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Chief Justice Richard Niall welcomed to Victorian Supreme Court
Chief Justice Richard Niall, the 13th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria, has been welcomed in a ceremony that celebrated his decades of “commitment to justice and fairness”.
Naomi Neilson
Image credit: Victorian Supreme Court
Following seven years as a judge of appeal for criminal and civil matters in the Supreme Court’s trial division, Chief Justice Richard Niall stepped into the top job to replace Chief Justice Anne Ferguson.
His career included work as a senior counsel, Queen’s counsel, and two years as Victoria’s solicitor-general prior to joining the bench.
During a welcome ceremony on Tuesday (18 February) morning, the new Chief Justice said it was his job to “foster an environment of excellence” in the court and in his work on Courts Council.
“The judicial function is a human endeavour and, like any human endeavour, perfection is unattainable – but the community should expect excellence,” Chief Justice Niall said.
Speaking on “unsettled times”, Chief Justice Niall added that societies, like those in Victoria, functions best when there are “strong, robust and complementary institutions of government”.
“The continued strength of the judicial brand relies on the pursuit of excellence,” Chief Justice Niall said.
He said he was “optimistic and ambitious” for the future of the court.
“This court [has continued] to sit through calamitous economic times, two World Wars and smaller regional conflicts, and more recently, earlier in this decade, a pandemic. Through each of these challenges, judges of this court continued to serve with distinction.
“It is an institution that is always changing and adapting, but remains consistent with its core values,” Chief Justice Niall said.
In her welcome speech, Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny said Chief Justice Niall has taken his “well-earned place amongst a distinguished group of Victorian jurists”.
“At a time when global institutions are waning, a time when we have so much access to information yet are plagued by misinformation, a time when it seems facts do not get in the way of a good headline, your attributes will be essential,” Kilkenny said.
Justin Hannebery KC, Victorian Bar’s new president, said it “speaks to the magnitude of the role” that there have been so few chief justices in such a long time – starting with William à Beckett in 1852.
“Your Honour now sits at the apex of this system, a daunting concept. That said, no one with any awareness of Your Honour’s personal or professional qualities will have any doubt … [and when] people assemble for the 14th Chief Justice, it will be said Your Honour served in this role with distinction,” Hannebery said.
Hannebery shared some stories of Chief Justice Niall’s early career, including how he would often “walk the fore” as solicitor-general to find out what others were working on, offer advice if asked, “and seek it from your colleagues if required”.
At one point, Chief Justice Niall set up a “chair of outward indignation” where people would sit to “publicly vent” about the hardships or frustrations of their day in court.
Hannebery said it “remains in use to this very day”.
He also shared that in speaking to people ahead of the welcome ceremony, Chief Justice Niall’s “kindness, leadership and generosity … were themes commonly brought up unprompted”.
Matthew Hibbins, president of the Law Institute of Victoria, said he wished Chief Justice Niall a “long and satisfying” career.
He also shared the Federal Court’s Chief Justice Deborah Mortimer – whose career intertwined with Chief Justice Niall – praise of him as both an “outstanding legal think[er]” and a “cunning strategist”.
Hibbins also celebrated Chief Justice Niall’s mentorship and added it was likely he would continue to “mentor many, many more”.
Chief Justice Niall thanked the contributions and work of Chief Justice Anne Ferguson, whose focus on the community during her tenure “served the court through difficult times”.
“I acknowledge in particular all you did to support me,” he said.
Naomi Neilson
Naomi Neilson is a senior journalist with a focus on court reporting for Lawyers Weekly.
You can email Naomi at:
