Yes, Your Honour: Labor bill for magistrates to be called judges featuring former Southern Cross University Dean of Law and former NSW magistrate David Heilpern

The NSW government has introduced a bill to parliament allowing Local Court magistrates to be known as judges.

The government says the title of magistrate stems from an era where judicial officers were appointed from the ranks of public servants and sat in the Court of Petty Sessions but that magistrates have been required to hold legal qualifications since 1955.

So, what’s the difference between judges and magistrates in NSW anyway these days?

Reporter: Mia Armitage

PIC: Lismore Local Court (supplied)