Senior Crown Prosecutor Appointed Chief Judge Of County Court

Attorney-General Martin Pakula today announced that Senior Crown Prosecutor Peter Kidd SC has been appointed as Chief Judge of the County Court of Victoria.

Mr Pakula acknowledged Mr Kidd as an outstanding candidate to lead Victoria’s largest trial court, bringing with him more than 20 years' experience as a criminal lawyer in Australia and overseas.

Mr Kidd, a Senior Crown Prosecutor at the Office of Public Prosecutions, has appeared in a number of criminal appeals and as Senior Counsel in some of Victoria’s most prominent criminal trials.

Mr Kidd previously acted as an International Prosecutor at the War Crimes Chamber of the State Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which investigated and tried war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide committed during the Bosnian conflict in the 1990s.

Mr Kidd was appointed Senior Counsel in 2011 and is a member of the Sentencing Advisory Council board. He previously worked as a solicitor for the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.

Mr Kidd holds a Masters of Laws from the University of Geneva, where he specialised in international humanitarian and criminal law, and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Adelaide.

Mr Kidd will commence the role of Chief Judge of the County Court on 28 September, replacing Acting Chief Judge Michael McInerney.

Mr Pakula recognised the work and contribution of former Chief Judge Michael Rozenes AO, who resigned from the court earlier this year.

The Andrews Labor Government will also bring forward legislation later this year to allow the Chief Magistrate to be appointed as a Judge of the County Court and the Chief Judge to be appointed as a Judge of the Supreme Court.

This legislation will strengthen collaboration within the court system. County Court judges are already appointed as Vice Presidents of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, and as heads of the Children’s Court and Coroners Court. The President of VCAT is a judge of the Supreme Court.

Quotes attributable to Attorney General Martin Pakula

“Mr Kidd is a standout candidate for the role of Chief Judge. He is a highly experienced prosecutor who will bring a wealth of expertise to this position.”

“I congratulate Mr Kidd on his appointment and look forward to his continued contribution to the Victorian legal system.”

“I thank Judge Michael McInerney who has been acting in the role of Chief Judge since April.”

“I also acknowledge the many years of distinguished service of Chief Judge Michael Rozenes to the legal profession in Australia and to the community, both as a barrister and judge.”