NEW JUDGE APPOINTED TO COURT OF APPEAL

Brisbane-based barrister Hugh Fraser QC was today appointed to the bench of the Appeal Division of the Supreme Court of Queensland.

Attorney-General Kerry Shine said Executive Council approved Mr Fraser's appointment to the Court of Appeal from 25 January, 2008.

"Mr Fraser is an eminent QC with twenty-eight years' experience at the Bar, and he will bring this valuable legal experience to the bench," Mr Shine said.

"He has practiced broadly at the Bar, appearing in his early days as a barrister in family law, criminal law, defamation, commercial law and personal injuries matters.

"In later years, he concentrated more on commercial litigation and advice, and has specialised in complex building and engineering arbitration and litigation.

"Since taking silk, Mr Fraser has appeared in a number of high-profile cases in the Queensland Court of Appeal, the Full Court of the Federal Court and the High Court."

He said Mr Fraser had appeared in most of the leading native title cases in the High Court, including Mabo v Queensland [No. 2].

"I congratulate Mr Fraser on his elevation to the bench," Mr Shine said.

Mr Fraser graduated with a Bachelor of Laws with Honours from the University of Queensland in 1979 and the same year was admitted to practise as a barrister. He took silk in 1992.

He is currently the President of the Bar Association of Queensland, a director of the Law Council of Australia, a member of the Council of the Australian Bar Association and the Honorary Treasurer of the Australian Bar Association.

24 January, 2008
Media contact: Tim Goodwin 3239 6400 / 0488 799 273