The Registrars

Pursuant to section 120 of the Supreme Court Act 1970 the Governor may appoint Registrars of the Court of Appeal and of each Division and such other officers as necessary. In the interest of flexibility, however, they are also authorised to exercise the powers of any other Registrar as required.

As at 31 December 2001 the Principal Registrar, Prothonotary, Registrars and Deputy Registrars were:

Principal Registrar
Nerida Ann Johnston

Prothonotary
Steven James Jupp

Registrar of the Court of Criminal Appeal
Peter John Schell

Registrar of the Court of Appeal
Edward Charles Irwin

Registrar in Equity
Grahame James Berecry

Registrar
Jonathan Edward Finlay (Probate)

Assistant Registrar, Common Law
Bruce Russell Howe

Senior Deputy Registrars
Deborah Valerie Robinson
Paul Studdert

Deputy Registrars
Emoke Ildiko Durkin
Geoffrey Noel Haggett
Bhaskari Siva
Phillippa Claire Wearne
Suzin Yoo
Antoinette Younes.

The Registrars are empowered by the Supreme Court Rules to perform specified duties, some of which were formerly undertaken by Judges and Masters.

The work of Registrars includes defended applications in relation to security for costs, discovery, interrogatories, provision of particulars, subpoenas and party 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 matters 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 matters that have been referred to a Judge of Appeal for special case management.

The duties of the Registrars in connection with the Court of Criminal Appeal and Equity Division are discussed elsewhere in this Review.
The powers which are specifically assigned to them by the Supreme Court Rules permit Registrars to directly assist the Judges in case management. In the Differential Case Management system the Registrars are involved in conducting status conferences and final conferences. At status conferences the Registrar gives directions to ensure the matter is ready for hearing by the compliance date. Registrars also assist the Possession List and Professional Negligence List Judges.

Registrars are now able to make costs orders against legal practitioners when appropriate.
Any trial, hearing or matter a Master may conduct or deal with may be referred to a Registrar by a Master by order.

Supreme Court matters may also be mediated by Registrars who are qualified mediators. As at 31 December 2001 there were seven Registrars qualified as 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.