Acting judges appointed as 'blitz' gets underway

Attorney General, Simon Corbell, has today announced the appointment of two new acting judges for the ACT Supreme Court who will assist in the current blitz on the backlog of cases in the court.

Late last year the Government announced that it had allocated more than $670,000 to assist the Supreme Court in undertaking a ‘blitz' on the current backlog of cases.

"I am pleased to welcome Acting Justice Margaret Sidis, and Acting Justice John Nield to the ACT Supreme Court, and trust they will provide a good level of assistance to the full time bench in clearing the backlog in the court," Mr Corbell said.

Mr Corbell said Acting Justices Nield and Sidis bring with them significant expertise that equips them well to serve the people of the ACT during their appointments. Both Justice's will sit for 12 weeks, in two six week blocks.

Acting Justice Nield served as a New South Wales District Court Judge since 1988, until retiring in 2009. Acting Justice Nield was previously appointed to the ACT Supreme Court as an acting judge in 2010.

Acting Justice Margaret Sidis is currently a judge of the NSW District Court, and is retiring from that position prior to commencing as an acting judge of the ACT Supreme Court.

"I welcome Acting Justice John Nield and ActingJusticeMargaretSidis to the ACT legal profession and wish them well in their duties as acting judges," Mr Corbell concluded.

Acting Justice Nield and Acting Justice Sidis will commence sitting in the Supreme Court in April2012, coinciding with the commencement of the first six week ‘blitz' period.