New Leadership Roles and Administrative Powers for the District Court
District Court Legislation Amendment Bill 2025
Legislative Assembly
Legislative Council
Assent
Introduced by: Michael Daley MP (ALP); The Hon Daniel Mookhey MLC (ALP)
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
The Debate
What different members said when this bill was debated:
Susan Carter LIB
“On behalf of the Opposition I contribute to debate on the District Court Legislation Amendment Bill 2025. The bill contains predominantly administrative matters for the Government to enact in consultation with the leadership of the District Court.”
Sue Higginson GRN
“I contribute to debate on behalf of The Greens to indicate that we do not oppose the District Court Legislation Amendment Bill 2025. The bill amends the District Court Act and will establish the office of deputy chief judge. It will confer new direction‑making powers on the Chief Judge and the deputy chief judges to ensure orderly and expeditious case management.”
Cameron Murphy ALP
“I speak in support of the District Court Legislation Amendment Bill 2025. The bill enjoys broad support across the legal community. While these important and sensible steps are relatively minor, they are also quite significant reforms that will improve the functioning of the District Court. The District Court is incredibly impressive.”
Emily Suvaal ALP
“The bill will ensure that the District Court is properly supported to administer justice for the people of New South Wales in the face of increasing demands, growing complexity and specialisation of its work. Our District Court, like all of our courts and tribunals in New South Wales, does incredible work every day for our community.”
News articles and press releases
District Court Legislation Amendment Bill 2025
Dr HUGH McDERMOTT, Member for Prospect — 2025-06-04
The bill consists of three policy reforms that will achieve this. Firstly, the bill will establish the office of Deputy Chief Judge of the District Court, with the intention that two existing judges of the court will initially be appointed to this office. Holders of this office will support the Chief Judge to manage the varied and complex workload of the court. Secondly, it will confer a power onto the Chief Judge and the deputy chief judges to direct other judges to preside over specific matters in specific locations or to exercise certain functions.