- Peta Stilgoe appointed President of the Land Court of Queensland
- Brisbane Barrister Nicholas Loos appointed Member of the Court
Highly respected commercial litigation specialist and current Land Court member, Peta Stilgoe OAM, has been appointed President of the Land Court of Queensland.
President Stilgoe has been a member of the Land court since 2017 and acting in the role of President since May 2023.
Called to the Bar in 1984, President Stilgoe created Planning and Environment Court history when she was appointed as the first ever Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Registrar in 2007 and introduced court facilitated mediation to the jurisdiction. The position was initially a 12-month trial but was made permanent following its success.
President Stilgoe left the role of ADR Registrar in 2009 to become a member of the newly created Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT), where she was again pivotal in introducing innovative and effective ADR processes. Her Honour served as a Senior Member of QCAT from 2012 until 2017.
In 2013, President Stilgoe's contributions to ADR were further recognised when she was awarded an OAM for services to dispute resolution.
Outside of the legal profession, Her Honour is a past Director and Chair of the Vasey Housing Auxiliary, past Director of RSL Care, past Director of St Michael's College and former Board Member of the Imaginary Theatre company in Brisbane.
Prominent Brisbane Barrister Nicholas Loos has been appointed as a full-time member of the Court.
Member Loos, who was called to the Bar in 2010, has built a distinguished legal career appearing in all courts in Queensland, particularly the Planning and Environment Court and Land Court.
As a Barrister in Lucinda Chambers, his Honour has a broad-ranging advisory practice and is experienced in representing clients in alternative dispute resolution.
Member Loos is an active member of the Queensland Environmental Law Association and has delivered important papers at several of the Association's annual conferences.
Since 2014 his Honour has been included on Doyles list of leading planning & environment barristers and in 2024, was awarded the ranking of "Preeminent" on the list.
Both appointees have started in their new roles.
As stated by the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Yvette D'Ath
"President Stilgoe and Member Loos have each built outstanding legal careers and are very well qualified for their respective positions.
"Member Stilgoe has already had lasting influence on the Land Court of Queensland through her pioneering use of alternative dispute resolution which remains a valuable service offered by the Court.
"Her Honour is highly regarded by her peers, judicial officers, practitioners and expert witnesses for her mediation skills as well as her experience in planning and environment matters.
"Mr Loos is widely respected as one of Queensland's leading planning and environmental barristers and brings a wealth of experience to the court.
"He has previously appeared in important cases involving state and local heritage, development for significant sites, the development and maintenance of mining infrastructure and enforcement actions involving allegations of serious environmental harm.
"I congratulate both on their appointments and wish them well in their new roles."
