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Chief Judge of NSW District Court retires
Justice Derek Price has retired after more than 35 years at the bench.
Naomi Neilson
Justice Price will retire as Chief Judge of the District Court of NSW and president of the Dust Diseases Tribunal in late April.
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In his long and extinguished career, Justice Price sat on the bench of three NSW courts. He will continue to sit on the Court of Appeal.
“It has been an extraordinary privilege in my 35 years as a judicial officer to have been a head of three jurisdictions and a justice of the Supreme Court,” Justice Price said.
“I believe my career has shown that there can be successful promotion between all the courts and that the respective courts have much to learn from each other.”
Justice Price was appointed a magistrate of the Local Court in 1988, became an acting judge of the District Court in 2009 – which became permanent the following year – and was appointed Chief Magistrate of the Local Court in 2002.
In 2006, Justice Price became a judge of the Supreme Court, where he presided over a number of high-profile murder trials.
Justice Price became the Chief Judge of the District Court and president of the Dust Diseases Tribunal in 2014 and became an officer of the Order of Australia in the general division in 2010.
Attorney-General Michael Daley thanked Justice Price for his “extraordinary contribution”.
“Derek Price is a thoroughly decent man who has shown what can be achieved through hard work and determination,” Mr Daley said.
“His career has left an indelible mark on the judicial system of NSW. He has shown exceptional skill and talent to rise to the top of his profession – what a great story he is.
“He has shown that hard work and dedication really make a difference.”
