The Victorian Government has appointed four new magistrates to help Victorians have their matters heard sooner.
Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes today congratulated Nicole Spicer, James FitzGerald, Matthew Page and William Parker on their appointments, which start from today.
Ms Spicer was a senior legal advisor at the Victorian Government Solicitor's Office (VGSO) since 2020, acting as Lead Counsel of Royal Commissions and Inquiries from 2022.
She led the VGSO legal team for the State response to the Yoorrook Justice Commission and has provided strategic legal advice to departments and agencies on a broad range of issues.
Ms Spicer served as co-chair of the criminal law section of the Law Institute of Victoria as well as teaching at Monash and Deakin universities. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from the University of Melbourne.
Mr FitzGerald has been a barrister since 2005, including seven years as a Senior Public Defender at Victoria Legal Aid from 2014 to 2021. He has previously been a solicitor at the Office of Public Prosecutions.
He holds a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice and a Bachelor of Laws from the Queensland University of Technology.
Working for more than 10 years in various jurisdictions, Mr Page has specialised in Criminal Law and has been a solicitor at Leanne Warren and Associates. Prior to this, Mr Page was a solicitor at Christmas and Sheehan in London and a paralegal at Slaughter and May in London.
Mr Page holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts from the Australian National University.
Mr Parker was at Tony Hargreaves & Partners Lawyers, regularly appearing in the Magistrates' Court and County Court jurisdictions. Prior to this, he was a solicitor at James Dowsley and Associates.
He holds a Master of Asian Studies, a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and a Bachelor of Arts from Monash University.
As stated by Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes
"These four highly qualified magistrates will strengthen our judiciary and ensure that our courts can continue to deliver just outcomes for Victorians."
"They bring a demonstrated commitment to justice and I am confident they will continue to serve the sector well."
