New Supreme Court Judge appointment approved

Brisbane-based barrister Duncan McMeekin SC has been appointed to the bench of the Supreme Court of Queensland.

Attorney-General Kerry Shine said Executive Council today approved Mr McMeekin’s appointment to the Supreme Court from 15 October.

Mr McMeekin will transfer to Rockhampton to take up the appointment of Central Judge from 14 January next year when Justice Peter Dutney transfers to Brisbane. Justice Dutney has served as Central Judge since 2000.

Mr McMeekin was admitted as a barrister in 1977, and he practised in central Queensland until 2002.

Mr McMeekin was appointed Senior Counsel (SC) in 1998. He has practised at the Bar in Brisbane from 2003 to 2007.

Mr Shine said Mr McMeekin’s work as a barrister in Rockhampton and his service to the community meant his appointment as Central Judge would, in many ways, be a “homecoming”.

“During his life in Rockhampton, Mr McMeekin was chairman and trustee of the Rockhampton Girls’ Grammar School, a trustee of the Rockhampton Art Gallery, chairman and member of the Rockhampton and Districts Rugby Union judicial committee, and a vice-chairman and committee member of The Rockhampton Club,” Mr Shine said.

Mr Shine said Mr McMeekin’s areas of practise have included criminal, family and civil disputes law as well as civil law, principally personal injury, commercial and insurance law.

“He has served as a Country Member on the Committee of the Bar Association of Queensland,” Mr Shine.

Mr McMeekin obtained Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Laws (Honours) degrees from the University of Queensland.

The Central Judge is based in Rockhampton. The Central Judge is also responsible for circuit courts in Mackay, Bundaberg and Longreach and sits on the Queensland Court of Appeal in Brisbane each year.

6 September 2007
Media contact: Kirby Anderson 3239 6400 or 0418 197 350
kirby.anderson@ministerial.qld.gov.au