The Governor has appointed Mr Chris Shanahan SC as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Tasmania, and Judge Kate Cuthbertson SC as a puisne judge of the Supreme Court of Tasmania.
Mr Shanahan will commence in the role of Chief Justice on 20 January 2025 and Judge Cuthbertson will take up her position on 3 February 2025.
In line with the requirements of the Supreme Court Act 1887, the Hon Justice Alan Blow AO retired from the role of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Tasmania.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Guy Barnett, welcomed today's announcement.
"I congratulate and warmly welcome both Mr Shanahan and Judge Cuthbertson on their appointments to these important roles and look forward to their commencement," the Attorney-General said.
"Mr Shanahan has had an extensive and esteemed career and is a remarkable fit for this current role, having had an exceptional legal career across Australia over a number of decades.
"He was admitted to the Supreme Court of Western Australia in 1984, to the Supreme Court of New South Wales in 1989 and the High Court of Australia in 1990, and he was appointed Senior Counsel in 2004.
"More recently, Mr Shanahan was Acting Commissioner of the Corruption and Crime Commission of Western Australia and a Senior Sessional Member of the State Administrative Appeal Tribunal.
"Judge Cuthbertson has similarly had a storied career, acting as a Judge of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia since August 2024.
"Up until then, she was Barrister at Law, then Senior Counsel (2022), with Malthouse Chambers for 14 years and Head of Chambers from 2014. She was a barrister and solicitor with the Legal Aid Commission of Tasmania for 10 years before that. Judge Cuthbertson was admitted in 1999.
"These appointments ensure the Supreme Court returns to a full complement of Judges and fills the vacancies created by the retirement of Chief Justice Alan Blow AO and the resignation of former puisne judge Gregory Geason.
"The positions were advertised nationally and both appointments have been made in line with the Protocol for Judicial Appointments, which includes consultation with key stakeholders.
"We have continued to strengthen and ensure our legal system is fit-for-purpose under our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania's Future, and a new Chief Justice will be pivotal in ensuring the ongoing success of this important institution."
The Attorney-General thanked Justice Blow for his work and esteemed contribution to not just Tasmania's justice system, but our entire State.
"Justice Blow has made an immense contribution to Tasmania – he has served as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Tasmania since April 2013 having first been appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court of Tasmania in 2000," the Attorney-General said.
