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Ex-solicitor-general named president of WA Court of Appeal
Former West Australian solicitor-general and barrister Joshua Thomson SC has been appointed president of the Court of Appeal and judge of the Supreme Court.
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Joshua Thomson SC (pictured) has been appointed president of the Court of Appeal of Western Australia and judge of the Supreme Court, where he began his judicial responsibilities on 11 June.
His appointment follows the retirement of Justice Michael Buss KC, who served on the Supreme Court bench for nearly 20 years, including nine years as president of the Court of Appeal.
Thomson began his legal career at the Crown Solicitor’s Office in Western Australia, where he served for seven years before being called to the Bar in 2001.
He then spent nearly 18 years as a respected member of chambers, practising across a wide range of areas, including contractual and insolvency disputes, as well as building and construction, maritime, insurance, administrative, and constitutional law.
In 2018, Thomson was appointed solicitor-general of Western Australia.
During his five-year tenure, he represented the state in several high-profile matters, including the government’s decision to close state borders during the COVID-19 pandemic and the enactment of the Iron Ore Processing (Mineralogy Pty Ltd) Agreement Amendment Act 2020 in its dispute with Clive Palmer.
Following the completion of his term as solicitor-general, Thomson returned to chambers in 2023.
Attorney-General Dr Tony Buti welcomed Thomson’s appointment, highlighting his distinguished record and extensive experience in the legal profession.
“I congratulate Joshua Thomson SC on his appointment as WA Court of Appeal president. As the solicitor-general, Mr Thomson appeared in high-profile proceedings, conducting himself with distinction. He advised the Premier, ministers and state entities on legal and legislative matters, and also reviewed draft legislation,” Buti said.
“He worked on multiple complex matters as a barrister, including a case involving a cyber attack and alleged breach of the Commonwealth Privacy Act, a construction and insolvency dispute involving international and national banks, and several receiverships.”
Drawing on a legal career spanning over 30 years, Buti described Thomson as “highly respected” within the legal community, noting that his extensive expertise “makes him eminently suitable to head the Court of Appeal”.
“I also take this opportunity to thank the recently retired president of the Court of Appeal, Michael Buss KC, for his outstanding service as a judge of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal over nearly two decades, including nine years as president,” Buti said.