Thursday, 8 May 2025
New magistrates a welcome boost to efficient justice
The appointment of seven new magistrates, including an expansion of the Local Court bench by an additional judicial officer, will help improve access to justice in the nation’s busiest court.
President of the Law Society of NSW Jennifer Ball, said the extra judicial capacity announced today, will help meet additional demand on the Local Court created through changes to the criminal law and historically large investments in law enforcement agencies.
“The Law Society welcomed the continuing growth of the Local Court bench, following the previous expansion by five magistrates announced in December 2024. These increases represent positive steps towards addressing the access to justice needs of a growing population,” Ms Ball said.
“I am particularly pleased that five of the seven appointees announced today are solicitor members of the Law Society, who together bring a total of 87 years’ of legal experience to the bench. I congratulate each of these accomplished legal practitioners as they embark on a new chapter in their careers.”
Ms Ball said each appointee will bring their own rich experience to the Local Court.
“Both Paul Blunt and Tania Johnson rise to the bench having attained Specialist Accreditation in Criminal Law. First Nations man Lucas Swan volunteered his valuable time on the Law Society’s Indigenous Issues Committee, and as our representative on the Local Court’s Specialist Family Violence List working group,” Ms Ball said.
“Simon Joyner served on both the Criminal Law and Ethics Committees. Marguerette Vassal comes to the bench from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, where she was Senior Solicitor on the Walama List Team,” Ms Ball said.
Ms Ball also extended her congratulations to barrister Kirk Dailly of Sixth Floor Windeyer Chambers and Ann Lambino, the long-serving Registrar at the Coroners Court of NSW and former Associate Member of the Law Society.
The Law Society will be represented at each of the swearing-in ceremonies later this month, by its Senior Vice President Ronan MacSweeney.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Damien Smith | Director, Media and Public Relations
The Law Society of New South Wales
M: +61 417 788 947 | E: [email protected]
