The recently created North West Circuit court is getting a new Magistrate from 13 October 2025.

The North West Circuit was established in March 2025, and includes Coonamble, Bourke, Brewarrina, Walgett and Lightning Ridge.

"The new North West Circuit was established to create a full time Circuit in the area, and to appoint a Magistrate to this Circuit who would live in the area and become familiar with the local communities," Local Court of NSW Chief Magistrate Judge Michael Allen said.

The court was temporarily being presided over by Magistrate Margaret Quinn and Magistrate Fiona Toose.

Magistrate Quinn will continue to cover weeks 2 and 4 of the North West circuit, and Magistrate Fiona Toose will cover week 1 and 3, until the new Magistrate Shawn Mortimer starts in October.

Walgett has the most sitting days in the monthly rotation with seven, followed by Bourke with five days. Coonamble has three sitting days.

Magistrate Mortimer will preside over each local court, which lists over 100 criminal cases in a sitting week, including matters involving domestic violence and children.

Magistrate Mortimer was admitted as a solicitor in 2007, and began his career as a junior criminal defence lawyer with the Aboriginal Legal Service in Dubbo in 2008.

In 2013 he was awarded Specialist Accreditation in Criminal Law by the Law Society of NSW. Between 2022 and 2024, he was Principal Solicitor of Criminal Practice for the ALS's criminal law services for New South Wales.

Chief Magistrate Judge Michael Allen called for expressions of interest from all Magistrates for appointment to the North West Circuit. Magistrate Mortimer was selected from a number of Magistrates who expressed interest, because of his extensive experience working in legal practice in western and south-western NSW.

He has been appointed for a minimum of two years in the role.

The Department of Communities and Justice advised that the Local Court frequently reviews sitting arrangements to ensure the efficient allocation of resources.

Coonamble has been moved from the Gunnedah Circuit to the North West Circuit, since its creation in March.

No other changes have been made to the Circuit.