The Chief Judge of the District Court, the Honourable Justice Derek Price AM, will carry out a review of case management and jury processes to reduce delays in criminal proceedings in the District and Supreme Courts.

The Law Society of NSW is looking forward to being consulted in relation to this review and ongoing dialogue with the Government around improvements in the operation of our criminal court system. We look forward to seeing the full terms of reference for this review. As the Chief Judge of the District Court has himself acknowledged, the complexity of criminal court matters makes this task very challenging. 

As members of the profession would agree, it is also crucial, in working to reduce court delays, that any gains in efficiency do not come at the expense of a fair and equitable justice system.

Later this week I will be heading to Newcastle for the July meeting of the Law Society Council. I will have the opportunity to tour the Newcastle Local Court and Family Court alongside Regional Law Society President Gary Fox. Visits to courts and legal services around our state, facilitated by our regional law societies, are crucial to gaining a better understanding of the challenges our profession faces in helping vulnerable members of the community access justice. 

On another note, I would like to congratulate former children’s advocate and Legal Aid lawyer Magistrate Teresa O’Sullivan on her appointment as the new State Coroner. Magistrate O’Sullivan will work alongside five deputy State Coroners, four of whom are women.

Magistrate O’Sullivan has already enjoyed an outstanding 30-year career working as a solicitor and barrister in legal aid and child protection, as a Magistrate of the Local Court and, more recently, as a Deputy Coroner. The work carried out by the NSW Coroners Court plays a key role in keeping our community safe by making recommendations that prevent unnecessary deaths.

Magistrate O’Sullivan has that rare mixture of skills required to head the NSW Coroners Court. She has a great depth of experience in the criminal and coronial jurisdictions both within Australia and abroad, she has the empathy and compassion required to deal with the bereaved families and friends who come into contact with the Coroners Court, and she has the immense respect of those who have worked with her during her long career. Magistrate O’Sullivan also understands and acknowledges the important role that all who participate in the coronial process play, from the police to medical forensic officers and registry staff.

I wish Magistrate O’Sullivan every success in her new role guiding the future direction of the NSW Coroners Court.

Elizabeth Espinosa, Law Society President

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