Next Court of Appeal President and significant judicial appointments announced

• The Crisafulli Government has announced the next President of the Court of Appeal, alongside new Supreme Court elevations.  
• Eight new Magistrates also appointed across Queensland, delivering faster access to justice.
• Appointments bring extensive legal and judicial experience to the bench and boost capacity of the justice system. 

The Crisafulli Government is strengthening Queensland's justice system with the appointment of two new Supreme Court Judges and eight new Magistrates, to boost the capacity of courts across the State and ensure victims’ matters can be heard sooner. 

Also announced today is the appointment of the Honourable Justice Shane Doyle as the next President of the Court of Appeal, alongside the elevation of two esteemed Judges to the Court of Appeal. 

The appointments to the Supreme Court are: 

• The Honourable Justice Shane Doyle (President of the Court of Appeal)  
• The Honourable Justice Declan Kelly (Judge of Appeal)
• The Honourable Justice Paul Smith AM (Judge of Appeal) 
• His Honour Judge Nicholas Andreatidis KC (Supreme Court Trial Division)
• Darlene Skennar KC (Supreme Court Trial Division)  

The appointments will fill upcoming vacancies on the Court arising from the appointment of Justice Thomas Bradley as Governor of Queensland from 1 November, and the retirement of Justice Debra Mullins as President of the Court of Appeal on 12 February next year. The two new Trial Division Judges will join the Supreme Court on 12 October this year. 

The Crisafulli Government has also delivered eight new Magistrates who will commence in October in court locations across Queensland.  

The new Magistrates appointments are: 

• Iris Gajic-Pavlica (Brisbane) 
• Michael Spearman (Bowen) 
• Scott Malcolmson (Caboolture/Caloundra) 
• Adam Dwyer (Cairns)
• Elisa Kidston (Brisbane)
• Elizabeth Daniels (Rockhampton)
• Sophie Robertson (Southport)
• Andrew Peel (Townsville) 

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Integrity Deb Frecklington congratulated the Judges and Magistrates on their well-deserved appointments.  

"Each appointee is a distinguished and highly skilled legal professional whose experience and expertise will strengthen Queensland's judiciary," the Attorney-General said. 

“I am pleased to announce the appointment of the Honourable Justice Shane Doyle as the next President of the Court of Appeal, alongside the elevation of the Honourable Justice Declan Kelly and the Honourable Justice Paul Smith AM as Judges of Appeal. 

“Together with the appointment of two new Supreme Court Judges and eight new Magistrates, these appointments will increase the capacity of our courts, help reduce delays and deliver on the Crisafulli Government’s commitment to ensure victims of crime can access justice sooner. 

"I thank the Judicial Appointments Advisory Panels for their careful consideration and recommendations, and I also thank Justice Debra Mullins and Justice Thomas Bradley for their outstanding service to Queensland on the Supreme Court and their significant contributions to the administration of justice." 

ENDS 

MEDIA CONTACT: Alyssa Martin 0481 749 350 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: 

Supreme Court Judges 

The Honourable Justice Shane Doyle has built a distinguished legal career over nearly three decades, with extensive experience in commercial litigation, arbitration, appellate and corporations law across Australia and overseas. A former President of the Queensland Bar Association and one of Australia's leading commercial King’s Counsel, he has made a significant contribution to the legal profession and also to the Court of Appeal, following his appointment in July 2025. 

The Honourable Justice Declan Kelly brings over three decades of legal experience and was appointed to the Supreme Court of Queensland in 2021. Justice Kelly has built an extensive career in commercial and appellate law, while also contributing to the legal profession through legal education and service on Queensland’s Incorporated Council of Law Reporting. 

The Honourable Justice Paul Smith AM has more than 40 years’ experience as a solicitor, barrister and Judge, with expertise in criminal law. Prior to his appointment to the Supreme Court, he served as a District Court Judge, the Judge Administrator and Acting Chief Judge. He has also had a distinguished military legal career, recently being promoted by the Commonwealth Government to Major-General and Judge Advocate General of the Australian Defence Force. 

