The times were a-changin‘ at the Banco Court this week with new District Court Judge Dominique Grigg channeling Bob Dylan at her swearing-in ceremony.
Judge Grigg started her duties on Monday taking the affirmation of allegiance, while Judge Sarah Farnden KC was welcomed to the bench after being sworn in on 9 June, with both speeches focusing on wellbeing, family and peer support.
“It’s probably a fact that to a lot of you that I’m a little bit like Bob Dylan – a complete unknown – at least to the criminal bar,” Judge Grigg told the court and livestream audiences in Ipswich, Townsville, Southport and Maroochydore.
Her Honour Judge Grigg’s commission was read to the court.
“This will not remain the case for long I’m sure, but I can assure you all that I intend to get on to the job with total commitment and to the very best of my ability.”
Judge Grigg is known internationally for her work in intellectual property law, her 23 years at the bar, along with stints on the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (“a sliding doors moment”) and Crime and Corruption Commission.
“However, in the interests of decreasing her anonymity”, she gave the court a “plotted history” of her life and career, in which her family focused on the value of education and discussing the big ideas.
“…Everyone is entitled to an opinion but do at least try to have an evidence-based one. That is, get your facts straight.”
A self-confessed sports fanatic, Her Honour admitted to watching every Brisbane Broncos (her favourite TV show is NRL 360) and Queensland Firebirds game and is hoping to set up a netball team with her judicial colleagues.
“I’ve already picked out the goalkeeper,” she joked. “I’m yet to discuss it with him.”
In terms of her career as a judge, Her Honour referred to a speech by the then Honourable Chief Justice Susan Kiefel entitled On Being A Judge.
“I will take on all of her hints and aspire to obtain to some small degree the qualities of the described ideal judge,” she said.
Judge Farnden was welcomed to the court.
She congratulated her fellow new judge and was happy to share the ceremony and “split the attention”.
Judge Farnden had previously admitted to being an introvert and that she had the privilege of sharing most life events with her twin sister “and not having to be the centre of attention”.
“So I am most happy to be able to share this day with Judge Grigg and congratulate you on your appointment,” she said.
“As an introvert, I was in equal parts terrified that no one would come today and terrified that people would come today. … thank you to my family and friends and everyone watching over video link, I am pleased I can pretend you are not there and it is much less intimidating. “
She thanked the bar speakers, including Queensland Law Society President Genevieve Dee.
“I am grateful, frankly, that you even mentioned me in your speech because I was never a solicitor,” she said.
“There is no truer test of character and personality of a barrister than one who is about to join the bar and rely on solicitors for their income, especially one who has spent their entire career, as I did, appearing against them.
“I am so grateful to the solicitors who briefed me whilst I was at the bar, many of whom who have taken the time to come today.”
The QLS President said: “The District Court of Queensland is an extremely busy court, sitting throughout the state to deal with a wide variety and high volume of matters, and the appointment of two new judges to assist with this work is welcomed by the legal profession.”
Before joining the private Bar, Judge Farnden served in various roles at the Office of Director of Public Prosecutions including as a consultant and Principal Crown Prosecutor.
Showing her sense of humour, Her Honour decided to listen to a suggestion to use ChatGPT to possibly assist her speech.
“I haven’t used AI so far in the law, so I thought what better way to start – articles about lawyers getting into trouble for using ChatGPT to write materials citing non-existing cases.”
The use of ChatGPT does not lead Her Honour “to think lawyers will be replaced anytime soon”.
Chief Judge Devereaux SC said: “The varied paths by which experienced lawyers come to sit on the District Court is to be celebrated. The Judges of the court welcome our new judges, and we look forward to being part of this next, and arguably, pinnacle stage of their careers.”
And as for Judge Grigg’s sports team plan, the Chief Judge said: “If there is a cricket team that plays against the bar and a golf day with Associates, there absolutely has to be a netball team.”
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