The Registrars

Pursuant to section 120 of the Supreme Court Act 1970 and section 4 of the Criminal Appeal Act 1912, registrars may be appointed for the Court. There is a Principal Registrar, and registrars for each of the Court of Appeal, Court of Criminal Appeal, and the Common Law and the Equity Divisions of the Supreme Court. Each registrar may exercise the powers of the other registrar as necessary.

The prothonotary is the registrar of the Common Law Division of the Court.

There may also be appointed assistant and deputies to those registrars, as well as other officers (such as Chief Clerks) to assist in the administration of the business of the Court. The Chief Justice may also certify an officer of the Local Court to be a deputy registrar of the Court. The Chief Justice has presently certified the registrars of the Local Courts at Dubbo, Lismore, Wagga Wagga, Newcastle and Wollongong as deputy registrars.

The Registrars are empowered by the Supreme Court Rules 1970 and Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 to perform specified duties, some of which were formerly undertaken by Judges and Associate Judges.

The work of Registrars includes defended applications in relation to security for costs, discovery, interrogatories, provision of particulars, subpoenas and costs (where it is unlikely, in the opinion of the Registrar, that the costs will exceed $20,000). Registrars deal with unopposed applications for removal of cases to or from the District Court, conduct examinations under the Corporations Act 2001 (Commonwealth), Proceeds of Crime Act 1987 (Commonwealth) and other Acts and hear evidence on commission. Applications for orders under many of the provisions of the Corporations Act 2001 (Commonwealth) are also dealt with by Registrars.

In the Court of Appeal the Registrar deals with most interlocutory applications other than applications to stay judgments pending an appeal. The Registrar also case-manages and lists most appeals and applications for leave to appeal, other than those cases that have been referred to a Judge of Appeal for special case management.

The powers which are specifically assigned to them by the Supreme Court Rules permit Registrars to directly assist the Judges in case management. At status conferences the Registrar gives directions to ensure the case is ready for hearing by the compliance date. Registrars also assist the Possession List and Professional Negligence List Judges.

Registrars are able to make costs orders against legal practitioners when appropriate.

Any trial, hearing or matter an Associate Judge may conduct or deal with, may be referred to a Registrar by a Associate Judge by order.

Supreme Court cases may also be mediated by Registrars who are qualified mediators.

Deputy Registrars act, on a rostered basis, as Duty Registrar and in that capacity provide information on the Court's procedures. They also attend to the issue of court orders and writs of execution and other miscellaneous matters.