She was first appointed to the court in 2010, to the Court of Appeal in 2014, and made Chief Justice in October 2017.

Commenting on her retirement, Justice Ferguson said it “has been a privilege” to serve the Victorian community.

“I thank the judicial officers and staff from across this court, other jurisdictions and Court Services Victoria (CSV), together with the legal profession, for their commitment and dedication during my time as a judge of the Supreme Court,” Justice Ferguson said.

Justice Ferguson has served as chair of the Courts Council – the governing body of CSV – as well as other Victorian statutory entities and the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

The Chief Justice also served as chair of the Judicial College of Victoria and the Judicial Commission of Victoria.

Over the last few years, Justice Ferguson championed wellbeing and mental health across the legal profession.

In a keynote address at the National Wellness for Law Reform 2024, Justice Ferguson said one of the “core values” at the Supreme Court is its commitment to unity and wellbeing.

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“It underpins our purpose, which is to serve the community through just, independent and impartial decision making and dispute resolution,” Justice Ferguson said.

Justice Ferguson said it was important for senior members of the profession to speak out more because it “has a ripple effect”.

During the Law Institute of Victoria’s 2023 essential briefing on the state of the profession, Justice Ferguson said the prior three years taught her “we need to listen to, and learn from, varied experiences”.

“Each of us is responsible for looking after our wellbeing, but our systems and organisations have a big part to play as well.

“It is very important that firms and other legal organisations do all they can to put the right supports in place and create a working environment where people can be their best,” Justice Ferguson said.

Matthew Hibbins, president of the Law Institute of Victoria, said Justice Ferguson has been a “role model for what a solicitor on the bench can be” and has inspired “many across the profession”.

“The Chief Justice has been a spearhead for change in the legal profession, including with respect to integrity, courtesy, and, importantly, the elimination of sexual harassment within he profession,” Hibbins said.

“We applaud her leadership of cultural change in the legal profession”.