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Esteemed Sydney barrister takes to Supreme Court bench

A Sydney-based barrister with 30 years of experience has been appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court of NSW.

user iconEmma Musgrave 10 September 2021 Big Law
Hament Dhanji SC
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Hament Dhanji SC has been appointed to the role, bringing with him three decades worth of legal experience to the bench. 

Mr Dhanji's appointment will come into effect on 20 September, replacing the Honourable Justice Robert Beech-Jones who was recently named the new Chief Judge of the common law division of the Supreme Court and a Judge of Appeal.

Mr Dhanji was admitted as a legal practitioner in 1990, called to the bar in 1997 and took silk in 2010. 

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Upon joining the profession, Mr Dhanji worked as a solicitor for Legal Aid NSW. 

Throughout his time as a barrister in private practice at Forbes Chambers, he appeared as lead counsel in many High Court matters and has appeared in approximately 350 cases in the Court of Criminal Appeal.

Appearing regularly in criminal trials and sentence proceedings, including in complex corporate crime matters, Mr Dhanji has conducted prosecutions on behalf of the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions. He has also appeared as counsel assisting the coroner and has represented clients before the Police Integrity Commission and the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption.

In announcing his appointment, Attorney-General Mark Speakman congratulated Mr Dhanji on his achievements, noting that his appointment sees him become the first Australian of Indian descent to serve on the NSW Supreme Court bench.

“I congratulate Mr Dhanji, whose ascension follows an accomplished career specialising in criminal law, appearing in various jurisdictions Australia-wide,” Mr Speakman said.

“Mr Dhanji has maintained a strong professional connection with Legal Aid NSW throughout his career by continuing to provide legal services to people who are socially and economically disadvantaged.”

The Asian Australian Lawyers Association (AALA) also congratulated Mr Dhanji on his appointment.

"The Asian Australian Lawyers Association (AALA) welcomes and applauds the appointment of the Honourable Hament Dhanji SC as a judge of the Supreme Court of NSW and would like to extend its heartiest congratulations to him. This is a significant appointment as he is the first Australian of Indian descent to be appointed to the NSW Supreme Court and one of only a few Australians with Asian heritage to be appointed as a judge of an Australian superior court," the body said.

"AALA is the first incorporated association in Australia to focus on the growing number of Asian Australian lawyers in the profession, as well as other lawyers with an interest in Asia. AALA's mission is to advance cultural diversity in the legal profession and beyond and connect lawyers with an interest in Asia. The importance of increased cultural diversity in the legal profession cannot be underestimated. Where the makeup of our judiciary is reflective of our Australian demographic, the litigant is likely to have greater faith in the dispensation of justice.

"AALA has been vocal in our advocacy for more diversity in judicial appointments and this appointment lends credence to our work. Though much still needs to change, this appointment will hopefully be the catalyst for many more diverse and meritorious appointments, and for a larger change in the makeup of our legal profession to reflect and represent the citizens we serve."

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