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Two new judges take to Qld District Court
The District Court of Queensland has announced the appointments of two new judges.
Emma Musgrave
Queensland Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Yvette D’Ath welcomed barristers Catherine Muir and Nicole Kefford to their new judicial roles.
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Ms D’Ath noted they were the first judges to be appointed under the state government’s new protocol to ensure a “more consultative and accountable process for judicial appointments”.
“Ms Muir and Ms Kefford will bring more than 40 years’ legal experience to the District Court,” she said.
“Both will sit in Brisbane initially, before Ms Muir moves to Southport from the start of next year.”
Ms D’Ath said both Ms Muir and Ms Kefford were selected from a shortlist of candidates recommended by the Judicial Appointments Advisory Panel, chaired by retired judge Hugh Botting.
“The government is committed to ensuring that judicial appointments are made on merit in close consultation with the legal fraternity,” she said.
Ms Muir took to the bar in 2001 and brings to her new judicial role diverse experience in criminal and civil law.
Most recently, Ms Muir served as counsel assisting in the Barrett Adolescent Centre Commission of Inquiry.
Ms Kefford was admitted as a barrister in 2006. She specialises in environmental and planning disputes, alternative dispute resolution and public and administrative law.
Ms Kefford’s most recent work saw her serve as counsel assisting in the Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry.
