The Attorney-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, the Honourable Mark Dreyfus KC MP has today announced the appointment of Ms Alexandra Colquhoun, Mr Gregory Shoebridge and Mr Benjamin Zipser as Judges of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) (Division 2).
Judge Colquhoun and Judge Shoebridge have been appointed to the Sydney registry of the Court and Judge Zipser has been appointed to the Parramatta registry. All appointments will commence on 16 September 2024.
The Chief Judge of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2), the Honourable William Alstergren AO, said that the appointments of Judges Colquhoun, Shoebridge and Zipser are warmly welcomed.
"Judge Colquhoun comes to the Courts with a wealth of experience and expertise in family law, after serving most recently as the Executive Director of Family Law at Legal Aid NSW."
"Judge Shoebridge advocated exclusively for clients in the family law jurisdiction before being called to the Queensland Bar, where he was briefed for his specialist skill as a family law barrister and mediator."
"Judge Zipser comes to the Courts with significant experience across immigration, civil and commercial law, having been called to the Bar in Sydney in 1999."
"On behalf of the Court, I am delighted to welcome Judges Colquhoun, Shoebridge and Zipser to the Bench. Their Honours will play a critical part in the Court's commitment to providing access to justice to the people of Australia, and importantly, to the communities living across New South Wales," the Chief Justice said.
Biographical details:
Ms Alexandra Colquhoun
Ms Colquhoun graduated with a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Sydney in 1994 and a Master of Laws in Family Law and Dispute Resolution from the University of Technology Sydney in 2011. Her Honour has held senior roles with Legal Aid NSW, having joined the organisation in 1994, and serves as a member of the Law Society of NSW Family Law Committee.
Mr Gregory Shoebridge
Mr Shoebridge holds a Bachelor of Laws, a Bachelor of Business (Accountancy) and a Master of Laws, all from Queensland University of Technology. His Honour was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Queensland in 1996 and called to the bar in 2008.
Mr Benjamin Zipser
Mr Zipser holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of New South Wales, as well as a Bachelor of Civil Law from the University of Oxford. His Honour is an author of the text 'Professional Liability in Australia' and was called to the bar in 1999.
