Justice (Delegated Legislation) Act 2003
An Act to amend the Admission to Courts Act 1916 , Coroners Act 1995 , Justices Act 1959 , Magistrates Court Act 1987 , Magistrates Court (Administrative Appeals Division) Act 2001 , Magistrates Court (Children's Division) Act 1998 , Magistrates Court (Civil Division) Act 1992 , Mineral Resources Development Act 1995 and Records of Offences (Access) Act 1981
[Royal Assent 16 April 2003]
Be it enacted by His Excellency the Governor of Tasmania, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council and House of Assembly, in Parliament assembled, as follows:
PART 1Preliminary1Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Justice (Delegated Legislation) Act 2003 . 2CommencementThe provisions of this Act commence on a day or days to be proclaimed. PART 2Admission to Courts Act 1916 Amended3Principal ActIn this Part, the Admission to Courts Act 1916 is referred to as the Principal Act. 4Section 1A amended (Interpretation) Section 1A of the Principal Act is amended as follows: (a) by inserting the following definition after the definition of court : lower courts means lower courts within the meaning of the Magistrates Court Act 1987 ; (b) by omitting "a "lower court", within the meaning of the Magistrates Court Act 1987 " from paragraph (b) of the definition of registrar and substituting "lower courts". 5Section 2 amended (Regulations) Section 2 of the Principal Act is amended as follows: (a) by omitting from subsection (1) "on the recommendation of the judges" and substituting "on the recommendation of the judges as regards the Supreme Court or the magistrates as regards lower courts"; (b) by omitting from subsection (1)(a) "any court" and substituting "courts"; (c) by omitting from subsection (1)(b) "any court" and substituting "courts"; (d) by omitting from subsection (1)(c) "any court" and substituting "courts"; (e) by omitting from subsection (1)(d) "any court" and substituting "courts"; (f) by inserting the following subsections after subsection (3) : (3A) Regulations made under this section may – (a) authorise any matter to be determined, applied or regulated by – (i) in the case of regulations for the Supreme Court, the Chief Justice or another person specified in the regulations; and (ii) in the case of regulations for a lower court, the Chief Magistrate or another person, or a body, specified in the regulations; and (b) provide for the appointment of persons to give directions to authorized officers and the giving of those directions. (3B) Regulations made under this section for any court may contain provisions of a savings or transitional nature consequent on the enactment of the Justice (Delegated Legislation) Act 2003 . (3C) A provision referred to in subsection (3B) may, if the regulations so provide, take effect on the day on which Part 2 of the Justice (Delegated Legislation) Act 2003 commences or a later day. 6Section 7 insertedAfter section 6 of the Principal Act , the following section is inserted: 7Transition to new regulations (1) In this section – new regulations means regulations made under this Act as amended by the Transition Act; old regulations means the regulations in force under this Act immediately before the transition day (the " Admission to Courts Regulations 1995 "); Transition Act means the Justice (Delegated Legislation) Act 2003 ; transition day means the day on which Part 2 of the Transition Act commences. (2) Notwithstanding the amendments made to this Act by Part 2 of the Transition Act – (a) the old regulations continue in force on and after the transition day, and may be amended as if the Transition Act had not been enacted, until new regulations first take effect; and (b) if the first new regulations to take effect do not apply to a particular court, the old regulations continue in force in their application to that court, and may be amended accordingly by the Governor (on the recommendation of the judges) as if the Transition Act had not been enacted, until new regulations applying to that court take effect. (3) The Governor, on the recommendation of the judges, may rescind the old regulations. PART 3Coroners Act 1995 Amended7Principal ActIn this Part, the Coroners Act 1995 is referred to as the Principal Act. 8Section 3 amended (Interpretation) Section 3 of the Principal Act is amended as follows: (a) by inserting the following definition after the definition of investigation : Magistrates Rule Committee means the committee referred to in section 15AC of the Magistrates Court Act 1987 ; (b) by inserting the following definition after the definition of police officer : prescribed means prescribed by the rules referred to in section 69A ; (c) by inserting the following definition after the definition of prison officer : regulations means regulations made and in force under this Act; 9Section 10 amended (Appointment, &c., of coroners) Section 10(3) of the Principal Act is amended by omitting "prescribed." and substituting "prescribed by the regulations.". 