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Public defender appointed as District Court judge
A deputy senior public defender is set to join the bench of the District Court of NSW.
Jerome Doraisamy
Source: districtcourt.justice.nsw.gov.au
NSW Attorney-General Mark Speakman has appointed Sophia Beckett, a deputy senior public defender, to the bench of the District Court. She is set to be sworn in on 30 September of this year.
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Ms Beckett, who was admitted in 1990 and called to the bar in 2007, has worked for the Attorney-General’s Department, the Legal Aid Commission, spent a decade at Forbes Chambers and then joined Public Defenders.
“Ms Beckett has had a distinguished legal career spanning almost 30 years across all criminal court jurisdictions, appearing in complex criminal trials, appeals, inquests and inquiries including murder, drug importation and sexual assault matters,” Mr Speakman said.
“She acted for the Crown in the trial of Edward Moses Obeid for misconduct in public office and appeared for the defence in one of Australia’s largest terrorism investigations, arising from Operation Pendennis, which uncovered jihadist cells in Melbourne and Sydney.
“During her time at the Legal Aid Commission of NSW, the Western Aboriginal Legal Service and at the NSW Bar, Ms Beckett has championed equal access to the law.
“I congratulate Ms Beckett on her appointment and wish her every success in the next stage of what has been an impressive legal career.”
