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First-ever reserve judges appointment to Qld Supreme Court
Two reserve judges have been appointed to the Supreme Court of Queensland, in a first for the court and in a bid to help ease the “growing workload”.
Lauren Croft
The Crisafulli government has appointed the first-ever reserve judges to the Supreme Court of Queensland: the Honourable Robert Gotterson AO KC and the Honourable Philip Morrison KC.
Both judges have previously served on the bench and were appointed on the recommendation of the Attorney-General following consultation with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
Justice Gotterson will fill the role until 27 December 2027, while Justice Morrison has been appointed for five years. These appointments may also lead to additional service on the Court of Appeal and the Mental Health Court.
Justice Morrison retired as a judge of appeal in June last year. He was appointed a judge of the Queensland Court of Appeal in August 2013, then an acting judge of the Supreme Court of Queensland (July 2024 – August 2024) and an acting member of the Mental Health Court (July 2024 – August 2024).
Justice Gotterson was appointed a judge of the Queensland Court of Appeal in April 2012 and was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2014 before retiring as a permanent judge in December 2019.
Attorney-General and Minster for Justice Deb Frecklington said the reserve judge roles were significant appointments and would ease the workload of sitting judges.
“Both appointees are highly regarded former judges of the Supreme Court who are eminently qualified and well suited to these roles. The ability to call on them as reserve judges to address the fluctuating needs of the court will help manage the growing workload of the court,” she said.
“We are fortunate to have the benefit of their vast knowledge and experience on a needs basis, and for that, we are very grateful for their time and service on the bench.”
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.
