New District Court judges named

5/2/04
Attorney General Jim McGinty today announced the appointment of prominent Perth Barristers Jane Crisford SC, Robert Mazza and Philip Eaton as District Court judges.
They will replace former Chief Judge Kevin Hammond, now heading the new Corruption and Crime Commission, Judge Lindy Jenkins who has been appointed to the Supreme Court and Judge Alton Jackson who is retiring.
Jane Crisford SC - was admitted to practice in 1978, working as a solicitor at Parker & Parker before becoming a partner in Key & Crisford in 1981 - one of the first all female legal partnerships established in Western Australia. In 1985 she joined the Aboriginal Legal Service as officer in charge of the West Kimberley office and headed the ALS Royal Commission unit for the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. In 1988 she became a partner in Dwyer Durack, and since 1998 has practised exclusively as a barrister. Ms Crisford was appointed Senior Counsel in 2002 and is currently President of the Equal Opportunity Tribunal.
Robert Mazza - was admitted in 1981, working with the firm of James Mazza & Co, and then with Mazza, McCallum & Robinson, becoming a partner in 1984. In 1997, he established the firm of Mazza & Mazza with his late father, where he has practised almost exclusively as a criminal lawyer, predominantly for the defence, but including prosecutions on behalf of the State Director of Public Prosecutions. He is currently a Deputy President of the Equal Opportunity Tribunal.
Philip Eaton - was admitted in 1975, working initially in the Pilbara before returning to Perth to work with Godfrey Virtue & Co. He became a partner in that firm in 1982 until he left in 1988 to practise solely as a barrister. He has held appointments as a Commissioner of the District Court on four separate occasions and is a former President of the Western Australian Bar Association and the Criminal Lawyers Association. Mr Eaton was awarded the Centenary Medal in 2003 for Service to Australian Society and to the Law.
All three new judges will take up their appointments on February 9.
Attorney General's office: 9220 5000