Prominent barrister appointed to Supreme Court

6/06/07
Barrister Andrew Beech SC has been appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court of Western Australia.
Attorney General Jim McGinty said 45-year-old Mr Beech was an outstanding legal practitioner who was much sought after as counsel and regularly consulted by the Commonwealth Government in public law matters.
"Mr Beech has practised in a wide range of commercial, public law and general civil litigation and in criminal trials," Mr McGinty said.
"There is strong consensus that he has the necessary intellect, experience, work ethic, personality and temperament to make an excellent judicial officer.
"It is also considered that he will provide additional strength on the commercial side of the general division of the court."
Mr Beech graduated from the University of Western Australia (UWA) in 1984 with first class honours in a Bachelor of Laws, winning the FE Parsons Prize for the outstanding graduand in the Law School.
He completed his articles at Northmore Hale (now Minster Ellison) and was admitted to practice in 1985.
The following year Mr Beech was awarded the prestigious Menzies Scholarship in Law that enabled him to attend Oxford University, from which he graduated in 1988 with a Bachelor in Civil Law.
On his return to Perth he worked with Parker and Parker (now Freehills) in the commercial litigation department, before joining the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in 1992 as crown prosecutor.
In 1994 he joined the Independent Bar and practised as a barrister at Francis Burt Chambers, becoming a Senior Counsel in 2004.
Mr Beech has also taught law and forensic advocacy for many years at UWA and has served on committees of the Law Society, Legal Practice Board and Bar Association.
He will take up his new position on June 25.
Attorney General's office - 9422 3000