Geoffrey Miller QC appointed to the Supreme Court bench

29/7/98

Attorney General Peter Foss today announced the appointment of Geoffrey Miller QC to the Supreme Court bench.

Mr Miller, who will be sworn in on Monday, will replace Honourable Justice Franklyn, who will retire on August 1 after serving 14 years on the bench.

His appointment follows approval by State Cabinet and the Governor of Western Australia.

Mr Foss said Mr Miller's appointment had the full support of Chief Justice David Malcolm AC and followed extensive consultation by the Solicitor General with a variety of individuals and groups including the Law Society of WA, the WA Bar Association and the Women Lawyers' Association.

"Mr Miller is to be congratulated on his appointment and I am sure he will make a valuable contribution to the judiciary," the Attorney General said.

"His appointment has been warmly endorsed by his peers and WA's legal fraternity."

Mr Miller joins 16 other Supreme Court Judges, including the Chief Justice.

Mr Miller was admitted to practice in 1965 and has since practised extensively in the areas of criminal law and general common law claims.

In 1980, he joined the Bar, where he has undertaken significant counsel work in a wide variety of jurisdictions including the appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, Federal Court and in the High Court of Australia.

He has also acted as Counsel assisting in three Royal Commissions and on three separate occasions served as a commissioner of the Supreme Court. During 1997 he was appointed Special Investigator with the Anti-Corruption Commission.

Mr Foss also paid tribute to Justice Franklyn for his commitment to judicial work and wished him well in his retirement.

"I have no doubt that Justice Franklyn's contribution to the working of the Supreme Court is recognised by all members of the judiciary as well as legal practitioners," he said.

Media contact: Kirsten Stoney 9221 1377