The Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory has a new Chief Justice. Helen Murrell SC will be sworn in at a ceremony in Canberra today. The former New South Wales District Court Judge will be the ACT Supreme Court’s first female Chief Justice.
“Judge Murrell SC has been a NSW District Court Judge since 1996. Judge Murrell SC brings 17 years extensive experience in both criminal and civil matters. Her Honour will provide strong leadership to the ACT Supreme Court as Chief Justice”, said ACT Attorney-General Simon Corbell.
She has previously served as President of the NSW Equal Opportunity Tribunal, and set up New South Wales’ first Drug Court. Murrell has also worked in the then Commonwealth Crown Solicitor’s Office and the NSW Legal Aid Commission. Her main areas of practice are criminal law, administrative law, environmental law, common law and equity.
She succeeds Chief Justice Terence Higgins who retired last month after 23 years with the ACT Supreme Court, including 10 as the Territory’s Chief Justice.