Appointment of Christopher Steytler QC as Supreme Court judge

27/9/94

Western Australia is to have a new Supreme Court judge, one of three judges to be appointed as part of a Government package to reduce the backlog of cases in Perth courts.

Attorney General Cheryl Edwardes said Executive Council today had approved the appointment of Mr Christopher Steytler QC to the Western Australian Supreme Court bench.

"The appointment of Mr Steytler QC is to be followed by the appointment of two other judges to the District Court as soon as possible," Mrs Edwardes said.

"A total of $1.5 million is to be spent in addition to the $1million already committed for measures to help cut court delays, particularly in the District Court," Mrs Edwardes said.

These include:

·       the addition of another two courtrooms suitable for criminal hearings;

·       sweeping changes to listing procedures and fast-tracking pleas of guilty.

In addition to the appointment of two new judges, a commissioner will be appointed to the District Court for six months as part of a drive to reduce the backlog of about 600 criminal matters awaiting trial.

The commissioner will hear civil cases and free a judge to handle criminal matters.

Two civil courts in the National Mutual Building in St George's Terrace will be refurbished at a cost of $200,000 for use as criminal courts.  This will be funded from the Ministry of Justice's current capital works program.

"Major changes to listing procedures have been made possible through the co-operation of key people in the justice system," Mrs Edwardes said.

"Procedures being introduced next January will address the major current problem of courtrooms frequently being idle due to listed trials not proceeding.

"A system which enables 'fast-tracking' of cases where there is a guilty plea began operating last month and is already showing results.

"Additional measures being introduced in the Supreme Court were the appointment of a registrar to manage the flow of civil cases and a registrar and staff to establish a criminal registry.

"These measures will help redress long-term problems in the delivery of justice to Western Australians.

"Justice delayed is justice denied, and these initiatives underline the Ministry's commitment to a better system to serve the people."

Last year, a one-month blitz on the Supreme Court's backlog of civil cases eliminated waiting periods of up to 12 months.

The appointment of Mr Christopher Steytler QC to the Supreme Court bench will be effective from October 4.

"Mr Steytler QC is a welcome addition to the Supreme Court," Mrs Edwardes said.

Mrs Edwardes said Mr Steytler QC had been selected and appointed following extensive consultation with the Judiciary, the Law Society and the Bar Association.

Media contact:  Diana Russell Coote 421 7777