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Tony Zhang
Attorney-General John Quigley has appointed three new judges to the District Court of Western Australia in a move that bolsters the judiciary.
Attorney-General John Quigley has appointed three new judges to the District Court of Western Australia in a move that bolsters the judiciary.
Magistrates Martin Flynn, Gary Massey and Karen Shepherd have become new District Court judges. The appointments are effective from 3 August 2020.
The third appointment will fill a vacancy left by the resignation of her honour Judge Felicity Davis.
“On behalf of the wider WA legal profession, I wholeheartedly congratulate Magistrate Martin Flynn, Gary Massey and Karen Shepherd on their appointments,” Law Society president Nicholas van Hattem said.
“All three appointees have extensive experience in criminal law matters and their respective skill sets are highly relevant to the jurisdiction of the District Court.”
“They have shown a great commitment and made a valuable contribution to the legal profession in Western Australia and we wish them all the best in their important new roles as District Court judges.”
Mr Flynn was admitted to practice in 1987 and is a longstanding member and supporter of the WA Law Society.
He is a published academic who has lectured at universities both nationally and internationally and served as a magistrate in Western Australia for 14 years.
Mr Massey was admitted to practice in 1989 and joined the Law Society that same year.
He has over 30 years’ experience in commercial and criminal law, with much of that time spent on conducting criminal trials.
Ms Shepherd was admitted to practice in Western Australia in 1994 and spent several years practicing in the UK.
She also worked at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for a number of years and has extensive experience in criminal law.
“I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Magistrate Martin Flynn, Gary Massey and Karen Shepherd to the District Court,” Mr Quigley added.
“All three appointees are well qualified for appointment to the District Court and their academic, forensic and advocacy skills will be highly valued. I congratulate them on their appointment.”
