The Law Society of NSW today welcomed the appointment of new Local Court Circuits at Grafton, in the Northern Rivers and Muswellbrook, in the Hunter region. 

NSW Law Society President, Elizabeth Espinosa, said the creation of the two new Local Court Circuits, each with a new magistrate, will be welcome news for solicitors based in the respective regions. 

“The changes mean that for the first time, both Grafton and Muswellbrook will each have a new magistrate based locally and presiding over a new Local Court circuit,” she said. 

“This will help relieve the pressure on the local courts and assist in reducing the backlogs and lengthy delays which are currently impacting on victims of crime, witnesses and the accused. 

“I know members of the legal profession in these areas will welcome the additional sitting days that will flow on from this announcement. 

“They know only too well the additional stress that court delays can place on victims of crime, witnesses and the accused,” she said.  

“We welcome the news and will, on behalf of the state’s solicitors, continue to call on the NSW Government to commit to additional local court resources in other regions around the state.” 

The creation of a new Grafton Local Court Circuit will see Tweed Heads gain 60 sitting days per year, Lismore Local Court will sit for an extra 36 days and Grafton’s sittings will increase by 24 days. 
 
Casino, Kyogle, Maclean, Ballina, Byron Bay, Murwillumbah and Mullumbimby will each benefit from 12 extra sitting days a year. 
 
In the Hunter, the new Local Court Circuit Cessnock Local Court will gain 60 additional sitting days per year, followed by 48 in each of Muswellbrook, Singleton and Toronto Local Courts. Tamworth and Belmont will each benefit from 24 extra sitting days a year. Sittings at Scone and Kurri Kurri will remain the same.