Thursday, 14 December 2017
The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates the Honourable Justice Katrina Banks-Smith and Mr Craig Colvin SC on their appointments as judges of the Federal Court of Australia with effect from 12 and 13 February 2018, respectively.
Justice Banks-Smith is currently a judge of the Supreme Court of Western Australia. Her Honour graduated from the University of Tasmania with a Bachelor of Laws in 1988, and from Cambridge University with a Master of Laws in 1993. Her Honour was admitted to practice in Tasmania in 1990 and, after joining Parker and Parker, was admitted to practice in Western Australia in 1991. Justice Banks-Smith became a partner at Parker and Parker in 1996, and a partner at Freehills (upon its merger with Parker and Parker) in 1997, where she headed the Perth Litigation Group for the firm from 2007 until 2009 when she joined the Independent Bar. Her Honour was appointed Senior Counsel in 2013, and as a judge of the Supreme Court in July 2016.
Mr Colvin SC is a leading senior commercial silk practising from Francis Burt Chambers. He graduated with a Bachelor of Jurisprudence and Bachelor of Laws from the University of Western Australia in 1982 and 1983, respectively, obtaining a Master of Laws degree from the University of British Columbia in 1993. Mr Colvin SC was admitted to practice in Western Australia in 1984, and became a partner of Clayton Utz in 1990. He joined the Independent Bar in 1995 and was appointed Senior Counsel in 2001. Mr Colvin SC is a former President of both the Western Australian Bar Association and of the Australian Bar Association.
Law Society President Alain Musikanth said, “The Law Society warmly congratulates Justice Banks-Smith and Mr Colvin SC on their appointments. Justice Banks-Smith and Mr Colvin SC are outstanding choices for appointment to the Federal Court, with each having an extensive background in commercial litigation at a high level. The Society has little doubt that Justice Banks-Smith and Mr Colvin SC will both bring to the Court the wealth of legal experience which they have accumulated over many years in practice, and will discharge their duties as members of the Court with distinction.”
The Law Society also congratulates Dr Christopher Kendall on his appointment as a judge of the Federal Circuit Court and wishes him well in his new role. Dr Kendall, a former President of the Law Society, is currently a Deputy President of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. His appointment takes effect from 29 January 2018.
All three appointments are to the Perth Registry and were announced by Federal Attorney-General the Honourable George Brandis QC today.
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For comment please contact:
Andrew MacNiven
Media and Communications Officer
(08) 9324 8634
amacniven@lawsocietywa.asn.au
About us: The Law Society of Western Australia is the peak professional association for lawyers in the State. The Law Society is a not-for-profit association dedicated to the representation of its more than 3800 members. The Law Society enhances the legal profession through its position as a respected leader and contributor on law reform, access to justice and the rule of law. The Law Society is widely acknowledged by the legal profession, government and the community as the voice of the legal profession in Western Australia.
