Tuesday 8 September 2015

Who is Catherine Holmes, Queensland's first female chief justice?

Extract from ABC News

Updated about 10 hours ago
Catherine Holmes has become Queensland's first female chief justice, rising to lead a judiciary which hopes to rebuild after a period of unprecedented bad blood.
Unlike her predecessor Tim Carmody, there have so far been no public attacks against Justice Holmes' appointment.
She has more experience in the judiciary's highest echelons, with years experience in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal.
She also ran the landmark Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry into the 2011 disasters.

Highlights of Justice Holmes' career:

  • 2015: Acting Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Queensland
  • 2006 - current: Court of Appeal judge
  • 2004-2006: Mental Health Court judge
  • 2000-2006: Supreme Court judge
  • 1999: Acting District Court judge
  • 1998-1999: Counsel Assisting the Forde Commission of Inquiry into Child Abuse
  • 1984-1986: Crown prosecutor
  • 1984: Admitted as a barrister

Justice Holmes was born in Brisbane in 1956 to a labourer and book keeper.
After finishing her high school education at the Oxley State High School in 1973, Justice Holmes went on to complete a master of laws and a bachelor of arts at the University of Queensland.
On 19 November 1984, she was admitted as a barrister and initially prosecuted criminals for the Crown.
She took silk on 15 December 1999.
Justice Holmes served as a founding member of the Women's Legal Service, a part-time member of the Anti-Discrimination Tribunal and deputy president of the Queensland Community Corrections Board.
She was counsel assisting the Forde Commission of Inquiry into Abuse of Children in Institutions in the 1990s and more recently the flood inquiry.
During the recent controversy under the rule of Justice Carmody, Justice Holmes remained quiet, while other current and former Supreme Court justices spoke out.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Justice Holmes, the state's 19th Chief Justice, will offer a fresh start.
"She is not only well qualified, she is a leader," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"The Supreme Court in Queensland has faced some tough times. Now begins a new chapter."

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