NSW’S chief magistrate, Judge Graeme Henson, has listened to concerns about lengthening delays for the listing of hearing matters at Albury Local Court.
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Mr Henson has written to magistrate Tony Murray offering almost three weeks of additional court time at Albury with the allocation of a second magistrate in March, May and July.
The second magistrate will sit in Albury for four days in March, five days in May and five days in July.
The offer comes after solicitors and visiting magistrates raised the issue of the delays earlier this month.
It’s a welcome outcome that will help ease the listing backlog, but as Labor candidate for Albury, Ross Jackson has said, it is only a temporary solution.
Previously Albury has had a second magistrate for at least 20 weeks each year to ensure defended hearings could be listed in a timely manner without lengthy waits.
But this is at least a step in the right direction and will help improve the situation.
Hopefully, Mr Henson and the Attorney-General’s office continue to monitor listings in Albury to ensure any further delays can be quickly addressed and rectified.
