Former Governor named LAQ chair

Former Queensland Governor the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC CVO KC has been appointed as chair of the Legal Aid Queensland (LAQ) Board. 

The state’s 26th Governor succeeds the Honourable Margaret McMurdo AC, who has served in the position since May 2017. 

Called to the Bar in 1971, Mr de Jersey took silk in 1981 was appointed a Supreme Court judge in 1985, aged just 36. Other appointments include President of the Queensland Industrial Court between 1996 and 1997, and Chair of the Law Reform Commission of Queensland from 1996 to 1997. 

Mr de Jersey became the 17th Chief Justice of Queensland in 1998 and served in that role until 2014. 

He said he was honoured to accept the appointment. 

“Legal Aid Queensland plays a vital role, providing a significant range of services across criminal, family, and civil law, in what are often times of extreme difficulty for clients who might not otherwise have access to legal assistance,” he said. 

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“I am pleased to be able to serve in this role, ensuring this organisation continues to support Queenslanders in navigating what can be a very complicated system.” 

Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said: “Mr de Jersey has demonstrated a lifetime of achievement and is one of Australia’s most eminent jurists, whose extraordinary career includes more than half a century’s experience in courts. 

“With his legal acumen and community spirit, Mr de Jersey is uniquely suited to understand the challenges and needs of Queenslanders who come to rely on the remarkably wide range of services offered by Legal Aid Queensland. 

“He joins the Legal Aid Queensland Board at a time when the organisation is experiencing a significant increase in demand for the service, including in regional and remote parts of the state. 

“I also wish to thank and acknowledge the service of outgoing chair Margaret McMurdo and wish her well in her future endeavours.”