Report on Brisbane transfers from Family Court to Federal Magistrates Court

Federal Magistrate Michael Baumann has recently written to the legal profession about a Family Court callover which was used to identify many outstanding matters in Brisbane, many of which were transferred to the Federal Magistrtates Court:

Dear Geoff (Family Law Section); Julie (QLS) and Nicky (FLPA),

With the approval of the CFM I provide each of you with a brief report on the effect of the Joint callover from this Court’s perspective. You may circulate this to members of your organisations as, and if, you wish to do so.

“During the week of 19 February 2007, a joint callover was conducted in Brisbane of matters identified by the FCofA, as part of their pending trial list. Over 300 matters were identified as appropriate for the callover and at the completion of the callover, 170 matters had been transferred to the FMCofA for further determination.

Upon review by this Court, not all matters transferred were ready for or needed a final hearing immediately, however of the 170 matters transferred, 106 matters (62%) were finalised by 30 June 2007 – or within 4 months of transfer. It is anticipated that the remaining 64 matters transferred via the callover will be finalised by 31 December 2007 – with 50% completed by 31 August 2007 or within 6 months of transfer.

The 170 matters transferred via the joint callover were additional to a further 735 matters transferred to the FMCofA by the FCofA in the Brisbane registry for the 12 months ended 30 June 2007”

regards,
Michael Baumann FM”