Sitting as a Magistrate in NT Magistrates Courts by Vince Luppino, Darwin Magistrates Court

• Outlined the basic info environment:

85% Criminal.

no District court in NT - this work handled by Mags court.

jurisdiction covers vast area with remote and tiny communities - must fly between locations.

circuit courts sit 1 day per month (or up to 4 days) in temporary accommodations.

Only 22 Acts passed by NT government in 2009.

• Outlined the basic info needs of the judiciary:

legislation most needed resource.

current legislation, repealed legislation and point in time legislation.

Need to know what legislation and penalties where in force at the time of the offence.

• History of meeting info need:
• Hard copy legislation received via Post and marked up by hand to reflect amendments.
• Got a computer in the court with internet - Downloaded latest version of legislation and printed in hard copy and accessed via lever Arch files.
• In those days the practice was to carry client files and the most recent copies of legislation from Darwin to the circuit courts, which was dangerous and expensive.
• 15 pieces of legislation accounted for 90% of what he'd need.
• Developed Lotus Notes database of Current and historical acts - included every reprint and amendment act.
• Now had laptop for circuit courts - stored client files, stored copy of latest version of LN database.
• This system worked well for some time.
• Modern technology and modern mobile phone coverage has enabled Government LAN via a laptop, using a mobile broadband rated modem.
• Moved to a web-based system via Outlook and IE
• Problems with synchronisation because using older version of IE and 2003.
• Now online to www via modem at circuit courts.
• This combination allows Magistrates to have remote access to all online subscription and internet based resources at all circuit court locations, including remote communities, as are available in chambers.