Reserved judgments
Supreme Court protocol
The Judges of the Supreme Court maintain a protocol that where a judgment has been reserved, the judgment should usually be delivered within three months of the hearing conclusion or the last receipt of submissions (excluding court vacation periods).
Where there is concern about delay in the delivery of a judgment, a party or a party’s legal representative may contact the President of the Queensland Law Society via the QLS’ delayed judgments service. A party’s legal representative may also contact the President of the Bar Association of Queensland.
The President may then approach the Chief Justice to enquire when the judgment delivery may occur. They will not disclose the identity of the party initiating the approach.
The Chief Justice will consult with the Judge concerned and notify the President who, in turn, will notify the parties or the legal representatives as to when the judgment may be expected.
A concern of this nature may also be raised directly by letter addressed to the Chief Justice. If the letter is to be sent to the Chief Justice, as with all correspondence with the Court, all parties to the proceeding should be supplied with a copy.
District Court protocol
The Judges of the District Court maintain a protocol that where a judgment has been reserved, the judgment should usually be delivered within three months of the hearing conclusion or the last receipt of submissions (excluding court vacation periods).
Where there is concern about delay in the delivery of a judgment, a party or a party’s legal representative may contact the President of the Queensland Law Society via the QLS’ delayed judgments service. A party’s legal representative may also contact the President of the Bar Association of Queensland.
The President may then approach the Chief Judge to enquire when the judgment delivery may occur. They will not disclose the identity of the party initiating the approach.
The Chief Judge will consult with the Judge concerned and notify the President who, in turn, will notify the parties or the legal representatives as to when the judgment may be expected.
A concern of this nature may also be raised directly by letter addressed to the Chief Judge. If the letter is to be sent to the Chief Judge, as with all correspondence with the Court, all parties to the proceeding should be supplied with a copy.