District Court Legal Practitioner Information Session

The District Court invites Legal Practitioners to attend an information session on the introduction of Stream 2 of the Sexual Offence Expert Evidence Panel Pilot, and an update on the Sexual Violence Case Management Pilot marking 12 months since commencement of District Court Practice Direction 3 of 2024. The District Court acknowledges October as Sexual Violence Awareness Month in Queensland and reaffirms our commitment to ongoing reform to improve sexual violence offence proceedings for all court users.

Overview of the session:

Part 1: Stream 2 Sexual Offence Expert Evidence Panel Pilot

The Sexual Offence Expert Evidence Panel (the Panel) commenced in Brisbane and Townsville in February 2025, responding to recommendations of the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce, Hear her voice Report Two. Stream 2 expands the functions of the Panel to the provision of expert evidence about the nature of sexual offences and the social, psychological, and cultural factors that may affect the behaviour of a complainant in a sexual offence proceeding (counterintuitive expert evidence). Stream 2 will commence operation on 20 September 2025.

The session will cover relevant legislative amendments to Part 6B, Division 4 of the Evidence Act 1977 made by the Criminal Justice Legislation (Sexual Violence and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2024 and provide an overview of the pilot including key objectives, eligibility, and information about the referral process.

Part 2: Sexual Violence Case Management Pilot

The Sexual Violence Case Management Pilot commenced in the District Court in Brisbane and Ipswich on 2 September 2024. This session will provide an update on the operations of the Pilot including a brief overview of the court’s expectations of parties, emerging data trends, observations of how the list is working in practice and insights around Mediated Case Conferencing.

Information Session Details:

Speakers: His Honour Chief Judge Brian Devereaux SC, Case Conference Registrar Alexis Oxley and program team members

Date: Tuesday 7th October 2025

Time: The venue will open at 4:30pm for a 5:00pm start and will close at 6:30pm

Location: Banco Court, Level 3, QEII Courts of Law Complex, 415 George Street, Brisbane

Livestream: Attendees participating online will receive a link via email to join, prior to the session  

Catering: Light refreshments will be provided for those attending in person

CPD: Attendees may consider claiming 1.5 CPD points at the completion of the session

RSVP: Please register for the event by COB Monday 6th October 2025

Practitioners are encouraged to consider providing questions on notice to the program teams prior to the session. Questions may be submitted when completing registration or by emailing SV.Case.Reform@justice.qld.gov.au.

For security purposes, including after-hours access to the QEII Courts of Law complex, you must register your attendance by selecting ‘Register’ (FREE). You must register whether attending in person or viewing the livestream to receive access to the link. If attending in person, please bring a valid photo ID for entry.

A separate session on Stream 2 of the Panel will be held in Townsville from 3:30pm on 16th October 2025. To register for this event please click here.

You may also be interested to review the previous information sessions provided by the District Court in relation to Stream 1 of the Sexual Offence Expert Evidence Panel and introduction of the Sexual Violence Case Management Pilot.

We look forward to your participation and encourage you to share this invitation with your networks.