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WA silk named as District Court judge, 5 new State Administrative Tribunal members appointed
West Australian Attorney-General John Quigley has appointed a senior counsel as the newest judge on the state’s District Court and has appointed and reappointed five members of the State Administrative Tribunal.
Jerome Doraisamy
Alan Sefton SC is set to be the next judge for the District Court of Western Australia, replacing long-time judge Andrew Stavrianou, who has retired.
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Sefton has, the A-G’s Department said in a statement, worked for more than 30 years at the State Solicitor’s Office, becoming state counsel in 2020.
In that role, he has represented the West Australian government on a wide range of complex matters in multiple courts and appeared on behalf of and provided legal advice to ministers, departments, agencies, and instrumentalities.
Speaking about Sefton’s appointment, A-G Quigley (pictured) said: “I congratulate Alan Sefton SC on becoming a judge of the District Court of Western Australia. He has vast legal experience and is highly regarded in the legal profession. Over the course of his distinguished career at the SSO, Mr Sefton was extensively involved in demanding matters of the highest complexity, significance and sensitivity to the state.
“In addition, he was a former member of the Law Reform Commission and, among his other statutory appointments, had been chairperson of the Appeal Costs Board for the past 12 years. Mr Sefton will be a welcome addition to the District Court as it presides over a substantial caseload.”
His Honour commences in the role on 6 May.
Elsewhere, five women have been appointed, or reappointed, to the State Administrative Tribunal.
Dr Michelle Evans-Bonner, a former deputy dean of Curtin Law School and senior member of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, and Robyn Hartley, a former senior assistant state solicitor, have been appointed as a new full-time senior member and full-time ordinary member, respectively.
Further, former law firm partner Charmian Barton has been reappointed on a full-time basis, and former senior assistant state solicitor Carol Conley and Administrative Appeals Tribunal former full-time member Michelle East, who were previously full-time ordinary members, have been reappointed as part-time members of the SAT.
The appointments mean the tribunal’s non-judicial membership totals 30, including 23 women.
A-G Quigley said: “Congratulations to the newly appointed and reappointed members of SAT. All five women have strong legal backgrounds and have served in their respective careers with distinction.
“They will help fortify the tribunal’s member base and contribute to the proficient management of a significant workload.”
