A ceremonial sitting was held at the Albury Courthouse this morning to celebrate the opening of the Law Term and the arrival of the region's first permanent District Court Judge Sean Grant.
The Albury-Wodonga educated and raised judge is the first full time resident District Court judicial officer to sit at Albury and Griffith.
Member for Albury Justin Clancy said Judge Grant's background in Albury and the region will benefit the community.
"Judge Grant had a successful career as lawyer on both sides of the Murray and has appeared in most court jurisdictions right up to the High Court. I am pleased to welcome him back to Albury," Mr Clancy said.
Attorney General Mark Speakman congratulated Judge Grant, and said it was great news that his Honour was now sitting on the bench.
"Judge Grant will be based in Albury and will travel between the two inland cities helping to reduce court backlogs and deliver faster outcomes for victims and their families in the region," Mr Speakman said.
The ceremonial sitting was organised by the Albury and District Law Society and was attended by lawyers, police, court staff and Local Court magistrates Richard Funston from Albury, Joy Boulis from Griffith and Miranda Moody from Wagga Wagga, as well as Acting Magistrate Tony Murray
Judge Grant said he is honoured to be the first resident judge of the District Court for Albury and Griffith.
"It is with great pride that I am back in the region where my legal career began," Judge Grant said.
"I am looking forward to working with the court and legal profession to provide justice for the communities of Albury and Griffith. I thank the Attorney General and the legal profession for their support."
Judge Grant was sworn in on 14 February 2019 and has spent the last 12 months presiding at the Sydney Downing Centre, Penrith, Parramatta, Bega and Wollongong, as well as Albury in October and November last year in preparation for his new role.
His Honour one of seven additional judicial officers to join the District Court since 2018. His appointment takes the number of full time NSW District Court judges to a record high of 75.
Download media release here: Ceremony for Albury's first resident judge
