The Attorney-General of Tasmania, The Honourable Guy Barnett, has announced the appointment of her Honour Judge Kate Cuthbertson SC as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Tasmania.
Justice Cuthbertson was appointed to the Melbourne Registry of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) on 5 August 2024 to fill a (then) newly funded migration position.
The Chief Judge of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2), the Honourable William Alstergren AO, said that the appointment was an exciting one.
"Whilst Judge Cuthbertson has only been on our Court for a short period of time, she has already proven herself to be a highly competent and hardworking judge, and will no doubt be extremely successful in her new role."
Judge Cuthbertson is previously from Tasmania, having been a member of the independent Bar and appointed silk in 2022. Chief Judge Alstergren said:
"Her Honour is well known in Tasmania and nationally as an excellent lawyer and a respected leader of the profession, earning the admiration of her colleagues.
Whilst we are very sad to be losing Judge Cuthbertson, we are thrilled for her and wish her all the very best."
The Courts also note the appointment of Chris Shanahan SC as Chief Justice of Tasmania. He is a highly respected and skilled leader in the profession. The Courts congratulate him on his appointment and look forward to working with him in the future.
Biographical details:
Judge Cuthbertson was awarded a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Melbourne in 1993 and a Bachelor of Laws with First Class Honours from the University of Tasmania in 1998. Judge Cuthbertson was admitted as a solicitor in 1999 where she worked with the Legal Aid Commission of Tasmania. Judge Cuthbertson was called to the bar in 2010 and was appointed Senior Counsel in 2022, where she practised across areas of professional discipline, estate, commercial, administrative, environmental, personal injury and professional indemnity matters.
James Milsom, Acting Director - Media & Public Affairs, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
