TLG - Media, page-16657

@SSkim

@acwbagnall

The reason for the case not yet being referred to a Justice:

Reliable sources, including The Mining Inspectorate that's been in contact with the court, have confirmed what @Lucky Swede stated. The Judicial Secretary handling Talga's case has been on long-term sick leave.

What does the Judicial Secretary do?

"Judicial secretaries are responsible for preparing and presenting cases. They present legal investigations and assessments of appeals and applications, as well as offer reasoned proposals for solutions to the justice(s) who will decide the matter."

Without a prepared case, the Justice cannot review it.

There are only approximately 30 judicial secretaries working at the Supreme Court, and even fewer that specialise in environmental law (which is why our case was in "Special" JS 35). If there is some long-term health issue that has arisen, then replacing a secretary could be a challenge.

Fortunately, today when I asked directly about this issue and whether or not a replacement has been found, I was told by the Supreme Court clerk:

"The case is currently being handled by a judicial secretary in the land and environmental courts."

As no leave to appeal has been granted, he means Unit 2, R 23, which is the department at the Supreme Court that handles Land and Environmental Court cases. This is where we've seen the case redistributed to on Sept 6.

If what this clerk states is accurate, then a replacement has been found and the judicial secretary can prepare and then present the case to the Justice.