| Magistrates Court of Queensland | |
|---|---|
 | |
 The Brisbane Magistrates Court building, a location of the Magistrates Court | |
| Jurisdiction |  Queensland |
| Location | 130 locations across Queensland |
| Composition method | Vice-regal appointment upon nomination by the Premier following the advice of the Attorney-General and Cabinet |
| Authorised by | Queensland Parliament via the: Magistrates Courts Act 1921 (QLD) |
| Appeals to | District Court of Queensland |
| Judge term length | Mandatory retirement by age 70 |
| Website | www.courts.qld.gov.au |
| Chief Magistrate of Queensland | |
| Currently | Judge Janelle Brassington [1] |
| Since | 8 July 2022 |
| Deputy Chief Magistrate of Queensland | |
| Currently | Anthony Gett & Stephen Courtney [2] |
| Queensland Court Hierarchy |
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| Federal Law Courts |
| Queensland Law Courts |
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| Tribunals |
The Magistrates Court of Queensland is the lowest court in the court hierarchy of Queensland, Australia.[3] All criminal proceedings in Queensland begin in the Magistrates Court, with minor offences being dealt with summarily, and more serious ones being referred to a higher court on the strength of evidence.[3] Most criminal cases are first heard in the Magistrates Court, as are most civil cases. The Magistrates Court hears approximately 95% of all court cases in Queensland.[4]
Decisions made by the Magistrates Court may be heard on appeal to the District Court of Queensland. The Magistrates Court does not have an appellate jurisdiction.
The Chief Magistrate of Queensland, since 2022, is Judge Janelle Brassington.[1]
- ^ a b "New Chief Magistrate and Magistrate appointed". 4 July 2019. Retrieved 24 February 2020.//
- ^ "Magistrates in Queensland". 24 February 2020. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
- ^ a b "Magistrates Courts". Department of Justice and Attorney-General (Queensland). Government of Queensland. 3 August 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
- ^ "About Magistrates Courts". Courts. Queensland Government. 5 November 2013. Retrieved 4 August 2016.