New laws aiming to speed up work in multiple courts, is coming into force today

The Judicature Timeliness Legislation Amendment Bill passed in December last year and will lift the cap on High Court Judges from 55 to 60.

New judges will also be able to take office up to three months before another retires.

Other procedural amendments include helping District Court Judges to manage multiple charges against a single defendant at the pre-trial stage.

Coroners will also be able to close inquiries following new information or a change in circumstance.

The changes should also deal with cases of abuse of the court process.