New Court And OPP Appointments

Kerri Judd KC has been appointed to the Supreme Court of Victoria, with Brendan Kissane KC appointed as the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and Diana Piekusis KC appointed as Chief Crown Prosecutor (CCP).

Ms Judd’s appointment as a judge of the Supreme Court follows the retirement of Elizabeth Hollingworth after more than 20 years on the bench.

Ms Judd was the first woman in Victoria to become the DPP, a role which she has held since 2018. Prior to this, she briefly served as Acting CCP and Senior Crown Prosecutor.

As the DPP, Ms Judd has led and advised on several high-profile cases and introduced significant reforms focused on improving internal procedures for decision-making and victim support.

From 1991-2016, she practised as a barrister at the Victorian Bar, including as senior counsel from 2007, regularly appearing in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and High Court in criminal, appellate and common law matters.

During this time, she also appeared for the State of Victoria in several inquiries and royal commissions, and as counsel conducted several law reform reviews on behalf of the Victorian Government.

Mr Kissane was appointed the CCP in 2018 and has acted as the DPP during this time. Prior to his appointment as CCP, he was a Senior Crown Prosecutor from 2015, and Crown Prosecutor since 2007.

Mr Kissane was the first Crown Prosecutor assigned to Geelong, where he oversaw the first two years of operations of the local OPP from 2009 to 2011.

Prior to his career at the OPP, Mr Kissane practised principally in criminal law at the Victorian Bar, having signed the Bar Roll in 1985. He was also a tribunal member of the Refugee Review Tribunal from 1995 to 2002 and served as a Director on the Victorian Sentencing Advisory Council from 2015 to 2023.

Ms Piekusis was appointed Senior Crown Prosecutor in 2019 and worked as a Crown Prosecutor since 2009. During this she has acted as the DPP, and as CCP.

Prior to her appointment at the OPP, Ms Piekusis appeared as a barrister in relation to criminal matters from 2003 to 2009 in all of Victoria’s courts. She worked at Victoria Legal Aid from 1998 to 2003, including as an associate public defender.

Quotes attributable to Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes

“Kerri Judd KC has proudly served the Victorian community as the Director of Public Prosecutions, and I congratulate her on her appointment to the Supreme Court of Victoria.”

“With a long and distinguished career in the Victorian legal sector, Brendan Kissane KC will bring exceptional experience to his role as Victoria’s new Director of Public Prosecutions.”

“As Victoria’s new Chief Crown Prosecutor, Diana Piekusis KC will bring a demonstrated commitment to justice and fairness to her new role.”