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New Chief Justice appointed in Tasmania
A new Chief Justice has been appointed to the Supreme Court of Tasmania, in addition to a new puisne judge.
Lauren Croft
The governor has appointed a new Chief Justice, as well as a new puisne judge, to the Supreme Court of Tasmania, following the retirement of the Honourable Justice Alan Blow AO, who served as Chief Justice in the state for more than a decade.
Chris Shanahan SC will commence as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Tasmania on 20 January 2025, and Judge Kate Cuthbertson SC will take up a new position of puisne judge on 3 February.
Shanahan was admitted to the Supreme Court of Western Australia in 1984, the Supreme Court of NSW in 1989, and the High Court of Australia in 1990 before being appointed senior counsel in 2004. He has also recently held roles as acting commissioner of the Corruption and Crime Commission of Western Australia and a senior sessional member of the State Administrative Appeal Tribunal.
Cuthbertson has acted as a judge of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia since August 2024 and was previously a senior counsel, head of chambers and barrister with the Legal Aid Commission of Tasmania.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Guy Barnett welcomed the news and congratulated CJ Shanahan and Judge Cuthbertson on their new appointments.
“These appointments ensure the Supreme Court returns to a full complement of judges and fills the vacancies created by the retirement of Chief Justice Alan Blow AO and the resignation of former puisne judge Gregory Geason,” he said.
“The positions were advertised nationally, and both appointments have been made in line with the protocol for judicial appointments, which includes consultation with key stakeholders. We have continued to strengthen and ensure our legal system is fit for purpose under our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future, and a new Chief Justice will be pivotal in ensuring the ongoing success of this important institution.”
The Attorney-General also thanked Justice Blow for his work and esteemed contribution to Tasmania’s justice system and the wider state.
“Justice Blow has made an immense contribution to Tasmania – he has served as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Tasmania since April 2013, having first been appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court of Tasmania in 2000,” he added.
Lauren Croft
Lauren is a journalist at Lawyers Weekly and graduated with a Bachelor of Journalism from Macleay College. Prior to joining Lawyers Weekly, she worked as a trade journalist for media and travel industry publications and Travel Weekly. Originally born in England, Lauren enjoys trying new bars and restaurants, attending music festivals and travelling. She is also a keen snowboarder and pre-pandemic, spent a season living in a French ski resort.
