New Supreme Court Judges named

Queensland barristers Christopher Johnstone KC and Shane Doyle KC will be sworn in as Supreme Court Justices on 28 July at 9am. 

Mr Johnstone, who will start his role as a Justice of the Supreme Court (Trial Division), practised as a solicitor early in his legal career in commercial and insolvency litigation, commercial arbitration, and general banking.  

He was born in Townsville and will return next year as the Northern Judge. 

Following his admission to the bar in 2007, he has practised primarily in commercial litigation, appearing regularly in the Federal Court of Australia, Supreme Courts of Queensland and New South Wales, and the High Court of Solomon Islands.  

He took silk in 2024, becoming a King’s Counsel in Queensland, and has also undertaken much work in the Townsville region during his service as a legal officer in the RAAF. 

Throughout his military service, Mr Johnstone has appeared in military tribunals and inquiries, been deployed on active service to the Middle East and was awarded both the Australian Defence Medal and Operational Service Medal, Greater Middle East Operation. 

Attorney-General Deb Frecklington also thanked Justice David North for his outstanding service as the Northern Judge in the Trial Division. Justice North will take leave pending his retirement in March 2026, as well as Justice Peter Flanagan, who is retiring from the Court of Appeal on 25 July.  

Mr Doyle has been appointed as a Justice of both the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal. He has spent nearly three decades building his legal expertise in commercial litigation, arbitration, appellate and corporations law in Australia, the UK and Singapore, and various Commissions. 

Receiving the University of Queensland Medal (Law) in 1985, Mr Doyle went on to be awarded a Bachelor of Civil Law from Oxford University where he attended as a Commonwealth scholar.  

He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1995 and is one of Australia’s leading commercial barristers. He has also appeared in many Commissions of Inquiry over his career. 

Mr Doyle was also a long-time contributor to the Queensland Bar Association, serving on its Council as President in 2014-15, Vice President in 2013-14, and Chair of the Commercial Law Committee for nearly 18 years. 

The Attorney-General said: “Mr Doyle’s and Mr Johnstone’s experience will be an asset to the judiciary, and we are fortunate to have legal practitioners of such a high calibre here in Queensland,” the Attorney said. 

“I am appreciative they will serve the people of Queensland in their respective roles, which are of huge importance to our judiciary. 

“Both appointees are eminently qualified and experienced and will make a significant contribution to our courts.”