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Former judge to chair Legal Aid WA
Jane Crisford SC has been named as the new chair of the Legal Aid Commission of Western Australia, making her the first woman to hold the state role.
Melissa Coade
The silk and former judge was appointed to chair WA’s Legal Aid Commission for a three-year term commencing from 19 July.
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Ms Crisford took silk in 2002 and one year later was appointed president of the WA Equal Opportunity Commission. As a barrister, she was junior counsel representing Aboriginal families in the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.
WA Attorney-General John Quigley said that Ms Crisford brought to the role extensive experience in the judiciary, as well as high regard among the legal community from her time as as senior counsel, and work at the Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia.
“Ms Crisford has substantial prejudicial experience as a barrister and solicitor, a partner of Dwyer Durack and as the solicitor in charge of the Kimberley Office of the Aboriginal Legal Service of WA,” Mr Quigley said.
Ms Crisford sat on the bench of the District Court of WA from 2004 to 2006, and for the next 10 years as a judge of the Family Court of Western Australia and the Family Court of Australia.
“She has held a number of voluntary positions, including as a member of the Chief Justice’s Indigenous Committee, Women Lawyers Association of WA and the Australian Association of Women Judges,” the Attorney-General said.
“I thank Ms Crisford for taking on this role and commend her for her unwavering commitment to helping the most vulnerable in our community.”
