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WA Children’s Court president reappointed
The Law Society of Western Australia and the state’s Attorney-General have both welcomed the reappointment of the Children’s Court president for a second term.
Naomi Neilson
District Court Judge Hylton Quail will return as president of the Children’s Court of Western Australia for his second term, Attorney-General John Quigley announced. Judge Quail, whose first term expires this month, will return for another three years.
These reforms have resulted in “dramatic improvements” in protection and care matters, in terms of increased resolution and improved efficiency, and the expansion of therapeutic court services, Mr Quigley said in a statement.
Judge Quigley has served as a District Court judge since January 2018 and was acting president of the Children’s Court when the then-president was on leave. He stepped into the role of president in March 2020.
Prior to this, Judge Quail practised primarily as a criminal lawyer for 25 years, including nine as a barrister. He has also served as president of the Law Society of Western Australia and a director of the Law Council of Australia.
On behalf of the Western Australian legal community, Law Society president Rebecca Lee congratulated Judge Quail on his reappointment.
“The Children’s Court of Western Australia performs important work, dealing with offences alleged to have been committed by young people aged 10 to 17 years and also with protection and care applications for children under the age of 18 years. In the time of COVID-19, continuity in the role of president has a distinct benefit.
“The society looks forward to continuing to work with Judge Quail in this important role,” she said.
Naomi Neilson
Naomi Neilson is a senior journalist with a focus on court reporting for Lawyers Weekly.
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