ACT Chief Justice calls for pay increase for Supreme Court Master

Justifying the potential change, Chief Justice Helen Murrell said Master David Mossop was not paid properly for having more responsibility for civil matters than people in an equivalent position in other jurisdictions.

"The efficient operation of the civil jurisdiction in the ACT is largely dependent upon the Master," Chief Justice Murrell said.

"The remuneration that is currently paid to the ACT Master sits close to the bottom of the range paid to equivalent Supreme Court judicial officers in the other states and territories."

The submission suggests his salary rise from $350,668 to $371,295, or 90 per cent of a Supreme Court judge.

Chief Justice Murrell has previously raised concerns that the number of civil cases could overwhelm the judiciary and there may be little time to hear the cases next year.

On her swearing-in, she vowed to cut delays in the Supreme Court.

ACT magistrates are also seeking a pay rise of 1 per cent, from 79 to 80 per cent of a Supreme Court judge. They currently earn $325,915 a year after receiving a 12 per cent rise the year before.

Chief Magistrate Lorraine Walker said applying the principle of relativity between ACT Supreme Court judges and magistrates "offers a formalised recognition of the structure of the judicial hierarchy" as well as a "simple and practical basis for the calculation of remuneration".

Chief Magistrate Walker argued magistrates' pay was below that received in other jurisdictions, and they had extra responsibilities.

"The 80 per cent level, we submit, better reflects parity with the interstate position and relativity within this jurisdiction having regard to the absence of an intermediate court," Chief Magistrate Walker said.

Chief Magistrate Walker did not recommend changes to her own and the special magistrates salary.

The ACT Remuneration Tribunal is currently considering submissions on the salaries of key judicial officers.