JUSTICE GRIDLOCK

EXCLUSIVE Games traffic fears force courts to close

JUSTICE will grind to a halt in Southport during the Commonwealth Games with courts running on a reduced schedule, law firms forced to close and reporting to police for bail being almost impossible.

Concerns about traffic congestion have led to Southport Magistrates Court being reduced to a domestic violence court and an arrest court, while two Southport District Court judges will travel to Brisbane to preside over Gold Coast matters, forcing lawyers and their clients to hit the M1.

JUSTICE will grind to a halt in Southport during the Commonwealth Games with courts running a slashed schedule, law firms forced to close and bail reporting up in the air.

Queensland’s second busiest courthouse will almost shut down during the Games to alleviate traffic congestion in Southport.

Between April 3 and 15 the Southport Magistrates Court will be reduced from up to 10 operating courts to a domestic violence court and an arrest court.

Two Southport District Court judges will travel to Brisbane from March 26 to April 6 to preside over Gold Coast matters, forcing lawyers and their clients to also hit the M1.

Gold Coast law firms have told the Bulletin that for the Games their practices will either close or move to Brisbane.

Gatenby Criminal Law director and defence lawyer Michael Gatenby said they would shut their Coomera office.

“I don’t know how practical it is going to be to get to Brisbane with the M1 as well,” he said.

Mr Gatenby said he was also still unsure how the road closures would affect bail reporting conditions as road closures, particularly around Southport, Broadbeach and Coomera stations, would make it almost impossible for clients to report as scheduled.

“We are in the process of writing to the officer-incharge of the station to see what arrangements have been put in place,” Mr Gatenby said.

JUSTICE DELAYED IS JUSTICE DENIED LNP COMMONWEALTH GAMES SPOKESMAN JOHN-PAUL LANGBROEK

Queensland Law Society deputy president and Potts Lawyers director Bill Potts called for alternative arrangements.

“Reporting conditions are important but during this period they could allow people to report by some other means,” he said.

Mr Potts said the court reduction would cause pain in Southport for months.

“The magistrates are already working extraordinarily hard to progress matters but this backlog created during the Games will have an effect for some time,” he said.

LNP Commonwealth Games spokesman JohnPaul Langbroek said it was another case of the Gold Coast being drip-fed information about the Games.

“Justice delayed is justice denied,” he said.

“Of course it is going to slow justice which is frustrating when it could have been arranged better.”

The Office of the Chief Magistrate spokesman said there was a plan. “Hearing dates will be monitored and any extra resources that are necessary will be provided,” he said.

The Office of the Chief Judge spokesman said: “Matters from Southport can be conveniently dealt with in Brisbane during that period exactly as in court vacation times.”

The Southport Court registry will remain open during the Games period.

A spokeswoman for Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath referred to the statement from the court.

A Queensland Police spokesman was unable to provide a response by time of print last night.