Login
NSW District Court welcomes 3 new silks
Three prominent barristers who bring over 80 years’ combined experience will take to the District Court of NSW this month.
Emma Musgrave
Andrew Coleman SC, Craig Smith SC and Tanya Smith SC have been appointed to the NSW District Court, replacing retired judges Michael Bozic, Anthony Blackmore and Laura Wells.
To continue reading the rest of this article, please log in.
Create free account to get unlimited news articles and more!
Mr Smith will be sworn in on Monday, 8 March, Mr Coleman on Monday, 15 March and Ms Smith on Monday, 29 March.
Mr Coleman has been practising in both Australia and England for over 30 years, and took to the bench in 2010. Throughout his career he has specialised in commercial, insurance and sports law. Mr Coleman was appointed as senior member (part-time) of NCAT in 2014, hearing matters and appeals in the Consumer and Commercial Division, in the Occupational Division and on the Appeal Panel, a statement from the A-G’s office explained.
Mr Craig has been a legal practitioner for 20 years, taking silk in 2014. Throughout his career he has predominately practised in criminal law. He has appeared in trials in the District Court and the Supreme Court and in appeals in the Court of Criminal Appeal.
Meanwhile, Ms Smith was appointed senior counsel in 2019. She has worked for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for 23 years, most recently as acting deputy Director of Public Prosecutions.
In announcing the new appointments, Attorney-General Mark Speakman said the “depth and range of experience shared ... will be great assets to the jurisdiction when they ascend the bench in March”.
“All three have had impressive legal careers, clocking up more than 80 years collectively in criminal, civil, coronial and tribunal matters, acting in complex trials, appeals and inquests in state and federal jurisdictions,” Mr Speakman said.
