There is a need for an in-depth review of the Australian Justice System for the following reasons:
(1) All Magistrates and Judges are not equipped with the same degree of competence as is evident by the number of successful appeals.
(2) Not all Solicitors and Barristers possess the knowledge and expertise to defend a case, yet accept work knowing they are out of their depth. This is evident by the large number of matters dismissed.
(3) The extremely high cost of litigation excludes middle class Australians from the benefit of the Court.
I recently applied to the Supreme Court to rule on a matter concerning a taxi co-operative. After many costly adjournments brought about by the other party (a deliberate tactic to cause me financial hardship) the matter was set down for hearing in the Equity Division of the NSW Supreme Court. In order to avoid scrutiny before the Court, the Co-operative went into voluntary liquidation, just two days before the matter was to be heard, leaving me $100,000 out of pocket. This should not have been allowed to happen, this was not justice.
Ron Hatton,
Bogangar NSW
