Carmody saga will be costly

The disaster that was Tim Carmody's appointment as Queensland's most senior judge could end up costing taxpayers dearly.

Justice Carmody, who earns almost $470,000 a year, has offered to resign as chief justice in order to end one of the most divisive periods in Queensland's legal history.

He admits he's unable to repair fractured relationships with the judges the former LNP government appointed him to lead.

On Monday he said he would quit, but only on "just terms", including a demand for reform of the courts and a proper settlement after only 10 months in a job that was to have lasted for years.

Any settlement to secure his departure is likely to be hefty, given the size of his salary and the abrupt end to what should have been a long-term role.

Queensland's last chief justice Paul de Jersey, who is now the Queensland governor, served in the job for more than 15 years.