Community Magistrates will sit at three Auckland courts from 18-29 January 2010
For the fortnight beginning 18 January, experienced Community Magistrates from the Waikato Region will be presiding in List Courts in Auckland, North Shore and Waitakere District Courts. The aim of this is to prepare courts and stakeholders for the introduction of eight new Community Magistrates to the Auckland district courts in May 2010.
Eight new Community Magistrates will preside in Auckland Courts as of May 2010
The Government, has approved the expansion of Community Magistrates to the Auckland region. This follows the successful pilot of Community Magistrates working in the Waikato Region since 1999. It is anticipated that Community magistrates will free up District Court Judges to deal with more complex cases.
Eight new part-time Community Magistrates will be rostered across the Auckland District courts based on need, and may be called on to work public holidays and outside of traditional court hours. The selection and training of these new Community Magistrates has been completed, and they will be sworn in at a ceremony at the Manukau District Court on 29 January. They will then sit alongside judicial officers until May, at which time they will preside on their own.
Community Magistrates- quick facts
A few points to note when working with Community Magistrates:
- They do not wear gowns.
- They are addressed as ‘Your Worship’.
- Their hearing jurisdiction covers non-imprisonable offences.
- Their sentencing jurisdiction extends beyond their hearing jurisdiction, covering offences that carry a maximum penalty of imprisonment where it does not exceed 3 months and/ or a maximum fine of $7,500.
- More information on jurisdiction is available in the Community Magistrates Bench Book. A copy of this is available on request to any of the contact people listed below.
Project Working Group
A Project Working Group has been formed to ensure the most effective use of the eight new Community Magistrates across the Auckland region. The Group currently has representatives from the Auckland District Law Society, the Police Prosecution Service and the Ministry of Justice. It is expected that other key stakeholders will be invited to join after they have been identified at the initial meeting of the Project Working Group.
Updates and further information
There will be regular email updates regarding Community Magistrates to all stakeholders.
If you have any questions, or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact one of the following:
Todd Simmonds
Barrister
todd@toddsimmonds.co.nz or 379 4488
Lynn Hughes
Senior Lawyer, Public Defence Service
Ratonga Wawao a-Ture Tümatanui
lynnhughes@pds.govt.nz or 261 2511
Auckland District Court
Brian Reid, Caseflow Manager
brian.reid@justice.govt.nz or 916 9159
North Shore District Court
Jon Markey, Caseflow Manager
jon.markey@justice.govt,nz or 916 5754
Waitakere District Court
Louise Holloway, Caseflow Manager
louise.holloway@justice.govt.nz or 916 5251
Manukau District Court
Helen Takitimu, Caseflow Manager
helen.takitimu@justice.govt.nz or 916 2635