Supreme Court: New Commercial Court

New Commercial Court set to Commence

From 1 January 2009, there will be a new Commercial Court within the Commercial and Equity Division of the Supreme Court.

The Commercial Court will be constituted by a specialist team of judges and associate judges to deal with commercial proceedings and corporations cases and the Court is separated into five different Lists. An objective of the practice in the Commercial Court will be its flexibility and directions hearings will be specifically tailored or varied to suit the management which is appropriate to certain disputes. The primary objective is to ensure that commercial disputes are determined in a just and efficient manner and that the cost and work involved in the procedures which are adopted will be proportionate to the issues and the amount of the claim for that particular matter.

When a matter is entered into the Commercial Court once proceedings are initially issued, a date will be given for a directions hearing before the relevant List Judge. Further directions hearings and applications will be heard by the List Judge or by the Associate Judge as directed by the Judge in charge of the relevant List. If a party needs an urgent application to be issued before a proceeding is commenced, should apply to the Associate to List A Judge, Justice Pagone, for an appointment.

Corporations cases will be managed according to the current practice which is adopted for those types of matters. Existing corporations cases will be allocated to the List which is managed by Justice Robson and Associate Judges Efthim and Gardiner.