10Section 13 amended (Delegation by coroner) Section 13(1) of the Principal Act is amended by omitting "a prescribed power or this power of delegation" and substituting "this power of delegation or a power prescribed by the regulations". 11Section 18 amended (Functions and powers of State Forensic Pathologist) Section 18(1)(g) of the Principal Act is amended by omitting "prescribed." and substituting "prescribed by the regulations.". 12Section 34 amended (Power to restrict entry to place where death occurred) Section 34(7) of the Principal Act is amended by omitting "in regulations made under this Act or, if no such regulations are made," and substituting "or, if the application procedure is not prescribed,". 13Section 49 amended (Restriction of access to fire or explosion area) Section 49(7) of the Principal Act is amended by omitting "in regulations made under this Act or, if no such regulations are made," and substituting "or, if the application procedure is not prescribed,". 14Section 69A insertedAfter section 69 of the Principal Act , the following section is inserted in Part 8: 69ARules of court Rules of court made for this Act by the Magistrates Rule Committee may, without limiting the generality of the committee’s powers, make provision for or with respect to all or any of the following: (a) the practice and procedure at, or preliminary or incidental to, inquests and the recording of proceedings at inquests; (b) the form of oath to be taken by persons appointed to record or transcribe proceedings at inquests; (c) the summoning and attendance of witnesses at inquests; (d) the conditions relating to the conduct of an autopsy; (e) the issue of certificates authorising the disposal of human remains; (f) the manner of dealing with exhibits. 15Section 70 amended (Regulations) Section 70 of the Principal Act is amended as follows: (a) by omitting subsection (2) and substituting the following subsection: (2) Without limiting the generality of subsection (1) , regulations under this section may prescribe – (a) fees and charges payable in respect of any matter under this Act; and (b) expenses and allowances payable to witnesses or other persons under this Act. (b) by omitting from subsection (3)(c) ", or a failure to comply with,". 16Section 72A insertedAfter section 72 of the Principal Act , the following section is inserted in Part 8: 72ATransition from regulations to rules (1) In this section – remade, for regulations, means the rescission of all of those regulations and the making of new regulations in substitution for those regulations; rules means rules of court made for this Act by the Magistrates Rule Committee on or after the transition day; Transition Act means the Justice (Delegated Legislation) Act 2003 ; transition day means the day on which Part 3 of the Transition Act commences. (2) Notwithstanding the amendments made to this Act by Part 3 of the Transition Act, the regulations that were in force under this Act immediately before the transition day (the "Coroners Regulations 1996") – (a) continue in force on and after that day as if the Transition Act had not been enacted; and (b) may, until rules take effect, be amended or remade as if the Transition Act had not been enacted. (3) After rules take effect, the Coroners Regulations 1996 , unless sooner amended or remade consequent on the making of those rules or rescinded, continue in force only to the extent that they are not inconsistent with those rules. PART 4Justices Act 1959 Amended17Principal ActIn this Part, the Justices Act 1959 is referred to as the Principal Act. 18Section 3 amended (Interpretation) Section 3(1) of the Principal Act is amended as follows: (a) by inserting the following definition after the definition of magistrate : Magistrates Rule Committee means the committee referred to in section 15AC of the Magistrates Court Act 1987 ; (b) by inserting the following definition after the definition of police officer : prescribed means – (a) prescribed in the rules referred to in section 144 ; or (b) prescribed in regulations made under section 145 ; 19Section 50A amended (Justices' record) Section 50A(2) of the Principal Act is amended by omitting "relevant fee prescribed in the rules made under section 144 " and substituting "relevant prescribed fee". 20Section 77 amended (Costs) Section 77(4)(d) of the Principal Act is amended by omitting "by the rules made under section 144 ". 21Section 136A amended (Recording of depositions and proceedings) Section 136A(a) of the Principal Act is amended by omitting "in the rules made under section 144 ". 22Section 144 amended (Rules of court) Section 144 of the Principal Act is amended as follows: (a) by omitting subsection (1) ; (b) by omitting from subsection (4) "Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) , the power to make rules conferred by this section includes the power to" and substituting “Rules of court made by the Magistrates Rule Committee for this Act may, without limiting the generality of the committee’s powers,”; (c) by omitting paragraphs (f) and (fa) from subsection (4) ; (d) by omitting from subsection (4)(fb) "Act and the fees, costs, and charges payable in respect of those appeals and reviews; and" and substituting "Act."; (e) by omitting paragraph (g) from subsection (4) ; (f) by omitting subsection (5) ; (g) by omitting from subsection (6) "under this section". 