A fifth permanent judge is expected to be appointed to the ACT Supreme Court by the end of June, the government has revealed while marking the start of construction on the new courts precinct.
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A sod-turning ceremony on Monday morning signalled the beginning of construction on the major upgrade to the ACT's ageing court infrastructure, a $150 million project relying on a public-private partnership between the government and a consortium of firms.
The major project is expected to see the long out-of-date ACT Supreme Court building revamped, and joined with the Magistrates and Children's Courts building.
The final product is expected to take the form of an environmentally friendly. four-storey complex fronting Vernon Circle, with refurbished court rooms, updated technology, more space, and a better design.
It is hoped the building will meet the ACT's needs for the next 50 years.
Attorney-General Simon Corbell and ACT Supreme Court Chief Justice Helen Murrell were present for the sod-turning ceremony on Monday morning.
Mr Corbell said the upgrade was essential to provide facilities required by the modern court system.
"This building was first built in the early 1960s," he said.
"The administration of justice now requires a modern, purpose-built facility to meet the needs of the city for the next 50 years,"
"This building has capacity for growth, provides new court rooms with modern facilities, lots of natural light and sustainable performance, and that's very important for such an important civic building."
Mr Corbell was also quizzed about the looming appointment of the fifth permanent judge for the ACT Supreme Court.
The legal fraternity has pushed hard for the appointment, saying the workload currently faced by the ACT's four full-time judges is overwhelming, and contributing to delays.
After significant resistance to the idea, the government announced it would fund a fifth permanent judge last year.
Mr Corbell said the appointment was likely to be made so that the judge could commence sittings in the new financial year.
He said a shortlist of candidates had been created, but gave no indication of when a decision would be made.
"The government will make an appointment so that the fifth resident judge can commence sitting at the beginning of the next financial year," Mr Corbell said.
Chief Justice Murrell also spoke at the ceremony, saying the design of the new building would value the past, but look confidently to the future.
She said the new precinct would maintain a strong link to the ACT's judicial and architectural heritage, while meeting Walter Burley Griffin's vision of Canberra.
Chief Justice Murrell said that, unlike the old building, the new would allow light and landscape to permeate all areas.
She said such a design would speak to the transparency of justice.
