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Vic Barrister who helped stop major heritage redevelopment joins Supreme Court
Michelle Quigley QC, who assisted a coalition to oppose the redevelopment of St Heliers villa estate in inner city Melbourne, has been appointed to the Victorian Supreme Court bench.
Melissa Coade
Michelle Quigley’s judicial appointment was announced by Victorian Attorney-General Martin Pakula last month.
An expert in administrative law, including planning and environmental law, land value and acquisition, she was appointed Senior Counsel in 2002.
She previously served as a visiting lecturer in planning law at the University of Melbourne from 1994 to 2006.
Justice Quigley was recognised about 18 years ago in the Public Interest Law Clearing House (PILCH)/Law Foundation Pro Bono Award for her work assisting a community Coalition in opposing the redevelopment of a historically significant site of St Heliers Convent.
The Abbotsford Convent, where St Heliers is located, is located at a juncture where the Yarra River bends. The site has been listed by Heritage Victoria and was added to the National Heritage List last year.
Justice Quigley’s appointment was made following a vacancy created by the appointment of Justice Kim Hargrave to the Court of Appeal.
“Ms Quigley’s far-ranging knowledge of administrative law, and Mr Champion’s experience as Director of Public Prosecutions, will make them invaluable assets for the Supreme Court of Victoria,” Mr Pakula said.
John Champion SC was also named by the AG as a new judge of the Victorian Supreme Court.
The former Victorian Director of Public Prosecutions had served in that capacity since 2011 and previously held the role of in-house counsel at the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions from 1999 to 2005.
“Ms Quigley and Mr Champion each bring a wealth of legal experience to the Supreme Court and I congratulate them on their appointments,” the AG said.
According to a statement issued by the AG, Mr Champion signed the Victorian Bar Roll in 1977 and took silk in 2003.
Prior to his role as Victorian Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Champion specialised in the prosecution of serious criminal cases, including murder, serious drug cases and white collar crime.
A new Director of Public Prosecutions will be appointed early this year.
