New Queensland court appointments

The appointment of a new Court of Appeal Judge, a new Supreme Court Judge and two new District Court Judges have been approved by Executive Council today, Attorney-General Kerry Shine said.

Mr Shine said current Supreme Court Justice John Muir would be elevated to the Court of Appeal to fill the additional position created in the State Budget last month for the Court.

“Justice Muir was appointed to the Supreme Court in 1997. He also served as a chairman of the Queensland Law Reform Commission,” Mr Shine said.

“I congratulate Justice Muir on his appointment to the Court of Appeal after his decade of service to the Supreme Court.”

“Prior to his appointment to the Supreme Court, Justice Muir practised as a barrister and he was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1986.”

Mr Shine said last month’s Budget provided funding an additional position on the Court of Appeal to maintain its performance and efficiency. Funding was also allocated for an additional District Court Judge and an extra Magistrate.

“I am determined to ensure Queensland’s courts are efficient and accessible. New judicial positions are important for our courts to meet growing workloads due to our strong population and economic growth,” Mr Shine said.

Leading Brisbane barrister Martin Daubney SC has been appointed to the Supreme Court. Mr Daubney has served as the Bar Association of Queensland president.

Mr Daubney was admitted as a solicitor in 1987, and admitted to the Bar in 1988. In 1994, Mr Daubney was admitted as barrister and solicitor in Fiji. Since 1997, he has been accredited as a mediator and he has participated in the settlement of many disputes. In 2000, Mr Daubney was appointed Senior Counsel.

“Mr Daubney will bring to the Court his extensive experience at the Bar where he has maintained a broad practice featuring commercial, corporate, insolvency, trade practices, property, insurance and construction law,” Mr Shine said.

In 2004-05, Mr Daubney chaired a Commission of Inquiry into certain allegations of corruption and maladministration in the horse racing industry in Queensland. Fellow commissioner Tony Rafter SC was appointed to the District Court in December last year.

“As chair of the Queensland Thoroughbred Racing Inquiry, Mr Daubney ensured the inquiry comprehensively investigated allegations in this major Queensland industry.”

Brisbane-based barrister Terry Martin SC and prominent solicitor David Searles have been appointed to the bench of the District Court.

“Mr Martin was admitted to the Bar in 1977, and he was appointed Senior Counsel in 1996,” Mr Shine said.

“Mr Martin has extensive criminal law experience and he has prosecuted on behalf of the State and Commonwealth.”

“Prior to his admission to the Bar, Mr Martin was an Associate to former Chief Judge Shanahan in Rockhampton (1973 to 1975) and an Associate to retired Judge Kimmins.”

“Mr Searles is a partner of the Deacons law firm, and a former partner of McCullough Robertson.”

“Mr Searles works in the area of commercial dispute resolution and as a mediator, he has assisted to resolve disputes in areas as diverse as construction, partnership, joint ventures, franchising, employment and workplace relations and body corporate governance.”

“In addition, Mr Searles has been a Director of the Queensland Law Foundation since 2004 and he served as the Queensland Law Society appointee to the Supreme Court Library Committee since 2002.”

Swearing-in ceremonies for each of the appointees are expected to be held in Brisbane next week.

12 July 2007
Media contact: Kirby Anderson (Mr Shine’s office) 3239 6400