The Attorney-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, the Honourable Mark Dreyfus KC MP today announced the appointment of Judge Elizabeth Boyle, Mr Mark Anderson and Dr Juliet Behrens to Division 1 of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA).
Mr Mark Anderson has been appointed to the Parramatta Registry and Judge Elizabeth Boyle and Dr Juliet Behrens have been appointed to the Sydney Registry of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1). They will commence on 5 August 2024.
Chief Justice, the Honourable William Alstergren AO, said that the announcement of three appointments to the Court are warmly welcomed.
"Judge Boyle has served as a Judge in Division 2 of the FCFCOA since 2016 and will bring deep knowledge and experience in her Honour's elevation to Division 1 of the Court.
"On behalf of the Court, I congratulate Judge Boyle on her well-deserved elevation to Division 1 and I am delighted to welcome Mr Anderson and Dr Behrens to the Bench.
"Over the past few years, the Courts have implemented a significant number of reforms across the entire court system. These reforms have resulted in the reduction of delays, and importantly, have improved risk assessment processes and responses in cases involving family violence and other risks.
"These appointments will greatly assist in the Courts' objectives to provide safer outcomes and more timely access to justice for Australian families," the Chief Justice said.
Biographical details:
Judge Elizabeth Boyle
Judge Elizabeth Boyle has been appointed to the FCFCOA (Division 1) to fill the position formerly held by the Hon Justice Louise Henderson in the Sydney Registry. Her Honour was awarded a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws from the University of Sydney in 1988. Her Honour worked with the Legal Aid Commission of New South Wales in its Family Law Litigation section from 1990 to 1999 and was a solicitor advocate for four years. In 1999, her Honour was appointed as a Senior Registrar of the Family Court of Australia. In 2001, her Honour was called to the Bar, specialising in family law and children's care and protection. Her Honour was appointed to the Federal Circuit Court of Australia on 28 February 2016 and has been a Judge of that Court for the past 8 years.
Mr Mark Anderson
Mr Mark Anderson has been appointed to the Parramatta Registry to fill the position formerly held by the Hon Justice Hilary Hannam. Mr Anderson was awarded a Bachelor of Laws and Legal Practice from Flinders University in 2002. Mr Anderson was admitted to practice in 2002 where he worked in commercial practice in Adelaide and Melbourne. In 2009, Mr Anderson was called to the bar where he practised in family law, children's care and protection and regularly appeared in the appellate jurisdiction of the FCFCOA (Division 1).
Dr Juliet Behrens
Dr Juliet Behrens has been appointed to the Sydney Registry to fill the position formerly held by the Hon Justice Judith Anne Rees. Dr Behrens practised as a solicitor from 2009-2016 and an accredited mediator under the NMAS, specialising in family law. Dr Behrens was called to the Bar in 2017, where she has practised across family law, children's care and protection, and family provision in the Equity jurisdiction. Between 1991 and 2010, Dr Behrens was a legal academic at the Australian National University. Dr Behrens has authored many family law publications, including as co-author of Australian Family Law: The Contemporary Context. Dr Behrens is an Honorary Senior Fellow at the University of Melbourne and a long-standing member of the editorial board of the Australian Journal of Family Law.
