The Judicial College of Victoria extends its warm congratulations to the Honourable Justice Debra Mortimer on her appointment as the Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Australia.
This is a landmark moment in the country's legal system as she becomes the first woman to be appointed to this position since the Court's establishment in 1976. Justice Mortimer's judicial leadership, legal acumen, and intellectual capacity have earned her widespread recognition.
Justice Mortimer has been serving on the Federal Court since July 2013 and is based in Melbourne. Before her appointment, she was a member of the Victorian Bar and became a Senior Counsel in 2003. She remains a Senior Fellow at Melbourne Law School and a member of the Advisory Board of the Centre for Comparative Constitutional Studies.
Justice Mortimer's appointment as Chief Justice will take effect on 7 April 2023, succeeding the Honourable Chief Justice James Allsop AC, who has served the Federal Court with distinction. Chief Justice Allsop has spent over four decades in the legal profession, including several years as Chief Justice, and has contributed immensely to the Australian legal system. We extend our best wishes to Chief Justice Allsop for a fulfilling retirement.
As Justice Mortimer steps into her new role, we wish her all the very best in the next phase of her judicial career. You can view the media release following her appointment and the ceremonial farewell sitting for Chief Justice Allsop AC, which took place on Friday 31 March.