Attorney thanks Magistrate for service to the ACT

Attorney General, Simon Corbell has today announced that a process is underway to fill a position in the ACT Magistrates Court, following Magistrate Grant Lalor's decision to resign his position.

"Magistrate Lalor has been in his position since February 2004 and has made a significant contribution to the ACT's justice system during this time," Mr Corbell said.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank Magistrate Lalor for his diligent service to the ACT community and acknowledge the important contribution he has made during his eight years as a Magistrate."

Magistrate Lalor has written to the Attorney General advising that his resignation will take effect from 29 May 2012.

Mr Corbell said he planned to use a recent recruitment process that was conducted for the previous vacancies in the Magistrates Court to fill the vacancy created by Magistrate Lalor's resignation.

"The Government undertook a recruitment process in the latter stages of 2011 to fill the position made vacant by the promotion of Lorraine Walker to the Chief Magistrate's position," Mr Corbell said.

"The Government attracted a strong field of applicants in this recent recruitment process and the Government has chosen to use this field of candidates to fill the upcoming vacancy. I intend to announce an appointment to this position in due course."

That process was instituted in late 2011 following the elevation of Magistrate Walker to the position of Chief Magistrate. Magistrate David Mossop was appointed from that process in December 2011.

That process was also used for the recent appointment of Colonel Peter Morrison to replace Magistrate Doogan who retires on 30 March 2012.

Magistrate Lalor was scheduled to retire as a Magistrate when he turns 65 in December 2012.