Top barrister named as new Chief Justice

04/04/06
Top Perth barrister Wayne Martin QC has been appointed as Western Australia's 13th Chief Justice.
Mr Martin succeeds Hon David Malcolm AC QC, who retired this year after more than 17 years in the role.
Attorney General Jim McGinty said Mr Martin was recognised as one of the leaders of the Bar, not just in WA, but nationally.
"Wayne Martin is one the country's top legal minds and has had an outstanding career in the law," Mr McGinty said.
"He is a forward-thinking practitioner who is eminently qualified to bring the courts into the 21st century.
"We want to see our courts modernised and made more accessible to the public so that the justice system is easily understood by all.
"Wayne Martin gives us the opportunity to ensure that our courts meet the justice needs of all of the community."
Mr Martin said it was a privilege to be appointed to the State's top judicial position.
"It is a great honour to have been given this opportunity to serve the people of WA," he said.
"I look forward to working with my judicial colleagues and the Government to make the justice system of this State more accessible, cheaper, quicker, more efficient, more relevant and comprehensible to all Western Australians."
Mr McGinty said Mr Martin's appointment came after extensive consultation with the judiciary and the legal fraternity including the former Chief Justice, the President of the Court of Appeal, the Law Society, the Bar Association and Government colleagues.
The Attorney General said Mr Martin's significant contribution to the development and reform of the law had set him apart from other highly qualified candidates.
Mr Martin graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Western Australia in 1973, before being awarded a scholarship to study the University of London (Kings College), where he completed a Master of Laws degree.
He was admitted to practise in WA in 1977, after completing his articles with law firm Lavan and Walsh.
In 1981 he joined Keall Brinsden Solicitors, (now Corrs Chambers Westgarth), as a litigation partner before joining the Bar in 1988.
Mr Martin is currently the president of Law Society of WA and a director of the Law Council of Australia. He has previously held positions as chairman of the Law Reform Commission of WA, president of the Administrative Review Council, chairman of the Defamation Law Reform Committee and president of the WA Bar Association.
As a barrister, Mr Martin has acted as counsel assisting the HIH Royal Commission and in many other major cases in a variety of fields, including commercial law, criminal law, defamation, personal injury and family law.
Mr McGinty said that Wayne Martin would take up his position as Chief Justice of WA on May 8.
Minister's office: 9220 5000