23Section 145 substituted Section 145 of the Principal Act is repealed and the following sections are substituted: 145Regulations (1) The Governor may make regulations – (a) for the purposes of Part III ; and (b) prescribing the fees, costs and charges under this Act, or under any other Act for the time being in force, so far as they relate to any matter or proceeding as to which justices have jurisdiction, including fees for service and execution of process, including service by post; and (c) prescribing the travelling and other expenses payable to witnesses under this Act and the advances, whether periodical or otherwise, that may be made to those witnesses on account of those expenses; and (d) prescribing the fees, costs and charges payable in respect of appeals to magistrates and reviews of orders by magistrates; and (e) prescribing or providing for any other matter about which regulations are expressly or impliedly authorised or required by this Act to be made. (2) The regulations may – (a) be made so as to apply differently according to matters, limitations or restrictions, whether as to time, circumstance or otherwise, specified in the regulations; and (b) authorise any matter to be from time to time determined or regulated by the Chief Magistrate or another magistrate, the Secretary or a person specified in the regulations. 146Transitional provision: rules and regulations (1) In this section – new regulations means regulations made under section 145 after the transition day; new rules means rules of court made for this Act by the Magistrates Rule Committee on or after the transition day; old rules means the rules of procedure in force under section 144 immediately before the transition day (the "Justices Rules 1976"); transition day means the day on which Part 4 of the Justice (Delegated Legislation) Act 2003 commences. (2) Notwithstanding the amendments made to this Act by Part 4 of the Justice (Delegated Legislation) Act 2003 , the old rules continue in force on and after the transition day to the extent that they are not inconsistent with any new rules or new regulations and may be – (a) amended by the Governor, to the extent that the amendments are not inconsistent with any new rules or new regulations, as if that Act had not been enacted; or (b) rescinded by the Governor. PART 5Magistrates Court Act 1987 Amended24Principal ActIn this Part, the Magistrates Court Act 1987 is referred to as the Principal Act. 25Section 3 amended (Interpretation) Section 3 of the Principal Act is amended by inserting after the definition of Chief Magistrate the following definition: committee means the committee continued in existence by section 15AC under the name "Magistrates Rule Committee"; 26Part IIA insertedAfter section 15AB of the Principal Act , the following Part is inserted: PART IIARules 15ACMagistrates Rule Committee (1) The former rules committee continues under the name "Magistrates Rule Committee". (2) The committee consists of – (a) the Chief Magistrate who is the presiding member; and (b) the Deputy Chief Magistrate; and (c) the magistrates; and (d) a person appointed by the Minister on the nomination of the Tasmanian Bar Association; and (e) a person appointed by the Minister on the nomination of the Law Society of Tasmania. (3) The Minister may require the body referred to in subsection (2)(d) or (e) to nominate a person within a specified period (being a period not less than 30 days). (4) If the body fails to nominate a person within that period, the Minister may make the nomination. (5) If the body referred to in subsection (2)(d) or (e) changes its name, the Governor may, by order, amend the relevant paragraph by substituting the body’s new name. (6) If the body referred to in paragraph (d) or (e) of subsection (2) ceases to exist, the Governor may, by order made on the recommendation of the committee, amend the relevant paragraph by substituting the name of a body which the Governor is satisfied substantially represents the interests represented by the body that has ceased to exist. (7) The Minister may, on the recommendation of the body referred to in paragraph (d) or (e) of subsection (2) , appoint a deputy of the committee member referred to in the relevant paragraph. (8) If the committee member referred to in subsection (2)(d) or (e) is unable to attend a meeting of the committee for any reason, the member’s deputy may attend and, when so doing, is taken to be a member of the committee with all the powers, rights and duties of a member. (9) All acts and proceedings of the committee while a deputy is acting in place of a member of the committee are valid and effectual for all purposes. (10) A committee member referred to in subsection (2)(d) or (e) and any deputy of that member holds office for the term set out in his or her instrument of appointment. (11) In this section, former rules committee means the committee referred to in section 20 of the Magistrates Court (Civil Division) Act 1992 as in force immediately before the commencement of the Justice (Delegated Legislation) Act 2003 . 