11 new magistrates appointed in landmark lift for Local Court

From police prosecutors and barristers working with the NSW Office of the Director of Public Prosecutors (ODPP), to senior solicitors practising in the public and private sectors in Australia and overseas, the group brings an enormous breadth of legal expertise to the state’s busiest court.

Five of the roles are new and six of the individuals will move into positions vacated by magistrates appointed to other jurisdictions, retiring magistrates or magistrates converting to part-time.

The magistrates will initially be posted in different parts of NSW as part of their training, including regional circuits, before presiding at a more permanent location.

The 11 appointments provide a big boost for the Local Court, bringing the total number of magistrates to 159, which includes 26 magistrates in the Children’s and Coroner’s Court.

The appointees will be sworn in and commence as magistrates in early 2025.

Attorney General Michael Daley said:

“I am delighted to announce the appointment of 11 outstanding lawyers to the Local Court bench.

“The Local Court is the backbone of the NSW justice system, with magistrates responsible for more than 90 per cent of judicial decisions in the state, including increasingly complex cases.

“These individuals bring a wide range of legal expertise and will be invaluable to the Court and everyone who interacts with it.

“I congratulate each appointee on this well-deserved achievement.”