Five New Judges For Supreme Court And Court Of Appeal

The Andrews Labor Government today announced the appointment of five new judges to the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal.

Justice Terry Forrest has been appointed to the Court of Appeal having served as a Supreme Court judge for almost a decade. He was previously a barrister for more than 25 years, specialising in criminal law, personal injury and professional negligence matters and was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1999.

He will replace Justice Mark Weinberg AO, who retired in May after nearly a decade on the Court of Appeal.

Justice Karin Emerton has also been appointed to the Court of Appeal and has served for almost a decade as a judge of the Trial Division of the Supreme Court. From 2010–12 she was a member of the Victorian Law Reform Commission.

Before her appointment as a judge, Justice Emerton served for two years as Crown Counsel (Advisings) for the Victorian Government. From 1993–2007, she was a barrister at the Victorian Bar.

She will replace Justice Robert Osborn, who retired in June after more than six years of service on the Court of Appeal and nearly a decade on the Supreme Court.

Lesley Taylor QC has been appointed to the Supreme Court and has served as a criminal law and human rights specialist, with twenty years’ experience appearing in high profile cases and inquiries internationally.

Ms Taylor will replace Justice Lex Lasry, who retired in June after more than a decade at the Supreme Court.

Steven Moore QC has been a barrister for two decades, representing individuals, employers, unions, regulators and governments in matters involving employment, industrial, constitutional, contract and discrimination law.

He replaces Justice Karin Emerton, who is moving to the Court of Appeal after almost a decade at the Supreme Court.

Andrew Tinney SC has also been appointed after serving as a Crown Prosecutor in 2006 and as a Senior Crown Prosecutor since 2010.

Mr Tinney’s appointment fills a new position on the Supreme Court created as part of the Government’s $128.9 million investment in additional court capacity in the 2018-19 Budget.

Quotes attributable to Attorney-General Martin Pakula

“These three new judges and two elevations to the Court of Appeal bring experience to their roles across a number of legal fields including constitutional, employment and criminal law – and I congratulate them on their appointments.”

“I would like to thank Justice Lasry for his service as a Supreme Court judge over more than a decade.”

“I would also like to thank Justice Osborn and Justice Weinberg for their dedication and service over many years on the Court of Appeal.”