- Sarah Wisbey appointed as a new Magistrate of the Magistrates Court of WA
- She has a strong legal background as a long-time State prosecutor
Finance Minister Sue Ellery on behalf of the Attorney General is pleased to announce the appointment of Sarah Wisbey as a Magistrate of the Magistrates Court of Western Australia.
She joins the judiciary after serving for many years as a State prosecutor at the WA Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
The new appointment increases the number of Magistrates presiding in the Magistrates Court as it manages an increasing workload.
Admitted to practice in 1999, Ms Wisbey has spent much of her legal career working at the ODPP dating back to August 2002.
Ms Wisbey has wide experience from her service in the ODPP, including at one time as a member of the ODPP's Dangerous Sexual Offender Team, responsible for referrals and applications to the Supreme Court.
She has served as a State prosecutor on an ODPP Trial Team that provided advice and appeared in the District and Supreme courts for trials, directions hearings and contested bail applications. Ms Wisbey has also served as a prosecutor on the ODPP's Early Resolution Team, which reviewed matters identified as capable of resolution before trial.
Ms Wisbey starts as a magistrate on 7 October 2024.
As stated by Finance Minister Sue Ellery:
"I welcome Sarah Wisbey to the position of Magistrate in the WA Magistrates Court.
"As an experienced State prosecutor with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, she has gained detailed understanding of criminal law, rules of evidence and court procedure.
"Ms Wisbey has dealt with a range of criminal matters on behalf of the State during her time at the ODPP.
"Her addition to our pool of sitting Magistrates will help the court continue to effectively preside over a growing caseload."
