Esteem and experience mark new judicial appointments

Esteemed legal careers and a diverse wealth of experience are the hallmarks of six new judicial appointments, approved by Governor in Council this afternoon.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Jarrod Bleijie today welcomed the following appointments:

• Justice Anthe Philippides - Court of Appeal
• Martin Burns QC - Supreme Court
• Magistrate Terry Gardiner– Deputy Chief Magistrate
• Peter Hasted – Magistrates Court, Charleville
• Cathy McLennan – Magistrates Court, Southport
• Jeffrey Clarke – Magistrates Court, Emerald

“There is nearly 170 years of combined legal experience between these fine and eminent members of the legal profession,” Mr Bleijie said.

“The Honourable Justice Anthe Philippides has served the past fourteen years as a Judge of the Supreme Court with esteem, including serving as President of the Land Appeal Court and the Queensland Mental Health Court.

“The Court of Appeal is Queensland’s highest court, requiring extensive and meticulous knowledge of the law. With her qualifications and experience, Her Honour is well equipped for this very important role in our justice system.

“Her Honour’s place in the Supreme Court will be taken by Martin Burns QC who has diverse legal experience. A barrister for 23 years, Mr Burns has extensive criminal law experience and he has appeared as counsel in numerous Commissions of Inquiry, including the Queensland Floods, Child Protection and the Queensland Racing Inquiries. “

Mr Burns is also a member of the Queensland Bar Association’s Professional Conduct Committee and has acted as Chairman of the Australian Rugby League Judiciary for Test and State of Origin fixtures.

After two years of service at Charleville Magistrates Court, Magistrate Terence Gardiner will return to his home city of Brisbane and serve as Deputy Chief Magistrate, alongside Magistrate Leanne O’Shea.

His Honour is the current Chairperson of the Queensland Magistrates Criminal Law Committee and he has sat in courts throughout regional Queensland.

Barrister Peter Hasted will take up the Charleville position, vacated by Magistrate Gardiner. He is the Caboolture courthouse’s Senior Registrar, who manages the court registry’s daily operations. Mr Hasted has also sat as an Acting Magistrate on numerous occasions since 2001.

“I also welcome Cathy McLennan to the Magistrates Court, Southport. She has been a barrister for nearly 20 years with expertise in criminal law, succession, personal injury and family law,” Mr Bleije said.

“As well as her extensive law practice, she is well known for her dedication to vulnerable Queenslanders through her work with the Social Security Appeals Tribunal, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service and Women’s Legal Service.

“Jeffrey Clarke is a barrister and a proud Central Queenslander who, after a brief stint in Brisbane, will take up a position as a Magistrate in Emerald. He is a former member of the Bar Council and President of the Regional Crown Prosecutors and Victims of Crime Associations.

“The appointments follow extensive consultation with the legal profession and I congratulate and thank all our new members of the judiciary for agreeing to serve Queensland.

“Becoming a Judge is a civic duty which carries great responsibility and it is heartening that such esteemed members of the legal profession have agreed to take on these important roles.”

[ENDS] 18 December 2014

Media Contact: Ashley McDermid 0412 731 355 or Jaime Wells 0409 624 139