The NT Government has announced the appointment of Giles O’Brien-Hartcher and Steven Ledek as ongoing judges of the Northern Territory Local Court.
Mr Ledek commenced yesterday, with Mr O’Brien-Hartcher to start on 8 September.
Two Acting Judges – Sally Ozolins and Jonathan Bortoli – have also been appointed to the Local Court for a six-month period to March 2026.
With these appointments, the Northern Territory now has the largest judicial complement in its history at 19 – strengthening the courts to meet the demand created by the CLP Government’s stronger laws, said Attorney-General Marie-Clare Boothby.
“I have appointed these judges to meet the increasing demands on the justice system to urgently get to work and start delivering for the Territory,” said Ms Boothby.
“The courts have asked, demands have risen, and our government have answered with 4 judges – they are urgently needed to start reducing the pressure, and I expect they will.”
Ms Boothby said the new judges will give courts the capacity to match the CLP Government’s stronger laws and deliver faster, fairer justice for victims.
“Our government has delivered the strongest bail laws in the nation to keep violent offenders off the streets and put victims first.”
“We are serious about reforming the justice system – investing in more judges, more prosecutors and better court resources to reduce delays, clear backlogs and meet community expectations,” she said.
