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Former NT chief justice named new CDU chancellor
The former chief justice of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory has been appointed as chancellor of Charles Darwin University.
Grace Robbie
Trevor Riley AO KC (pictured) has been named the fifth chancellor of Charles Darwin University (CDU), with his term set to commence on 1 July 2025.
A highly distinguished figure in the Northern Territory, Riley served as the chief justice of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory, a position he was appointed to in September 2010 and held until his retirement in July 2016.
Riley has had a longstanding connection with CDU, having first joined the institution as a part-time lecturer in Civil Procedure in 1991. Over the years, he has remained actively engaged with the university in various capacities, including serving as a Professorial Fellow with the School of Law in 2016.
Beyond his contributions to CDU, Riley has had a distinguished career marked by extensive service to the Northern Territory, contributing significantly through both his legal expertise and governance roles.
He was appointed Queen’s counsel in 1989 and was sworn in as a judge of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory in 1999. Additionally, he served as president of the Northern Territory Bar Association from 1993 to 1997.
Riley has also made significant contributions to community service in the region, having chaired several key organisations, including the Menzies School of Health Research, the Judicial Appointments Panel, and the Northern Territory Electoral Redistribution Committee.
In addition to his leadership roles, he has served as a longstanding member of the St John Ambulance board and contributed his expertise to the AFL Northern Territory appeals board.
Dr Ruth Schubert, chair of the chancellor selection committee, expressed both confidence and enthusiasm regarding Riley’s appointment as chancellor of CBU.
“We welcome Mr Riley as our new chancellor. He was an outstanding candidate and brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the Northern Territory and Charles Darwin University,” Schubert said.
Riley has expressed his deep honour in accepting the role of chancellor and is both eager and fully committed to advancing the growth and development of the university.
“CDU is a vibrant and exciting university. I look forward to working with the vice-chancellor and the university council during these challenging and uncertain times that will concurrently present opportunities for the sector,” Riley said.
“Charles Darwin University is critical for education, training and research in the Northern Territory. It is highly respected within Australia’s degree and vocational education sectors and attracts international students worldwide. I am committed to building on these foundations and ensuring that the university continues its strategic mission.”
Riley will succeed the Honourable Paul Henderson, who has served as chancellor of the university for two terms.