15ADMeetings and procedure of committee (1) Meetings of the Magistrates Rule Committee are to be convened by or on the direction of the Chief Magistrate. (2) The quorum for a meeting of the committee is 8, of whom one is to be the Chief Magistrate or Deputy Chief Magistrate. (3) If the presiding member is unable to attend a meeting of the committee, the Deputy Chief Magistrate must preside at the meeting. (4) A telephone or video conference between members of the committee is a meeting of the committee at which the members participating in the conference are present. (5) Except as provided by this section, the committee may regulate its own proceedings. 15AECommittee may make rules of court (1) The Magistrates Rule Committee may make rules of court for all or any of the following: (a) the divisions of the Magistrates Court; (b) courts of summary jurisdiction; (c) except as may be provided by any Act, other lower courts; (d) except as may be provided by any Act, special proceedings. (2) Rules made under subsection (1) for any court, division of a court or special proceedings may, subject to any relevant enactment – (a) regulate the practice and procedure of that court or division or those proceedings; and (b) make provision for or in relation to the enforcement of judgments and orders of that court or division or magistrate presiding over those proceedings; and (c) make provision for or in relation to mediation and conciliation conferences including, but not limited to, the following matters: (i) the appointment of mediators and conciliators and their powers and functions; (ii) the conduct of such conferences and associated procedures; (iii) the consequences of such conferences or the failure of such conferences; and (d) make provision for or in relation to any other matters as expressly or impliedly authorised by that enactment; and (e) make provision for any incidental or ancillary matters related to the jurisdiction and business of that court or division or related to the conduct of those proceedings. (3) Rules made under subsection (1) for any court, division of a court or special proceedings may – (a) authorise any matter to be from time to time determined, applied or regulated by – (i) the Chief Magistrate, a magistrate or coroner or other judicial officer specified in the rules; and (ii) the Administrator, a registrar or other court official specified in the rules; and (b) be made so as to apply differently according to matters, limitations or restrictions, whether as to time or circumstance or otherwise, specified in the rules; and (c) provide that a contravention of any of the rules is an offence; and (d) in respect of such an offence, provide for the imposition of a fine not exceeding 10 penalty units and, in the case of a continuing offence, a further fine not exceeding one penalty unit for each day during which the offence continues; and (e) contain provisions of a savings or transitional nature consequent on the enactment of the Justice (Delegated Legislation) Act 2003 , and any such provision may, if the rules so provide, take effect on the day of commencement of any Part of that Act specified in the rules or a later day. (4) Rules of court are statutory rules within the meaning of the Rules Publication Act 1953 . (5) The committee may delegate any of its functions or powers, other than this power of delegation, to the Chief Magistrate. (6) In this section – relevant enactment means – (a) the enactment under which a court or a division of a court is established or constituted, or under which provision is made for special proceedings; or (b) any other enactment having application to that court or division or to those proceedings; special proceedings means applications, appeals or other proceedings that are required to be presided over by a magistrate and for which, under the relevant enactment, rules of court are expressly or impliedly authorised or required to be made by the committee. 27Section 19B insertedAfter section 19A of the Principal Act , the following section is inserted in Part IV: 19BTransitional provision: membership of committee (1) In this section – former committee means the Rules Committee of Magistrates Court (Civil Division) as constituted under Division 1 of Part 5 of the Magistrates Court (Civil Division) Act 1992 immediately before the transition day; new committee means the committee continued by section 15AC under the name "Magistrates Rule Committee"; transition day means the day on which Part 5 of the Justice (Delegated Legislation) Act 2003 commences. (2) A person who was an appointed member of the former committee immediately before the transition day continues in office on and after that day as a member of the new committee, under and subject to this Act, for the remainder of the term of office set out in the instrument by which the person was appointed to the former committee. PART 6Magistrates Court (Administrative Appeals Division) Act 2001 Amended28Principal ActIn this Part, the Magistrates Court (Administrative Appeals Division) Act 2001 is referred to as the Principal Act. 29Section 3 amended (Interpretation) Section 3(1) of the Principal Act is amended as follows: (a) by inserting the following definition after the definition of Magistrates Court : Magistrates Rule Committee means the committee referred to in section 15AC of the Magistrates Court Act 1987 ; (b) by omitting the definition of rules of court and substituting the following definition: rules of court means rules of court made for this Act by the Magistrates Rule Committee. 