyHis Honour Acting Magistrate Leslie BrennanHis Honour Acting Magistrate Dr Roger AlasdairBrown (from 12 November 2018)His Honour Acting Magistrate James CoombsHis Honour Acting Magistrate John OrmondeCrawfordHis Honour Acting Magistrate Peter Dare SC(from 16 January 2018)His Honour Acting Magistrate Colin Al

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