His Honour Judge Nicholas Andreatidis KC brings more than three decades of legal experience, including extensive practice as a commercial litigator, King’s Counsel and District Court Judge, where he currently serves as one of the Court’s Commercial List Judges. Prior to joining the Bench, Judge Andreatidis appeared in significant matters across Australia, including several Commissions of Inquiry. He was also an active contributor to the Queensland Bar Association and Law Council of Australia. 

Darlene Skennar KC has a distinguished legal career spanning over 35 years, with extensive expertise in wills, estates, trusts, commercial and property law. A highly respected practitioner and mediator, she is recognised for her contributions in succession law and to various legal publications. She has also served on the Pharmacists Board and Surveyors Board of Queensland. 

Magistrates 

Iris Gajic-Pavlica was admitted as a lawyer in 2013 and has expertise in criminal law, family and guardianship law, child protection, domestic violence, human rights and administrative law. Prior to joining the private Bar, she spent more than a decade serving as a government lawyer, including as a senior lawyer with the Office of the Director of Child Protection Litigation, where she acted on behalf of the State in child protection proceedings. 

Michael Spearman brings more than 15 years of legal experience across criminal, civil and family law, and currently serves as an Acting Magistrate in the Townsville Magistrates Court. Through his extensive work as a practitioner with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service across regional and remote communities, he has developed a strong commitment to supporting regional Queenslanders through the justice system. 

Scott Malcolmson is an experienced legal practitioner who is currently serving as an Acting Magistrate of the Magistrates Court of Queensland, following more than 16 years at the Bar and a distinguished career with a broad practice in criminal, family, administrative, civil and commercial law. He has appeared in courts across Queensland and Australia and undertaken prosecution work for both the Commonwealth and Queensland Directors of Public Prosecutions. 

Adam Dwyer is a highly qualified legal practitioner with more than two decades of experience, admitted as both a barrister and solicitor, with postgraduate qualifications in law, criminology and business. He has built an extensive career in criminal law, holding QLS accreditation, and has held senior roles in private practice and also in the Queensland Police Service. Mr Dwyer has made a significant contribution to Queensland’s legal profession through legal education, professional leadership and his specialist criminal law practice. 

Elisa Kidston has more than two decades of legal experience, having practised as a solicitor since 2004, including as a Senior Associate at Clayton Utz. She has held several tribunal appointments, including as a General Member of the Commonwealth Administrative Review Tribunal and a Sessional Member of both the AAT and QCAT. Mrs Kidston has extensive expertise in administrative law and merits review, as well as a longstanding commitment to public interest law through her work with LawRight and various other professional organisations. 

Elizabeth Daniels is an experienced legal practitioner who commenced her career in the law following her admission in 2011. She currently serves as a Principal Legal Policy Officer with the Department of Justice instructing on significant criminal procedure legislative reforms, and serves as a member of the Legal Practitioners Admissions Board. Throughout her career, Ms Daniels has held senior legal and leadership roles in the public sector, including as a Senior Prosecutor in the Queensland Police Service, and has also made major contributions to criminal justice and DFV reforms. 

Sophie Robertson is an experienced litigation lawyer and Special Counsel of 15 years involved in commercial and civil litigation, defamation, privacy and media law, insurance disputes and regulatory and professional liability matters. She has also appeared for parties in criminal proceedings. Ms Robertson is recognised in The Best Lawyers in Australia for her expertise in defamation and media law, regularly appearing in courts across Queensland while contributing to the profession through legal education and advocacy. 

Andrew Peel is a highly experienced criminal lawyer admitted in 2009 who has appeared across the Magistrates, District and Supreme Courts. He holds extensive expertise in criminal law, including fraud, drug, traffic and property offences. Since 2012, he has served as a Director of Purcell Taylor Lawyers, building a strong reputation for his leadership and involvement in community organisations across North Queensland.