Judging in the Tropics

At the time of my swearing in I recounted with delightful anticipation my intention to visit the iconic beauty spots of the reef, rainforests and savannah lands of Far North Queensland. The anticipation remains and I am sure the visits will happen some day. Judging in the North has been, and continues to be, a delightful experience and it is not limited to the legal environment.

One of the joys of being a regional judge is the interaction in community activities. From the time of my arrival in Cairns my name must have been placed on the list of persons invited to every community function. Representing the courts on such occasions I regard as an important opportunity to maintain the community’s awareness of the judiciary. But the judging has extended well beyond the usual student moots to include judging winners of awards for bravery, for contributions to the arts, to sports and to welfare. I have been an official opener of buildings, conferences and art exhibitions and an enthusiastic participant at military parades and the very symbolic decommissioning of Navy vessels.

Being a regional judge inevitably results in closer contact with members of the legal profession. In this connection I do my best to follow the fine example set by the Hon. Alan Demack during my days at the Bar in Rockhampton. I believe this assists in the orderly dispatch of the Courts’ business and it has helped me to appreciate not only the high levels of competence within the profession but also the practitioners engagement with the community.

Travelling with the Court has taken me from the mineral rich, spinifex country of Mount Isa to turquoise seas around the islands of the Torres Strait. It has been a judicial journey of great joy and of personal enlightenment.

Judge Sarah Bradley, District Court

Perhaps it is the life-giving heat and humidity and the resulting wild and colourful greenery. Perhaps it is the rainforest-covered mountains or the sparkling reefs just off-shore. Perhaps it is the excitement of vibrant Indigenous art and music. Perhaps it is the welcome spin-off from living in a tourist town of world class restaurants and brilliant coffee shops where competition keeps the prices reasonable and rivalry keeps the menus exciting.

Or maybe it is the lavish court house with ocean, city or mountain views from every room. Or the bonhomie of Jones J down the corridor or Everson DCJ next door or the genial magistrates on the floor below.

But maybe it is just the pleasure of the talent and friendliness of the local bar and profession who make such welcome appearances before you every day. Or the variety of defendants, litigants and jurors who make life on the bench so interesting.

Or the culprit may simply be that tropical air and that certain laissez faire view of life that touches anyone resident north of the Tropic of Capricorn.

Whatever the reason, a stint of judging in the tropics is good for the soul and will gladden the heart.

Judge William Everson, District Court

One of the many pleasures of taking up my appointment in Cairns has been presiding as the Cairns Planning and Environment Court Judge. It is no secret that it is the busiest P&E Court outside of South-East Queensland. It has only one resident judge but thanks to the quality of the local practitioners – both barristers and solicitors, it is achieving efficiencies of which others are most envious. The Cairns practitioners are to be commended for their knowledge of this specialist area of the law, their enthusiasm, the competence and their friendliness.

Federal Magistrate Willis

Having only been judging in the North for six months, I am probably still in the honeymoon phase of my judicial career, though the litigants appearing before me in the Federal Magistrates Court are definitely over their honeymoon period.

Being at the Cairns Bar for 15 years has equipped me well for dealing with a diversity of litigants, a myriad of cultures, travelling to other regional centres and the wet season. My registry is couple of thousand kilometres from the FMC in Brisbane. Telephone and video appearances are an everyday event sometimes traversing two or three states. I am fortunate to have the friendship of other judicial officers in Cairns, visiting Family Court judges and an excellent registry staff.

The  regional solicitors and barristers who appear before me operate with courtesy and professionalism. I have found that practising law in the Far North is characterised by co-operation between the profession and the bench and life long friendships.

From my chambers and courtroom I have a view that captures the essence of Cairns:  the busy Trinity Inlet with the daily flow of patrol boats, ships, yachts, sea planes, helicopters and catamarans heading for the reef; the hills of Yarrabah through the heat haze with colours changing throughout the day; the cityscape of Cairns with tropical buildings beside fig and palm trees.

Not that we in the north are prone to bragging about our tropical delights.  I know I am the envy of many working in these beautiful surroundings.  Don’t just think about it, come north and try it for yourself.