After three years of serving on the Supreme Court bench, Justice Fiona Seaward SC has been appointed to the Court of Appeal of Western Australia.
Effective from 5 January, Justice Seaward will fill the vacancy left by outgoing judge, Justice Robert Mazza, who served on the Supreme Court bench for 16 years, including 14 years at the Court of Appeal.
Commenting on the appointment, State Attorney-General Tony Buti said Justice Seaward is “highly regarded”, having gained extensive experience in litigation and high-level advice during her career.
“Her Honour’s intimate knowledge of the Supreme Court as a presiding judge in the court’s general division for almost three years will see her seamlessly transition to the Court of Appeal,” Buti said.
“I also thank the Honourable Justice Robert Mazza for his 16 years of service on the Supreme Court bench including the past 14 years as a judge of appeal and wish him well on his upcoming retirement.”
Prior to joining the bench, Justice Seaward served as counsel and a solicitor with the State Solicitor’s Office for 22 years.
Her roles included acting deputy state solicitor in the public and general litigation section and senior assistant state counsel.
Justice Seaward was a member of the senior management team and managed the public and general litigation team.
She appeared as counsel for the state and agencies in all courts and tribunals, including in the Perth Casino Royal Commission in 2021.”
“Justice Seaward’s appointment brings substantive gender parity in the Court of Appeal, which will soon consist of a male president and three female and three male judges of appeal,” Buti said.
