New SA District Court Chief Judge Geoffrey Muecke says community involvement will be a hallmark of his tenure New District Court Chief Judge Geoffrey Muecke in his chambers. GEOFFREY Muecke has shown many people into the cells of the District Court - not as a judge, but as a tour guide. Such is his passion for community involvement that the state's newly-appointed Chief Judge volunteers, once a year, to run cell tours for the Courts Open Day. Speaking to The Advertiser on his first day in the new role, Chief Judge Muecke said he hoped to make that passion the hallmark of his tenure. "I love people, and the courts as much as any organisation is about people," he said today. If I can contribute, to all of those people, the feeling of being valued and respected during their contact with the courts, that's an achievement of which I will be most proud. Chief Judge Muecke was appointed to the top job yesterday, having served on the bench since 1999 and performed the role of acting Chief Judge since April. He replaces Chief Judge Terry Worthington, who stepped down upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70. Chief Judge Muecke, who turned 66 this year, said his tenure will inevitably be shorter than most. "Unless the State Government raises the retirement age, this is a position I will hold for only 3 ½ years - but I'm not put off by that," he said. It might just mean my portrait (in the court house) will be smaller than the others. Renowned among his peers for his soft voice, dry wit and quirky sense of humour, Chief Judge Muecke is nonetheless ready for the challenges ahead. His predecessor warned the District Court risked falling back into logjam and long trial delays without sufficient government investment. "We must do what we can to find a balance between doing what we do, as well and as efficiently as possible, whilst ensuring that the rule of law in our community is maintained and protected," Chief Judge Muecke said. That's what courts are here for - to serve the community and protect the rule of law. Finding that balance can be difficult - there's not unlimited money available, for any arm of government, and if there were our jobs would be easier. Chief Judge Muecke said the courts' other major challenge was maintaining the confidence of the community. "That's not an easy thing to do but one of the ways we can do it is through the jury system, of which I am a great supporter," he said. Juries are a way in which the community feels that it can make a greater contribution to our justice system, rather than it being left up to the judges. He acknowledged there was ongoing debate, in legal circles, over the value of juries. "If I have anything to do with it, the jury system will not be abolished in my time," he said. Chief Judge Muecke said his appointment had left him feeling excited, humbled and "probably a little overwhelmed" by the support of his peers, court staff and the legal profession. He said he hoped to repay their confidence while fostering greater community engagement in justice. "The justice system exists for the community and the people in it," he said. It bears reminding everyone of that, because that's what we are here for.