30Section 51 substituted Section 51 of the Principal Act is repealed and the following section is substituted: 51Rules of court The rules of court may, without limiting the generality of the Magistrates Rule Committee’s powers, make provision for or with respect to all or any of the following: (a) the commencement of proceedings in the Court; (b) the practice and procedure to be followed in, or for the purposes of, proceedings before the Court; (c) the means for, and the practice and procedure to be followed in, the enforcement and execution of decisions of the Court; (d) the functions of the registrar or other officers under this Act, including functions in relation to proceedings instituted before the Court. 31Section 55 insertedAfter section 54 of the Principal Act , the following section is inserted in Part 7: 55Transitional: rules of court (1) In this section – new rules means rules of court made for this Act by the Magistrates Rule Committee on or after the transition day; old rules means the rules of court in force under section 51 immediately before the transition day; Transition Act means the Justice (Delegated Legislation) Act 2003 ; transition day means the day on which Part 6 of the Transition Act commences. (2) Notwithstanding the amendments made to this Act by Part 6 of the Transition Act, the old rules – (a) continue in force on and after the transition day until new rules take effect; and (b) may be amended by the Magistrates Rule Committee, for which purpose the committee has and may exercise any power expressly or impliedly conferred on it under section 15AE of the Magistrates Court Act 1987 . (3) The Magistrates Rule Committee may rescind the old rules. PART 7Magistrates Court (Children's Division) Act 1998 Amended32Principal ActIn this Part, the Magistrates Court (Children’s Division) Act 1998 is referred to as the Principal Act. 33Section 23 repealed Section 23 of the Principal Act is repealed. PART 8Magistrates Court (Civil Division) Act 1992 Amended34Principal ActIn this Part, the Magistrates Court (Civil Division) Act 1992 is referred to as the Principal Act. 35Section 3 amended (Interpretation) Section 3 of the Principal Act is amended as follows: (a) by inserting the following definition after the definition of Magistrates Court : Magistrates Rule Committee means the committee referred to in section 15AC of the Magistrates Court Act 1987 ; (b) by omitting the definition of Rules Committee ; (c) by omitting the definition of Rules of Court and substituting the following definition: rules of court means rules of court made for this Act by the Magistrates Rule Committee; 36Section 16 amended (Duties, &c., of bailiffs) Section 16 of the Principal Act is amended as follows: (a) by omitting from subsection (4) "Rules of Court" and substituting "rules of court"; (b) by omitting from subsection (6) "Rules of Court." and substituting "rules of court.". 37Section 19 amended (Practice and procedure to be in accordance with rules of court) Section 19 of the Principal Act is amended as follows: (a) by omitting "this Part and"; (b) by omitting "Rules of Court." and substituting "rules of court.". 38Sections 20 , 21 and 22 repealed Sections 20 , 21 and 22 of the Principal Act are repealed. 39Section 27 amended (Judgment) Section 27 of the Principal Act is amended by omitting "Rules of Court," and substituting "rules of court,". 40Section 34 amended (Practitioners' charges) Section 34 of the Principal Act is amended by omitting "Rules of Court." and substituting "rules of court.". 41Section 37 amended (Witnesses) Section 37(1) of the Principal Act is amended by omitting "Rules of Court," and substituting "rules of court,". 42Section 39B insertedAfter section 39A of the Principal Act , the following section is inserted in Part 7: 39BRules of court The rules of court may, without limiting the generality of the Magistrates Rule Committee’s powers, make provision for or with respect to all or any of the following: (a) the enforcement of judgments and orders of the Court; (b) mediation and conciliation conferences, including – (i) the appointment of mediators and conciliators; and (ii) the conduct of conferences; and (iii) the procedure to be followed before, at and after conferences; and (iv) the giving of directions and making of orders by persons who conduct conferences; and (v) the effect of conferences; and (vi) judgment following conferences or the failure of persons to attend conferences. 