District Court of Queensland


The District Court of Queensland is the second tier in the court hierarchy of Queensland, Australia. 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. 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.

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. 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.

Criminal

The District Court has the jurisdiction to hear criminal matters in which the defendant has been charged with a serious indictable offence. These trials require a jury.

Composition

Chief Judge of the District Court

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. In Brisbane, the District Court shares the location with the Supreme Court.
, the judges who sat at the District Court, together with their location, were:
NameLocationDate appointedTerm in officeComments
Judge David C. Andrews Brisbane
Judge John R. Baulch Townsville
Judge Helen P. Bowskill Brisbane
Judge Sarah BradleyIpswich-
Judge Michael J. F. BurnettRockhampton-
Judge Brendan Butler Brisbane
Judge Leanne Clare Brisbane
Judge Ian DeardenBrisbane
Judge Brian G. Devereaux Brisbane
Justice Julie M. Dick Brisbane
Judge Kiernan DorneyBrisbane
Judge Stuart G. Durward Townsville
Judge William G. EversonBrisbane
Judge Brad Farr Brisbane
Judge Brian HarrisonCairns-
Judge Alexander Horneman-Wren Ipswich-
Judge Richard JonesBrisbane
Judge Fleur Y. KinghamBrisbane
Judge Gregory J. KoppenolIpswich-
Judge Gary Long Maroochydore-
Judge Terence D. Martin Brisbane
Judge Dean P. Morzone Cairns-
Judge Tony Moynihan Brisbane
Judge Douglas J. McGill Brisbane
Judge Katherine M. McGinnessSouthport
Judge Michael J. Noud Brisbane
Judge Michael E. Rackemann Brisbane
Judge Anthony J. Rafter Brisbane
Judge David ReidBrisbane
Judge Deborah RichardsBrisbane
Judge Orazio RinaudoBrisbaneAlso Chief Magistrate
Judge John M. RobertsonMaroochydore-
Judge Julie RyrieBrisbane
Judge David G. SearlesBrisbane
Judge Michael J. ShanahanBrisbaneAlso President of Children's Court
Judge Suzanne C. SheridanBrisbaneDeputy President, Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal
Judge Paul E. SmithBrisbaneAlso Judge Administrator
Judge Clive F. Wall Southport