Local Court of New South Wales

There are over 160 Local Courts in New South Wales. Local Court cases are heard by a magistrate without a jury. It hears summary offences (offences of a less serious nature) as well as indictable offences and committal hearings. It hears civil claims up to $100,000 and has a Small Claims Division for claims less than $10,000. It also hears applications for Apprehended Violence Orders (AVOs). The magistrate can imprison offenders for up to two years, however it can accumulate for multiple offences up to a maximum of five years. It is at the bottom of the Australian court hierarchy. Also contained within the Local Court are the Children's Court of New South Wales and the Coroner's Court of New South Wales. The Children's Court hears matters involving those who have not yet reached the age of 18 and is a closed court, meaning the general public may not attend. The media are allowed to attend but may not publish the identity of the offender. The Coroner investigates suspicious deaths and fires. It does not punish offenders however, it passes its findings on to another court.

The current Chief Magistrate of the Local Court of NSW is currently His Honour Judge G L Henson. The current Deputy Chief Magistrates are Her Honour Deputy Chief Magistrate J E Mottley and Her Honour Deputy Chief Magistrate J A Culver. From 1997 to October 1999 David Landa was the Chief Magistrate.

The current State Coroner of New South Wales is Her Honour Magistrate M S Jerram and the current Chief Industrial Magistrate is His Honour Magistrate G J T Hart.

See also

• Court houses in New South Wales
• The New South Wales Victims Compensation Tribunal

References

• "Local Courts of New South Wales". www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au. 2006. http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lawlink/local_courts/ll_localcourts.nsf/pages/lc_index. Retrieved 12 February 2006.