Two new Queen's Counsel appointed

20/12/94

Attorney General Cheryl Edwardes today announced the appointment of two new Queen's Counsel by the State Government.

"Mr John Gilmour and Ms Christine Ann Wheeler are to be congratulated on their appointments," Mrs Edwardes said.

"Queen's Counsel are appointed on the basis of competency upon the recommendation of the Chief Justice after full consultation with the Law Society, the Bar Association and other members of the Judiciary.

"Applicants for consideration come from both the Independent Bar and the Amalgam (Solicitors and Barristers).

"The purpose of the appointment of Queen's Counsel, as stated by a former Chief Justice, Sir Lawrence Jackson, was to advance the administration of justice and not to honour or enrich the individual.

"Mr Gilmour is an experienced legal practitioner who has appeared in substantial commercial and criminal cases both in Western Australia and in Victoria.

"He is a graduate of the Law School at the University of Dundee (formerly, Queens College, St Andrews University) where he obtained the Degree of Bachelor of Law in 1972.

"He was admitted as a solicitor in Scotland in 1975 and admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Western Australia in December 1976.

"In 1976 he worked for the law firm EM Heenan and Co becoming a partner two years later.

"From 1981 to 1989 he carried on the practice either in sole practice or with others in the firm of Gilmours with related names from time to time.

"In 1989 he joined the Independent Bar.

"Ms Christine Anne Wheeler is a well-regarded practitioner who in recent years has been engaged at a high level in constitutional and administrative law cases of considerable complexity in the High Court of Australia as well as the Federal Court and the Supreme Court of Western Australia.

"Ms Wheeler is a graduate of the Law School of the University of Western Australia where she obtained both her BJuris (Hons) and LLB.

"In 1978 she attended the London University where she obtained her Masters in Law (Distinction) and was admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Western Australia in December 1980.

"Ms Wheeler was the Professional Assistant to the then Solicitor General, Sir Ronald Wilson from 1976 to 1977.

"From 1981 to 1984 she was a Legal Officer with the Crown Law Department then taking the position of Assistant Crown Solicitor as the head of the policy and law reform unit.

"In 1988 Ms Wheeler became Senior Assistant Crown Solicitor/ the Assistant Crown Counsel.

"In May 1994 she became a member of the Independent Bar.

"Ms Wheeler is also a part-time Judicial Registrar of the Industrial Relations court and is a past President of the Women Lawyers of Western Australia."

Media contact:  Diana Russell Coote 421 7777