Five WA legal practitioners appointed as Queen's Counsel

17/12/97

Attorney General Peter Foss today announced the support of State Cabinet of the appointment of five Western Australian legal practitioners as Queen's Counsel in and for the State of WA.

The appointments were made by His Excellency Major General Michael Jeffery, AC, MC, Governor of the State of WA.

Those appointed are:

NEIL WALTER McKERRACHER, born in Perth in 1951 and was educated at Scotch College and the University of WA. Admitted to practice in Western Australia in 1975 and joined the WA Bar Association in 1990 and has practised solely as a barrister. He has practised in a wide range of cases including commercial, equity, defamation, tax, property, trade practices and medical defence work. Appears regularly in the Supreme Court, Federal Court and District Court and is currently chairman of Scotch College Council.

THOMAS FRANCIS PERCY, born Kalgoorlie 1954 and educated at Scotch College and the University of WA. Admitted to practice in WA in 1977 and elected to the WA Bar Association in 1984. Joined WA Bar Chambers in 1988 and practised solely as a barrister in a wide range of complex criminal matters, mining and racing appeals. Appears regularly in the Supreme and District Courts. Member of various Law Society committees and is a Captain in the Australian Army Reserve (Legal Corps).

ROBERT ENOS COCK, born Perth 1956. Educated at Como Senior High School and the University of WA and admitted to practice in WA in 1979. Has worked in Crown Law and was appointed Assistant Crown Counsel 1984, Senior Assistant Crown Counsel in 1988 and appointed Crown Counsel for WA in 1988. Has practised in a wide range of industrial relations, civil, criminal and appellate matters. Appears regularly in the Industrial Relations Court, Supreme Court, Federal Court and High Court. He is also chairman of the Appeal Costs Board and a member of the WA Law Reform Commission.

CARMEL JOY McLURE, born Perth 1955 and educated at St Joachim and the University of WA. Admitted to practice in WA in 1980 and was assistant private secretary to the Commonwealth Attorney General from 1977-78, 1981-82. Joined the WA Bar Association in 1995 and practised solely as a barrister since that time in all areas of commercial litigation. Appears regularly in the Supreme Court, Federal Court and District Court and is currently a member of the International Legal Services Advisory Council.

PETER INNES JOOSTE, born Johannesburg 1943. Educated at St Johns College, Johannesburg, Rhodes University, Grahamstown and admitted to practice in South Africa in 1975. Admitted to practice in WA in 1987. Joined the WA Bar Association in 1995 and practised solely as a barrister since that time in all areas of corporations law and securities, takeovers and mergers, capital and company reconstructions and commercial. Appears regularly in the Supreme Court and Federal Court. Currently chairman of the International Business Council of WA.

Mr Foss said a long consultative process was undertaken before recommendations for Queen's Counsel were made.

"These include the Chief Justice, Chief Judge of the Family Court of WA, Deputy Chief Justice of the Family Court of Australia, Chief Judge of the District Court and Judges, Solicitor General, President of the WA Law Society, President of the WA Bar Association, President of the Women Lawyers' Association and President of the WA Industrial Relations Commission," the Minister said.

"I congratulate the five recipients on becoming Queen's Counsel in and for the State of WA."

The Minister has also announced the appointment of his honour Judge JOHN GERARD BARLOW of the District Court of WA as a Judge of the Family Court of WA.

"Judge Barlow will replace the honourable Justice A J BARBLETT, who has taken long service leave prior to his retirement in August, 1998," Mr Foss said.

His Honour Judge Barlow has been a Judge of the District Court of WA since 1988 and will retain his commission as a Judge of that Court when he is appointed as a Judge of the Family Court in February, 1998.

Media contact: Chris Morris 9321 2222