On International Women's Day, the ACT is celebrating the women who have shaped and will continue to guide the ACT Supreme Court, as her Honour Lucy McCallum is sworn in as the ACT's new Chief Justice.
"Today is the changing of the guard at the ACT Supreme Court, as we farewell and thank former Chief Justice Helen Murrell for her dedication and work as the ACT's most senior judicial officer since 2013. We also welcome the new Chief Justice of the ACT Supreme Court, Lucy McCallum, ahead of her ceremonial swearing in this morning," Attorney-General Shane Rattenbury said.
"Her Honour Chief Justice Murrell was the first woman appointed as the ACT Supreme Court Chief Justice. Under her leadership of the ACT Supreme Court, the Drug and Alcohol Sentencing List was established, new case management and listing practices saw a significant reduction in hearing delays, and the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic for the court were successfully navigated.
"These adaptations in procedure have amounted to very real improvements in the lives of people coming before the Court, and they provide a fantastic basis to continue this legacy.
"The ACT Supreme Court has been well-guided by her leadership over the past nine years. I extend my sincere thanks to Her Honour for her outstanding contributions to our court and I wish her the best in her well-earned retirement.
"I would also like to welcome ACT's sixth Chief Justice, Chief Justice McCallum, who will be sworn in this morning. I am delighted with the calibre of judicial excellence that Chief Justice McCallum brings with her.
"Chief Justice McCallum's passion for reducing the overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the justice system will be of great assistance in improving the way we do justice in the Territory.
"Chief Justice McCallum comes to the ACT after an extensive legal career, having been appointed as a judge of the NSW Supreme Court in 2008 and the NSW Court of Appeal in January 2019.
"I look forward to her leadership of the ACT Supreme Court."
