SITTINGS might cease at Kogarah Local Court indefinitely if the Attorney General accepts a cost-cutting proposal from the chief magistrate.
A spokesman for the Attorney General Greg Smith, said chief magistrate Graeme Henson made proposals based on an assumption that this process would lead to a reduction in the number of magistrates.
"The Attorney General has made clear that not filling vacant magistrates' positions is a last resort option," the spokesman said.
"The Attorney General has told the chief magistrate he will consider any other proposals that will achieve cost savings."
NSW budget papers show a drop in funding for court services from $450 million, to $436 million.
St George-Sutherland Law Society president Peter Fowler said local legal professionals were disappointed about the drop in funding for local courts. It could result in a reduction in magistrates over the next three years, including the proposed indefinite suspension of sittings at Kogarah Local Court.
Mr Fowler said sittings could cease from 2015.
"Matters which would usually be dealt with by Kogarah Local Court will need to be dealt with at either Sutherland Local Court or in the Downing Centre," he said. "This will result in inconvenience and delays to the people in the St George area with likely delays flowing onto the Sutherland and Downing Centre courts.
"The local courts are the coalface of our judicial system and speedy access to justice is vital to all users of the court system, both in the criminal and civil jurisdictions."
Shadow attorney general Paul Lynch said shutting Kogarah Local Court would be a bad move.
"As well as closing courts, this approach will lead to a blow-out in court lists. That's bad for parties, witnesses and victims."
What do you think of the proposal to suspend sittings at Kogarah Court?
