EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Supreme Court Amendment Rules 2005 (No 1) SL2005-26

Issued by the Authority of the Rule-Making Committee

The Rule-Making Committee (currently comprising the Chief Justice, the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Connolly, the Chief Magistrate and Magistrate Somes) or any 3 or more committee members, 1 of whom must be the Chief Justice and another of whom must be either the Chief Magistrates or Magistrate Somes, may make rules in relation to the practice and procedures of ACT Courts, prescribed tribunals and their registries pursuant to section 7 of the Court Procedures Act 2004.

These Rules are made consequent upon amendments to the Supreme Court Act, 
S 37 J, which provides for the constitution of the Court of Appeal by a single judge in specified matters.

In particular these rules detail the particular reasons for an application relating to the dismissal of an appeal, a rule making power contained in S 37 J (1)(h).  The rules also extend the jurisdiction and powers of the Court of Appeal which may be exercised by a single judge to appeals from the Registrar’s decision to give or refuse leave to appeal out of time in relation to a conviction or sentence.