43Section 43A insertedAfter section 43 of the Principal Act , the following section is inserted in Part 7: 43ATransitional provision: rules of court (1) In this section – new rules means rules of court made for this Act by the Magistrates Rule Committee on or after the transition day; old rules means the rules of court in force under Part 5 immediately before the transition day; Transition Act means the Justice (Delegated Legislation) Act 2003 ; transition day means the day on which Part 8 of the Transition Act commences. (2) Notwithstanding the amendments made to this Act by Part 8 of the Transition Act, the old rules – (a) continue in force on and after the transition day until new rules take effect; and (b) may be amended by the Magistrates Rule Committee, for which purpose the committee has and may exercise any power expressly or impliedly conferred on it under section 15AE of the Magistrates Court Act 1987 . (3) The Magistrates Rule Committee may rescind the old rules. PART 9Mineral Resources Development Act 1995 Amended44Principal ActIn this Part, the Mineral Resources Development Act 1995 is referred to as the Principal Act. 45Section 3 amended (Interpretation) Section 3 of the Principal Act is amended by inserting after the definition of licensee the following definition: Magistrates Court (Civil Division) means the division of the Magistrates Court established under section 4 of the Magistrates Court (Civil Division) Act 1992 ; 46Section 131 amended (Hearings and proceedings) Section 131(1) of the Principal Act is amended by omitting "is to be in accordance with Rules of Court under the Magistrates Court (Civil Division) Act 1992 ." and substituting "is to be in accordance with the rules of court applicable to the Magistrates Court (Civil Division).". 47Section 133 amended (Orders of Mining Tribunal) Section 133(5)(a) of the Principal Act is amended by omitting "Civil Division of the Magistrates Court of Tasmania" and substituting "Magistrates Court (Civil Division)". 48Section 134 amended (Ejection or seizure) Section 134(2)(b) of the Principal Act is amended by omitting "Civil Division of the Magistrates Court of Tasmania." and substituting "Magistrates Court (Civil Division).". PART 10Records of Offences (Access) Act 1981 Amended49Principal ActIn this Part, the Records of Offences (Access) Act 1981 is referred to as the Principal Act. 50Section 3 amended (Interpretation) Section 3(1) of the Principal Act is amended as follows: (a) by inserting the following definition after the definition of infringement notice : Magistrates Rule Committee means the committee referred to in section 15AC of the Magistrates Court Act 1987 ; (b) by omitting the definition of the rules and substituting the following definition: rules means rules of court made for this Act by the Magistrates Rule Committee. 51Section 12 substituted Section 12 of the Principal Act is repealed and the following section is substituted: 12Rules of court The rules of court may, without limiting the generality of the Magistrates Rule Committee’s powers, make provision for or with respect to any or all of the following: (a) the attendance of witnesses at hearings of applications under section 8 ; (b) the giving and admissibilty of evidence at hearings of applications under section 8 ; (c) the powers of magistrates in relation to the matters referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) ; (d) the form of any application or notice. 52Sections 12A and 12B insertedAfter section 12 of the Principal Act , the following sections are inserted: 12ARegulations (1) The Governor may make regulations for the purposes of this Act. (2) Without limiting the generality of subsection (1) , the regulations may – (a) prescribe the travelling and other expenses payable to persons who are witnesses at hearings of applications under section 8 ; and (b) prescribe fees and charges in relation to any matter under this Act. (3) The regulations may – (a) be made so as to apply differently according to matters, limitations or restrictions, whether as to time, circumstance or otherwise, specified in the regulations; and (b) authorise any matter to be from time to time determined or regulated by a magistrate. 12BTransitional provision: rules and regulations (1) In this section – new rules means rules of court made for this Act by the Magistrates Rule Committee on or after the transition day; old rules means the rules of procedure and practice in force under section 12 immediately before the transition day; regulations means regulations made under section 12A on or after the transition day; transition day means the day on which Part 10 of the Justice (Delegated Legislation) Act 2003 commences. (2) Notwithstanding the amendments made to this Act by Part 10 of the Justice (Delegated Legislation) Act 2003 , the old rules continue in force on and after the transition day to the extent that they are not inconsistent with any new rules or regulations and may be – (a) amended by the Governor, to the extent that the amendments are not inconsistent with any new rules or regulations, as if that Act had not been enacted; or (b) rescinded by the Governor. [Second reading presentation speech made in:
House of Assembly on 26 NOVEMBER 2002
Legislative Council on 26 MARCH 2003]