Palaszczuk Government announces District Court appointment

Published Thursday, 03 March, 2016 at 05:00 PM

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Training and Skills
The Honourable Yvette D'Ath

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Yvette D’Ath today announced the appointment of David Kent QC as a judge of the District Court.

Mrs D’Ath said Judge Kent will fill the vacancy created by the recent retirement of Judge Nicholas Samios.

“I welcome Judge Kent’s appointment to the District Court of Queensland,” Mrs D’Ath said.

“Judge Kent’s career in the law spans more than 25 years, commencing in the Public Trust Office and Public Defender’s office. He was called to the bar in 1989 and has considerable experience in criminal law, personal injury matters, industrial hearings, and in the areas of administrative and commercial law.

“More recently, he appeared on behalf of the State of Queensland at the Commonwealth Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sex Abuse.

“Judge Kent has also served Queenslanders faithfully in his role as an Acting Commissioner of the CCC in 2015.

“I know that Judge Kent’s extensive experience and passion for the law will serve him well in his new role. I sincerely welcome and congratulate Judge Kent on his appointment.”

Mrs D’Ath said Judge Kent will be sworn in next week.

Media contact: 3719 7400