Nine judges have been appointed to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) today including one appointment for the Brisbane Registry.
Federal Attorney-General the Honourable Mark Dreyfus KC MP announced the appointments, which start today, including Amanda Coulthard as the Queensland appointment.
Philip Corbett KC, Kate Cuthbertson SC, Arran Gerrard, Val Gostencnik, Sheila Kaur-Bains, Bernard McCabe, Peter Papadopoulos and Rania Skaros have also been appointed across the Melbourne, Sydney, Parramatta and Adelaide Registries.
Ms Coulthard has been appointed to the Brisbane Registry to fill a newly funded migration position.
The Chief Justice of the FCFCOA, the Honourable Will Alstergren AO, was hopeful of the new appointments at Wednesday’s welcome ceremony for new Family Court Judge Tuskeen Jacobs in Brisbane.
“Your Honour joins Judge Bertone as a new judge in this registry, and we have additional appointments to be announced soon,” he told the court.
“If fact I am hoping that as you are now, I think, the most junior judge on the court or one of most juniors, without wanting to give too much away, if we get lucky in the fullest of time perhaps next week, month or two months, you may have 14 other judges that may be more junior than you.
“Without giving anything away,” he joked. “They have already been announced that they are coming.”
Judge Jacobs was welcomed last week.
In reference to Judge Jacobs appointment, His Honour said: “Can I say Your Honour’s appointment came at an exciting time during the course of our recent judicial plenary … Your Honour had a whirlwind opportunity to travel to meet your judicial colleagues and share, albeit briefly, the judicial learning and collegiate atmosphere around this nation.
“I hope that occasion gave you an insight into the friendly and collegiate atmosphere of our courts and, of course the judges, and provided a supportive foundation as you undertake this challenging but fulfilling role.
“There is no doubt that we are privileged to be part of such a diligent and dedicated group of judges who do their utmost to serve the community, day in and day out.
“You’ve already hit the ground running and won a great deal of respect from your colleagues.”
Ms Coulthard holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Queensland and a Masters of Law from Bond University. She was admitted to practice as a solicitor in 1982, practising as Special Counsel in a national and boutique law firm specialising in workplace relations and employment law.
In 2010, Ms Coulthard was called to the bar, where she practised across areas of workplace relations and employment law. Ms Coulthard has also held the position of Associate Professor at the Bond University Faculty of Law.
The Chief Judge said the announcement of nine appointments was greatly welcomed.
“On behalf of the court, I congratulate all of our new judges on their appointment to the bench,” he said.
“The migration-related workload represents the second largest area of the court’s work after family law.
“Due to unprecedented increases in filing volumes over a number of years, the court’s pending migration caseload doubled, and as such, these judicial resources will help the court to reduce the current pending caseload.
“In addition, the court will be implementing a range of other initiatives that will provide better access to justice for migration applicants, a large proportion of whom are unrepresented and require interpreter assistance.”
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