New Judge His Honour Corey Jenkins says his legal correspondence has “mellowed” over time as he shared his first ‘legal letter’ with the Court during Friday’s welcome ceremony in Townsville.
The Honourable Chief Justice William Alstergren AO of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) presided over the ceremonial sitting in Supreme Courtroom 1, Supreme and District Courts, 31 Walker Street, Townsville.
A former family lawyer on the Sunshine Coast, Judge Jenkins wanted to convey his passion for the law which developed as a teenager, but he said he struggled to do that while contemplating his speech.
Fortunately, with help from his mother, who was present at the sitting, he found a way as she provided documents dating back to his primary school days.
“One letter stood out to me, perhaps it was here that my 12-year-old self stoked the fire for advocacy,” he told the court reading from his letter of complaint to a cycle shop penned in 1990.
“This might have a familiar tone for family lawyers.”
The letter documented the mountain bike’s model, tyre height, number of gears, colours and cost.
“The bike has a real bad brake system and takes twice as long to stop as other children’s bikes,” he read to much laughter from the Court.
“I would like you to replace this bike as it is on a six-month guarantee. I’ll be in your shop between three and four o’clock on Tuesday.
“I’ve even used a seal,” he said holding up the letter much to the Bench’s amusement.
“I’m actually quite fond of that correspondence and I can say I’ve certainly mellowed in my correspondence writing since that first letter of demand.”
His Honour’s career started as a mature-aged student studying law and he was admitted in 2009.
His “first stint at law” then started in Gympie, initially employed under the Regional Solicitors Program funded by Legal Aid Queensland.
“I absolutely loved my time in regional Queensland, meeting some lovely practitioners who I am still in contact with today,” he said.
His Honour later traded on the Sunshine Coast under his own name, Jenkins Lawyers Pty Ltd, as Director, “learning all the ropes of being self-employed”.
“This was a wonderful experience in that I had autonomy but of course I had to pay bills. It was here I really streamlined my passion into becoming a family lawyer on a full-time basis.
“It was a wonderful place to practise in Noosa where I met another group of Sunshine Coast lawyers along my journey, and I continue to have a relationship with this day.”
However working in Cairns as a Legal Aid lawyer was where His Honour found he had the chance to really help disadvantage people, “something I convinced myself that I would always do in practice and I continue to uphold that today”.
“It was at Legal Aid Queensland I was able to work with others in the implementation of the FASS program, which I’m very proud of,” he said.
“During that time I also took on responsibility of sitting on the AFL Cairns Tribunal, which gave me a different look at justice.
“When an opportunity arose to become a Registrar of the Court, I couldn’t help to be drawn to the position and apply. As a Senior Judicial Registrar, I would often hear complex family violence matters as one of the court’s Evert registrars, which I’m incredibly proud of.
“It opened up a new world and allowed me to utilise the skills I developed in practice, and my week normally consisted of duty days, interim hearings, and acting as a mediator in complex pairing and property matters.
“After four years of this, I applied to be a judge of the Court and I firmly believe my former role has helped me in the transition as it can be a daunting, of course, to sit on a bench for the first time and I’m glad I’ve had those cobwebs shaken off.
“I also, on that note, wish to acknowledge the many wonderful registrars of this Court. They are the engine room of the Court now and often demands are stressful, the matters are complex.”
His Honour said becoming a judge of this Court was his “most career-defining moment”.
“I’m proud to be part of the Far North and North Queensland’s family law journey,” he said.
“I’ll never take for granted the oath that I’ve given to the people of Townsville, and of course, broader Australia when I circuit, which is something I very much look forward to doing, and something that I’ve already been introduced to.
“I understand the enormous challenge that comes with judge work, and of course, being an all-rounder in a single judge registry.
“If I’m to be asked what kind of judge I want to be, and perhaps one day in retrospect, I would like to say that I served the people of Australia diligently with intellect, patience, with humility, and at times humour, but I do not intend to do any injustice to litigants and lawyers alike.
“The oath I’ve sworn is incredibly important to me and I take it seriously.”
His Honour Chief Justice Alstergren said he welcomed the “addition of such an experienced and diligent judge to the bench”.
“Ceremonial sittings are an important occasion for all of us. They allow us to celebrate, welcome, and acknowledge the qualities and capabilities of our newest members of the bench,” His Honour said.
“They also give us an insight into a judges’ journey onto the bench, and indeed, their journey to this point.
“They also look at how they contribute to the bench and the culture of the Court itself.
“Your Honour reflects the calibre of the current judges of this Court and bringing a wealth of experience in family law jurisdiction.
“As we’ve heard, Your Honour’s legal career has already shown a deep commitment to families across regional and rural areas in Queensland and of course across Australia.
“In 2021, Your Honour was appointed as Senior Judicial Registrar in the Cairns Registry, ably assisting Judge Cope, as has already been indicated.
“The Townsville Registry is an incredibly important registry in this Court, for our Court and for the people of Australia as it serves families living across regional and rural North Queensland.
“Our regional registries ensure the Australian communities have access to the court services in their own communities.
“Our regional registries are essential to serve and continue to serve and support families during an incredibly vulnerable and difficult and stressful time in their lives.”
The Chief Justice said the work undertaken by the courts in regional and rural areas equated to about 25 per cent of the work done in the total family law load across Australia.
“We are aware of the challenges litigants and legal practitioners in rural and regional communities face across Australia and Your Honour’s appointment as a family law judge to such an important registry is warmly welcomed,” he said.
His Honour acknowledged that Judge Jenkins had already hit the ground running in Townsville due to his significant experience and legal skills.
“Your Honour is well aware of the families in this Court do not only require your fair judgment and expertise but your care, your attention and your compassion. I have no doubt this will always be the front of your mind.”
One Response
His Honour has omitted one critical fact from his address…did he get a replacement bike?
Congratulations on your appointment!