Garling made the surprise announcement at the Australian Lawyers Alliance conference in Terrigal last week, emphasising the importance of effective case management in the civil jurisdiction.

"I am proud to say I am leaving at a time when the NSW District Court management system is one of the best - if not the best - in Australia," he said.

During his announcement, Garling spoke of numerous "heart-rending" cases on which he had worked, especially those relating to motor accidents and injured families who struggled to get by on a pension while their battles with insurance companies were being fought in the courts.

Garling has held the position since its creation over 15 years ago and will vacate the post on 25 June this year.