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NSW’s top judge to step down after more than a decade in job
NSW’s top judge has announced he will retire after almost 11 years in the job, saying the time was right for a new leader of the Supreme Court.
Chief Justice Tom Bathurst will step down from the role on March 5 next year.
Supreme Court Chief Justice Tom Bathurst in his office.Credit: Christopher Pearce
In a statement released on Thursday afternoon, he said it had been an “honour and a privilege” to have led the court.
“Although my enthusiasm for the role is undiminished, I believe that after more than a decade in office it’s time for the court to be reinvigorated and a new leader to be appointed to take the court into the future,” he said.
Chief Justice Bathurst said the court has had to respond to a series of new challenges during his time in the role, and has increasingly embraced the use of technology and social media.
“My successor, undoubtedly, will face new and presently unforeseen challenges in the years ahead,” he said.
“But one thing he or she can count on is the support of a highly skilled, committed and collegiate group of judges.
“I will be watching with interest from the sidelines, although I must confess I hope that is not all I have to do in occupying my time.”
Chief Justice Bathurst, now 73, was appointed to the role in 2011 and was previously president of the Australian Bar Association from 2008 to 2010.
He studied law at the University of Sydney and has a strong background in commercial law, having practised in areas of banking, equity, insurance, commercial, property, trade practices and competition law.
The Chief Justice took silk in 1987, only 10 years after being admitted to the bar.
Law Society of NSW president Juliana Warner said the Chief Justice had made a “significant and lasting contribution” to the service of the law.
“His honour is universally respected and has that rare mix of a brilliant intellect, common sense, humanity and good humour,” she said.
“In more recent times, the Chief Justice has displayed outstanding leadership in guiding our courts through the uncertainties of the pandemic.
“Our state has benefited enormously from his time leading the Supreme Court.”
NSW Attorney-General Mark Speakman said Chief Justice Bathurst had given “exemplary service” to the justice system over a long career and navigated the court through the challenges of the pandemic.
“His honour, supported by his hard-working fellow judges and very able Supreme Court staff, worked to keep the wheels of justice rolling, harnessing technology to ensure, where possible, proceedings continued in a COVID-safe manner,” he said.
“I am grateful for his honour’s helpful advice and candour since I became his fourth Attorney-General in 2017.”
Mr Speakman said the government would announce who the next Chief Justice will be “in due course”.
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